CBC Afghan Armour Scrapyard Photos

[Robert Dabkowski]

Some interesting pics are to be found at:

http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/world/859/

[phoenix]

I love photos of graveyards like that.

There is still a lot of useful armour in there though!!

[maple_leaf_eh]

I had a chance to visit this collection point a few weeks ago. It is controlled by the US trainers. We needed a guide who had the key to the gate. Although the Afghans "own" the vehicles, the ordinary ANA soldiers have no experience with armour. Our guide warned us that although the area had been cleared of UXOs, the mine threat remains - that and spiders, snakes and scorpions.

The tanks were T54s, T55s and T62s (with the chin armour add-on). There were BTR 60s, BMPs of several sorts, a BMP version with a 25mm ('ish) cannon, ZSU-23-4s, several Ural truck Multiple Barrel Rocket launcher variants, a few FROG launchers, plenty of towed artillery, small AA gun mounts, and every recce-man's favourite the BRDM. The hatches were all open and filth was accumulating. Every vehicle had a stamped and painted ID number for this particular collection point.

The scene was depressing and intriguing. Sad because years ago each of those vehicles was carefully and tirelessly maintained to a high standard. Some conscript was no doubt beaten by a senior sergeant for not wiping off a grease stain somewhere. To see the energy now wasted was depressing. On the other hand, the chance to actually see vehciles that many MLU forum members learned about killing, was interesting.

The most unusual thing I saw was the cut off gas cylinder from an M1 Garand, settling into the mud. I had expected to see more small arms, but this dump had only a "small" mound of cut up bits and pieces.

[Stuart Kirkham]

Heres a couple more...