Preparation of the Il-2 Sturmovik for a Combat Mission — Southwestern Front, August 1942

July 2, 2025 - Reading time: 2 minutes

A Soviet Il-2 Sturmovik is prepped for a dangerous mission on the Southwestern Front during World War II, with bombs carefully mounted by ground crew. A snapshot of wartime determination in August 1942.

In this intense moment captured during the summer of 1942, a Soviet Il-2 Sturmovik is being prepared for its next combat sortie on the Southwestern Front. Known for its ruggedness and lethal firepower, the Il-2 was a key asset to the Red Army’s air force. The photo shows a ground crew member carefully preparing bombs — likely the AO-50-100SL or the OFAB-100 — to be mounted on the external hardpoints of the aircraft. These bombs would be crucial in neutralizing enemy ground targets, a task the Il-2 excelled at. The Il-2’s unique design, built for durability and efficiency, made it an indispensable tool for close-air support and was feared by German forces on the Eastern Front. The quiet focus of the ground crew contrasts with the violent mission ahead, a small but powerful moment in the broader chaos of war.

Technical photo data:
📍 Location: Southwestern Front, USSR
📅 Date of photo: August 1942