Soviet T-40 Amphibious Light Tank in Spring 1941

October 31, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Soviet T-40 amphibious light tank, photographed in spring 1941 before the start of major hostilities.

Soviet T-40 amphibious light tank photographed in 1941 by Margaret Bourke-White.

This photograph shows a Soviet T-40 amphibious light tank in spring 1941, captured by Margaret Bourke-White shortly before the outbreak of large-scale combat on the Eastern Front.

The T-40 was a Soviet light amphibious tank, designed in 1939 as part of the Red Army’s reconnaissance and support forces. Its key feature was the ability to float and cross water obstacles, thanks to its sealed hull and water-propulsion system. However, in actual wartime conditions, this capability proved to be of limited practical use, as Soviet units rarely had the operational support or situational stability to employ amphibious maneuvers effectively.

By the time this photograph was taken in 1941, the T-40 was already facing evolving battlefield realities. Its thin armor and light armament were insufficient against rapidly advancing German armored formations. As a result, production of the T-40 ceased in December 1941, and it was replaced by the T-60, a simplified model based on the same design but without amphibious systems. The removal of flotation gear allowed more armor to be added, increasing battlefield survivability.

Approximately 722 T-40 tanks were built, making them relatively uncommon compared to other Soviet armored vehicles produced during the war. Nonetheless, they played a notable role during the early defensive operations of 1941, particularly in reconnaissance and convoy escort missions.