Soviet Tanks BT-7 and T-34 Ambushing German Columns, Moscow Region, November 1941

August 24, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Soviet BT-7 and T-34 tanks in winter camouflage ambush German columns near Moscow, November 1941.

This dramatic wartime photograph depicts Soviet tanks of the 1st Guards Motorized Rifle Moscow Division lying in ambush for German Wehrmacht columns advancing on the Soviet capital during November 1941. In the foreground, a nimble BT-7 light tank can be seen, while a medium T-34 tank is positioned behind it, both painted in winter camouflage to blend with the snow-covered terrain.

The ambush reflects the Soviet strategy of using mobility, camouflage, and terrain advantage to slow the German advance during the critical defensive battles near Moscow. The BT-7, known for its speed, allowed rapid repositioning, while the T-34 provided superior armor and firepower, forming a deadly combination against the enemy.

This image captures both the tactical ingenuity and the determination of Red Army armored units during one of the harshest winters of the Great Patriotic War. It symbolizes the fierce resistance that ultimately helped to halt the Wehrmacht’s push toward Moscow, demonstrating the resilience and courage of Soviet tank crews under extreme conditions.

Technical Photo Data:

📝 Source of information: Pravda newspaper, No. 361 (8769), December 29, 1941
📍 Location: Moscow Region, USSR
📅 Date of photo: November 1941
📷 Photographer: Unknown

• Soviet BT-7 T-34 ambush Moscow 1941
• Red Army armored winter operations
• 1st Guards Motorized Rifle Division tanks
• Wehrmacht advance Moscow defense
• T-34 heavy armor winter camouflage
• BT-7 light tank mobility
• Soviet tank tactics Eastern Front
• Moscow region Red Army 1941
• WWII Soviet armored engagement
• Winter 1941 Soviet tank ambush