Soviet infantrymen with the support of T-34 tanks, are fighting for one of the villages in the Lviv, western Ukraine area.

Fighting for a village

The future Soviet fighter ace as a dashing young lieutenant, 1941.  He appears to be smoking a "papirosa" cigarette, a popular gasper in the Soviet Union at the time, incorporating a cardboard temporary cigarette holder, not to mention tobacco that was nothing if not strong.  What they incorporated for his lung function is something else - but he did survive the war, and live to the pretty decent age of 72.  Best regards, JR.

First Lieutenant Alexandr Pokryshkin, 1941.

Soviet mortar crew with model 1938 120-mm regimental mortar in the position on the Kursk front. (1943).