A Soviet 120-mm regimental mortar battery is firing at German positions. Stalingrad battlefield, January 22, 1943.

120-mm mortar fire

VVS ace Alexey Maresyev.

At the beginning of the war Alexey was shot down and lost both legs, but was determined to return to the air force. 

It was unthinkable and unprecedented. To convince medical examiners that he could fly, he learned how to dance waltz. Despite all odds and regulations, he returned to flying and became an ace with 11 confirmed kills. 

Ace without legs

Anti-aircraft giunners on the roof of Moscow’s central Hotel “Moskva”.