The victors in history’s greatest clash of arms.
The Red Army of World War II, or the “Great Patriotic War” as the Soviets called it, was a combined arms force consisting of the complete range of military branches: infantry, armor, artillery, engineers and technical services. The combat power of all Soviet military branches was vital to winning history’s greatest clash of arms, the June 1941- May 1945 Eastern Front war that pitted Nazi Germany and its allies against the Soviet Union. Yet the infantry units, manned by Red Army riflemen, bore the greatest com bat burden and suffered the largest share of the war’s horrific casualties. Historians calculate that Soviet military losses were 9 million to 14 million dead, 22 million wounded, and over 5 million captured (3 million of those died in captivity).
Red Army riflemen typically were armed with 7.62 mm M91/30 Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifles or 7.62 mm PPSh-41/43 submachine guns. Infantry support weapons included 7.62 mm DP-28 Degtyaryov light machine guns, 7.62 mm Maxim PM-1910/30 heavy machine guns, and light, medium and heavy mortars.
The tactics the riflemen used depended on the specific battle field situation, but they proved particularly adept at urban combat (e.g., Battle of Stalingrad, Battle of Berlin). During the Eastern Front’s mobile campaigns, they employed desantniki (“those who descend”) tactics, which entailed keeping pace with the rapidly advancing spearheads by riding on top of the Soviet tanks and then dismounting to engage the enemy in ground combat.
Like Soviet weapons, Red Army uniforms were plain yet rugged and functional. During harsh Russian winters, soldiers were issued thick wool greatcoats, cotton-padded quilted jackets (telogreiki), oversized felt boots (valenki), and wool/fur hats with earflaps (ushanki). This combination prevented cold weather injuries and kept Red Army soldiers warm and combat ready in the bitterest of temperatures – unlike their inadequately dressed German opponents.
Red Army rations were Spartan by Western standards, consisting of black bread, cabbage soup (shchi) and boiled buckwheat (kasha), which was enthusiastically supplemented with Lend-Lease Spam. Soldiers washed down this monotonous diet with tea (chai).
Over 40 million men (and 800,000 women) served in the Soviet military during the war, with the highest percentage of them in the Red Army’s 450 rifle divisions, which numbered 10,000 to 14,000 men each. These frontoviki (nickname for veteran front-line riflemen, similar to America’s “GIs”) endured horrific combat, appalling losses, miserable weather conditions and incredible hardships. Yet they were Great Warriors who persevered to lead the resurgent Red Army to final victory in May 1945.
Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, “Armchair General” Editor in Chief
Originally published in the November 2014 issue of Armchair General.
