Soviet 76 mm Divisional Gun in Action – Summer 1942

June 7, 2025 - Reading time: 3 minutes

Historic photo of a Soviet 76 mm divisional gun M1939 (USV) firing at enemy positions during WWII. Captured in summer 1942 on the Southwestern Front by photographer Alexander Ustinov.

A moment frozen in the fury of war — Soviet artillerymen in the thick of battle, operating the powerful 76 mm divisional gun M1939 (USV). This iconic weapon, a staple of the Red Army’s field artillery, is seen in full action as smoke swirls around the crew on the Southwestern Front in 1942.

The crew, commanded by Sergeant V. Gonoshelin, operates under intense pressure. Each man is armed not only with the steel resolve of Soviet resistance, but also with 7.62 mm Mosin–Nagant rifles — reliable personal weapons that served millions of Red Army soldiers throughout the war.

This image, first published in the Soviet newspaper "Pravda" on June 30, 1942, captures both the violence of war and the unyielding spirit of those who fought it. Amid trees and smoke, one can almost hear the thunder of the gun, feel the tension in every motion, and witness the raw determination etched on each soldier’s face.

Photo details:
📍 Location: Soviet Union
📆 Date: 1942
📸 Photographer: Alexander Ustinov
📰 Source: Pravda, Issue №181 (8952), June 30, 1942