Historic October 15, 1941 photograph showing a Soviet T-34 tank from the 20th Tank Brigade crushing a German 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer under its tracks during the Battle of Moscow.
Soviet T-34 Tank Crushing a German leFH 18 Howitzer Near Moscow (October 15, 1941)
This iconic action photograph from October 15, 1941 captures the intense armored combat during the Battle of Moscow, depicting a Soviet T-34 medium tank resting directly on top of a crushed German 10.5 cm leFH 18 light field howitzer.
Assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion of the Red Army's 20th Tank Brigade, this specific tank overran enemy artillery positions south of Subbotino village (near Vereya), destroying three German howitzers belonging to the 7th Artillery Regiment (7th Infantry Division) during the engagement.
Equipment, Uniforms, and Visual Features
The photograph displays exceptional technical and historical details regarding early-production T-34 tank features and combat ramming action:
- Factory 183 Manufacturing Clues: The welded turret contour, front driver's hatch layout, and gun mantle assembly identify the vehicle as a summer 1941 production model manufactured at Kharkov Plant No. 183 prior to its wartime evacuation.
- Early 1940 Pattern Track Links: The tracks feature the rare early 550 mm wide chevron pattern track links produced starting in September 1940, highly prized by military historians for exact vehicle dating.
- Artillery Ramming Impact: The chassis of the T-34 sits fully elevated over the crushed gun carriage of the 10.5 cm leFH 18. The barrel of the German howitzer protrudes directly beneath the tank's lower front glacis plate.
- Wehrmacht Technical Inspection: German infantrymen and officers climb across the upper hull and open single-piece turret hatch to inspect the disabled Soviet armored vehicle following the clash.
The Defense of the Moscow Approaches in October 1941
During the critical autumn weeks of 1941, independent Soviet tank brigades equipped with T-34 and KV-1 tanks executed aggressive ambush and counter-ramming tactics along the Mozhaisk defense line. By overrunning field artillery emplacements directly, Red Army tank crews disrupted German infantry advance columns despite facing heavy anti-tank fire at close range.
📍 Location: Subbotino / Vereya area, Smolensk/Moscow Region, USSR
📅 Date: October 15, 1941
📷 Photographer: Unknown
📰 Primary Source: Historical Eastern Front armored warfare archive
Recommended reading:
- Early T-34 manufacturing: Production variations of Factory No. 183 in Kharkov during 1941
- Track link evolution: Identification guide for 1940 pattern vs 1941 pattern T-34 track links
- Defense of Moscow: Combat history of the 20th Tank Brigade in the Vereya sector
- German field artillery: Technical specifications and operational deployment of the 10.5 cm leFH 18