[Coming soon] The cruiser “Maxim Gorky”: life in motion

The light cruiser is created for energetic battle – powerful guns, excellent maneuverability and good defense – “Maxim Gorky” is always on the edge of the Allied attack!

Historical note

The light cruiser “Maxim Gorky” was laid down at the end of 1936 under the improved Project 26, which was used to build the “Kirov” class cruisers. The ship was launched less than 1.5 years after the start of construction.

“Maxim Gorky” took an active part in the battles of WW2. From the first day of the war it was a participant of the barrage in the Gulf of Finland, where it received its first serious wound. Then she distinguished herself during the defense of Leningrad, where it was under repair, but actively helped the defenders of the city to fight off the advancing enemy. It was again damaged, this time by air raids, and was again sent for repair. It participated in breaking the blockade of Leningrad, and then supported the Red Army offensive with artillery fire on the fortifications of the Mannerheim line.

For courage and tactical prowess, the cruiser “Maxim Gorky” was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In the post-war years “Maxim Gorky” was decommissioned in 1956, and in 1959 was dismantled for its metal.

So, the “Maxim Gorky” Rank II Soviet light cruiser is in focus. Let's try to understand what are its features, advantages and disadvantages for this new Soviet ship!

Maxim Gorky (Rank II)

As on the “Kirov”, the deck of the “Maxim Gorky” has 9 guns of 180 mm caliber in three turrets, more than serious armament for a light cruiser. The auxiliary armament of the ship is 6 x 100 mm universal guns, an excellent weapon for a light cruiser. Finally, the anti-aircraft artillery is represented by 45-mm guns and large-caliber machine guns for short-range defense.

The defense of the ship, as well as its armament, can also be attributed to some transitional class between light and heavy cruisers. The thickness of the armor is enough to not only fight any light cruiser on the enemy team on equal terms, but even resist early heavy cruisers at long ranges. A fairly large crew is also a plus to the survivability parameter.

Powerful armament and good armor in this case do not reduce the performance qualities – “Maxim Gorky” is easy to control, gaining maximum speed promptly and is able to operate in a group of light cruisers, not inferior to them in dynamics.

The decent mobility of the cruiser, multiplied by high survivability and excellent firepower, suggests an active use of the cruiser. It must fight while maneuvering, dodging fire, and at the same time inflict the maximum possible damage to the most dangerous opponents of the enemy team. Although it takes longer to reload the 180mm guns than other light cruisers, the damage of the "Maxim Gorky" is noticeably higher!