Archive Watch

Soviet Army Assault on Fortifications (1958)

1958 · Short film · 25 min

  • War
Watch now On the Internet Archive

Synopsis

This 1958 training film presented by the United States Army shows footage from a Soviet Army training film called “Soviet Army Assault on Fortifications” produced in Russia during World War II. It demonstrates Red Army tactics, weapons, and combat techniques used in overcoming enemy fortified positions. Narration in Russian is followed by explanations of Soviet tactics in English. Presumably the film was created to educate American forces in Europe about Soviet concepts of combat assault.The film begins with an aerial diagram of a village (1:40) defended by a ring of pillboxes (dug-in blockhouses) and communication trenches, in line with Soviet military doctrine. After testing the area’s defenses with airstrikes, strong points are plotted and the area is mapped (2:24). The village’s defense perimeter, made of earth and timber strong points, is shown (2:48). Soviets fire artillery from a pillbox (3:17). A special assault team hides in a trench (3:30) and puts together de-mining kits. Obstacle-clearing groups and shock groups of men make their way through trenches. A diagram shows a soldier on his stomach raising a rifle to fire, using a concealed route of approach (4:50). Soldiers army crawl on their stomachs through tall grass; the narration says Communist groups in Korea and Indochina were well-trained in approaching strong points (4:56). Soldiers cut barbed wire (5:41). Soviets fire a 76-millimeter regimental gun (5:53); a soldier throws a grenade for smoke cover (7:11). A…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time
25 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

More like this