Red Army computing equipment in World War II: from adding machines to encryption machines
Red Army computing equipment in World War II: from adding machines to encryption machines
Contrary to popular belief, computers in the modern sense were not used on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. However, complex calculations for artillery, aviation, and cryptography were performed using mechanical and electromechanical devices. Let’s look at what computing technologies were used by Soviet troops.
1. Adding machines — «pocket computers» of artillerymen 🧮 The main tool for calculations were mechanical adding machines:
✔ «Felix» — the most common Soviet adding machine (produced since 1929).
✔ «Bystritsa» — an improved model for complex calculations.
How they were used: Calculating the trajectories of shells for artillery. Determining coordinates for aerial bombardment. Logarithmic calculations for engineering troops. Interesting fact: Over 100,000 adding machines were produced during the 4 years of the war — they were considered strategic equipment.
2. Bradis tables and slide rules 📐
Before the advent of electronic calculators, the following were used:
✔ Paper tables (angles, sines/cosines for ballistics).
✔ Slide rules — 3-5 times faster calculations than manual calculations.
Example of use: Calculating a flight mission for Pe-2 bombers. Determining corrections for anti-aircraft guns.
3. Cipher machines — «enigma» in Soviet style 🔐
The following were used to protect radio messages:
✔ M-100 «Spectrum» — a portable electromechanical cipher machine (1943).
✔ KR-600 — a stationary complex for headquarters.
Operating principle: Rotor encryption system (similar to the German «Enigma»). Possibility of changing code tables daily.
Historical background: The capture of German encryption machines in 1941 allowed the Soviet analogues to be improved.
4. Field computing stations 🏕️⚙️
Mobile units were created for complex ballistic calculations:
✔ Artillery computing groups (3-5 people with adding machines).
✔ Aviation navigation calculation centers.
Technical equipment: Special tablets with coordinate grids.
Mechanical integrators for calculating wind corrections.
5. The first vacuum tube «computers» — post-war developments 💡
Although full-fledged computers appeared after the war, prototypes were created:
✔ MESM (Small Electronic Calculating Machine) — 1950, but used wartime developments.
✔ Analog computers for calculating missile trajectories.
Why weren’t there computers in 1941-1945? Priority was given to simple and reliable mechanical solutions. Lack of electronic components (lamps were used for radars).
6. Comparison with Allied and Wehrmacht equipment ⚖️
USSR — Arithmometers, manual calculations, M-100 Germany — «Enigma», Zuse Z3 (proto-computer) USA/UK — Colossus (for breaking codes), mechanical calculators Conclusion: The Soviet Union relied on mass production and simplicity, while Germany invested in complex electromechanical systems.
7. The legacy of military computing 🏛️
Many technologies developed during the war formed the basis for post-war developments:
✔ Transition from mechanical to electronic computing (1950s).
✔ Development of cryptography (Cold War).
✔ The emergence of the first programmable machines.
Modern reconstructions: In the museums of Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can see a working M-100 and wartime arithmometers.
