Yes, the Soviet Anti-Tank Rifles DID kill tanks. Frequently. How? Okay, read on.
First, as noted, there were lots of them. Also as others have posted, they were somewhat accurate. The rifles were issued and used by special platoons using 3 ATR's per platoon. Sometimes entire Anti-Tank Rifle Regiments were fielded.
Now as to how they killed tanks. Looking at my copies of Jentz's works on the development of the Panther, the main reason cited for the skirts above the road wheels was that the Soviet 14.5mm round PENETRATED the hull at this location. (Thin armor, vertical angle.) The roadwheels protected it below, the angle and thickness above was adequate as well.
Von Mellenthin gives reference to how readily the ATR's damaged/destroyed lighter AFV's, especially half-tracks.
As for vision blocks (doctrinally one of the prime aim points), imagine you're a tank commander. First off, if you're not buttoned up, you just lost half your skull to a 14.5 mm round (Urrah, and an extra portion of vodka comrade). So, you're buttoned up and you've got your face pressed up to your vision block. POWW!! Impact by a 14.5mm round. It drives the vision block back into your head. What happens? One or both of your eyeballs explode; your nose breaks; you suffer a concussion; the fore portion of your skull gets driven into your occipital lobe; the vision block holders give way and the entire vision block apparatus lodges in your brain. Get the picture?
For the gunner with his eye pressed against the telescopic sight, the same held true. Kind of hard to aim with your eyeball on the floor of the turret. If that didn't happen, the sight would be knocked out of true, rendering any kind of aimed fire all but impossible. The tank would have to retire, install its backup optics (availability is an issue), sight in, and find the battle again.
How about a dented barrel?
Yes, the ATR teams needed to be relatively close to get good accuracy. Yes, they needed good nerves. The Soviets created teams which exhibited these abilities.
Ken
