Soviet 203mm B-4 Howitzer in Action — Sopot, 1945, under Sergeant Shpin's Command
July 26, 2025 - Reading time: 8 minutes

Soviet 203mm B-4 howitzer under the command of Senior Sergeant S. Shpin, firing at German positions in Sopot, March-April 1945.

Soviet 203mm B-4 howitzer firing at German positions in Sopot, March-April 1945, under the command of Senior Sergeant S. Shpin, Red Army artillery in action.

This powerful image shows the crew of the Soviet 203mm B-4 howitzer, a formidable piece of artillery, commanded by Senior Sergeant S. Shpin, as they fire on German positions in the city of Sopot, near Gdansk, during the final days of WWII in March-April 1945. The B-4, officially known as the 203mm howitzer model 1931, was one of the Soviet Union's most powerful artillery pieces during the war, capable of delivering devastating blows to fortified positions and enemy lines.

The B-4 played a crucial role in World War II, particularly in the siege of German fortifications, where its immense firepower was used to destroy enemy bunkers, pillboxes, and tank defenses. This image shows the Soviet crew in action, with the church of the Savior (Kościół Zbawiciela) visible in the background — a poignant symbol of the destruction and liberation during the war.

The B-4 was originally used during the Winter War against Finland to destroy the Mannerheim Line’s defensive structures. By 1945, the howitzer had proven itself as a critical asset in Soviet artillery, especially for breaking German defensive lines. In this photograph, the Soviet artillerymen of the 120th Red Banner Heavy Howitzer Artillery Brigade are executing one of the many attacks that helped secure the final victory over the Wehrmacht.

This iconic image, taken by Yakov Ryumkin, captures the brutality and heroism of World War II, showcasing both the devastating power of the B-4 howitzer and the determination of the Soviet forces.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: pl.wikipedia.org
📍 Location: Sopot, West Prussia, Germany
📅 Date of photo: March-April 1945
📷 Photographer: Yakov Ryumkin

  • Soviet B-4 howitzer

  • 203mm Soviet artillery

  • Senior Sergeant Shpin

  • Soviet heavy artillery

  • German fortifications WWII

  • Soviet Red Army 1945

  • Wehrmacht defensive lines

  • Soviet artillery during WWII

  • B-4 howitzer in action

  • Eastern Front artillery

  • Soviet WWII victory

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