Captured German StuG III Assault Gun in Soviet Service, Kharkov 1942

August 25, 2025 - Reading time: 3 minutes

Captured German StuG III Ausf. B used by Soviet tankers near Kharkov, May 1942.

Captured German StuG III Ausf. B assault gun in Soviet service near Kharkov, May 1942, during the Eastern Front battles.

This photograph shows Soviet tankers examining and preparing to operate a captured German StuG III Ausf. B assault gun in the spring of 1942, during the fighting near Kharkov. Unlike later versions, this early StuG III was armed with a short-barreled gun, primarily intended for infantry support rather than tank combat.

The assault gun likely belonged to the 214th Assault Gun Battalion of the Wehrmacht and was captured on May 14, 1942, by soldiers of the 5th Guards Tank Brigade. The Soviet crew quickly repurposed the vehicle, reflecting the Red Army’s adaptability and resourcefulness in the midst of the intense battles on the Southwestern Front.

The Kharkov operations of May 1942 were among the most dramatic episodes of the Eastern Front, with heavy losses for both sides. This image not only highlights the fierce fighting but also the unusual sight of German armored vehicles pressed into service under the Red Banner.

Technical photo data
📝 Source of information: Andrey Galushko & Maksim Kolomiets, Battles for Kharkov, May 1942
📍 Location: Eastern Ukraine, USSR
📅 Date of photo: May 1942
📷 Photographer: Unknown