Artillerymen of the Soviet 2nd Guards Taman Division After the Defeat of Nazi Germany, May 1945

November 12, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Soviet artillerymen of the 2nd Guards Taman Division in Germany after the defeat of Nazi Germany, May 1945.

Group portrait of Soviet artillerymen and officers from the 2nd Guards Taman Division in Germany after the defeat of Nazi Germany, May 1945.

This photograph captures a group portrait of Soviet soldiers and officers from the artillery units of the 2nd Guards Taman Division of the Red Army, taken in Germany at the end of May 1945, shortly after the final defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.

The Taman Division, one of the Red Army’s most decorated formations, had a distinguished combat history. It participated in the liberation of the Taman Peninsula in 1943 — from which it took its honorary title — and went on to fight in some of the fiercest operations of the war, including the battles for Crimea, the Vistula–Oder offensive, and the final push into Germany.

In this image, the artillerymen pose together, their expressions reflecting a rare moment of peace after years of relentless combat. Their uniforms are worn, but their bearing remains proud. Behind them lies the devastated landscape of a defeated Germany — a backdrop that underscores the cost and the scale of their victory.

The artillery branch played a decisive role in the Soviet war effort, often referred to as the “God of War” for its devastating firepower and precision. The men of the Taman Division’s artillery regiments supported armored and infantry advances, broke through fortified German positions, and provided continuous fire support during the Red Army’s westward march.

By May 1945, these soldiers had not only survived some of the hardest campaigns of the war but also witnessed the total collapse of the enemy they had fought for four long years. This photograph stands as a tribute to their endurance, sacrifice, and the pride of victory earned through unimaginable struggle.

Technical Photo Data:
📍 Location: Germany
📅 Date: May 1945
📝 Subject: Soviet artillerymen and officers of the 2nd Guards Taman Division after victory in Europe
📷 Photographer: Unknown