Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front, 1941-1942: Schwerpunkt

Since standard German anti-tank weapons of 1941 could not penetrate the KV-1’s thick armor, except at point-blank range, German units concentrated their fire against the running gear. The hull of this KV-1 has at least four medium-caliber anti-tank round hits, which failed to penetrate, but a large-caliber artillery round, either 10.5cm or 15cm, has damaged the track. (Ian Barter)

A KV-1 heavy tank from the 124th Armored Brigade ambushed a German column northeast of Ivanovka on 9 October 1941. This burning 8.8cm flak gun and its Sd.Kfz.7 were destroyed before they had a chance to deploy. While the 8.8cm gun could defeat the KV-1, it took ten minutes to get into action – which was an eternity in tank warfare. (Author)

Soviet tankers examine a Pz.38(t) light tank from the 7.Panzer-Division, abandoned near Yartsevo. This tank appears to have run out of fuel, which was a common predicament for German tankers in the summer of 1941. (Author)

The onset of mud slowed down, but did not stop, German operations. Normally German panzer units were way ahead of the foot-slogging infantry, so this is probably taken during the redeployment phase prior to Operation Typhoon, in mid-September 1941. (Ian Barter)

Soviet T-26 light tanks lead Timoshenko’s counterattacks during the fighting near Smolensk in August 1941. Note that it is broad daylight and that there does not appear to be any artillery support, which made this type of attack little more than target practice for the German panzerjägers. (Author)

A Pz.III medium tank from 10.Panzer-Division, knocked out near Skirminova, east of Volokolamsk in mid-November 1941. Soviet resistance stiffened outside Moscow and the panzer units began to suffer their first heavy losses. This panzer crewman has suffered a tanker’s fate, being burnt to death. (RIAN Novosti, #884162)

The last stage of Operation Typhoon began with German panzers attempting to batter their way through Rokossovsky’s final layer of defense outside Moscow. Note that the German crewmen have overcoats, but no other winter gear. (Ian Barter)

A Soviet white-washed T-34 in hull-down position awaits the German panzers, near Volokolamsk, November 1941. The Soviets are watching the break in the woods, which is where German armour is expected to appear. The T-34 will probably begin the engagement at a range of 500 meters. (Author)