Historical photograph by Kuramshin from early April 1945 depicting the officers of the 88th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment posing with one of the regiment's remaining IS-2 heavy tanks near Küstrin before the Berlin operation.
Command Staff of the 88th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment with an IS-2 Heavy Tank (April 1945)
This remarkable archival photograph, taken by military correspondent Kuramshin in early April 1945, captures the entire command staff of the Soviet 88th Separate Guards Heavy Tank Regiment lined up in front of an IS-2 heavy tank in a forest staging area near Küstrin.
The image holds profound historical significance: following grueling combat during the Vistula-Oder and East Pomeranian offensives, this vehicle was one of only two surviving IS-2 tanks remaining in the entire regiment prior to receiving fresh factory replacements for the Berlin Offensive.
Identified Personnel
The group portrait preserves the identities of key senior officers who led the elite breakthrough formation (pictured left to right):
- Maj. N. P. Romanchenko: Deputy Regimental Commander for Technical Affairs.
- Maj. N. V. Shiroky: Chief of Staff of the Regiment.
- Col. P. G. Mzhachikh: Commander of the 88th Separate Guards Heavy Tank Regiment.
- Maj. F. M. Zharkoy: Deputy Regimental Commander.
- Maj. L. A. Glushkov: Deputy Regimental Commander for Political Affairs.
- Maj. V. M. Khaykin: Deputy Regimental Commander for Logistics and Supply.
- Seated on the IS-2 Armor: Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. I. German alongside crew members.
Combat Strain and Re-equipment Before Berlin
Operating powerful 122mm D-25T main guns, IS-2 tanks were deployed to shatter heavily fortified enemy defensive belts. The attrition suffered across Poland meant that by April 1945, the 88th Guards had been reduced to a fraction of its armor strength, with Col. Mzhachikh's command tank serving as a rare survivor.
In the weeks immediately following this photograph, the regiment received a full complement of new IS-2 tanks, spearheading the assault across the Seelow Heights and into the central districts of Berlin.
📍 Location: Küstrin area (Kostrzyn nad Odrą), Germany
📅 Date: Early April 1945
📷 Photographer: Kuramshin (Military Press Corps)
📰 Primary Source: Soviet Guards Armored Units Historical Archives
Recommended reading:
- The IS-2 Heavy Tank in 1945: Technical features, 122mm armament, and armor protection
- The 88th Separate Guards Heavy Tank Regiment: From the Vistula to the Reichstag
- Armored Attrition in the Vistula-Oder Operation: Logistics, repair, and replacement schedules
- The Staging at Küstrin: Preparing heavy armor for the battle of the Seelow Heights