Fallen Soviet 50 mm mortar crew beside a Model 1938 infantry mortar in a forward defensive position on the Eastern Front, 1941–1942.
Soviet 50 mm Mortar Crew
This wartime photograph shows the fallen crew of a Soviet 50 mm Model 1938 infantry mortar during a defensive engagement on the Eastern Front. Based on the uniforms, equipment, and visible weapons, the image most likely dates to the period between August 1941 and mid-1942, when Red Army units were engaged in heavy defensive fighting following the German invasion of the Soviet Union.
The Model 1938 Infantry Mortar
The weapon visible in the photograph is the 50 mm Model 1938 infantry mortar. Several characteristic features can be identified, including the protective leather sleeve around the barrel, the distinctive range-adjustment cylinder near the base, the oval baseplate, and the bipod assembly. The mortar appears to have shifted from its original position after the crew was incapacitated.
The barrel is elevated at approximately 75 degrees, corresponding to relatively short firing distances of roughly 200 to 450 meters. Such firing settings were commonly used to support infantry during close-range combat.
Equipment Visible in the Photograph
To the right of the mortar lies the gunner, while the assistant is visible on the opposite side. Near the assistant rests a SSh-36 steel helmet, recognizable by its distinctive flared sides. The leather liner and chinstrap remain clearly visible inside the helmet. Several additional items scattered around the mortar may be parts of the transport harness or other equipment carried by the crew.
Dating the Photograph
Several details help establish the approximate date of the image. The absence of shoulder boards on the uniforms, the presence of the SSh-36 helmet, and the use of the Model 1938 mortar all indicate the early period of the German-Soviet War, making a date between 1941 and mid-1942 the most likely.
Photo Details
- Location: USSR
- Date: August 1941–mid-1942 (approx.)
- Photographer: Unknown (Soviet or German war correspondent)
Recommended Reading
- Soviet 50 mm Model 1938 infantry mortar
- Red Army infantry weapons of 1941
- SSh-36 steel helmet
- Defensive battles on the Eastern Front in 1941–1942