Soviet Forces

Storming a building, 1943

These soldiers belonged to a special 1st Assault Brigade in the reserve of Supreme Command, they were an excellently equipped unit and were used to break through especially well fortified enemy positions; they were the only Red Army unit equipped with steel vests; later on, besides regular weapons like smg's, grenades, flamethrowers - flamethrowing and engineering tanks became also available and used. (maladetts)