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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 soldier uses a ROKS 3 flamethrower (7:48). The film explains that sometimes the Soviets dig assault trenches to provide protection when approaching enemy lines; a soldier throws a grenade from a trench (8:30); the narrator says Communist forces used similar tactics in Korea. A soldier throws an anti-tank grenade; a strong point explodes (9:18). Soldiers are trained to target specific embrasures (battlement openings) as targets. Soviet infantry soldiers crawl forward to capture enemy posts (9:41) while supporting soldiers fire artillery for protection; the infantryman launches a grenade. A diagram of the typical attack pattern: moving squads forward, followed by a platoon with fire, grenades, and a bayonet charge (10:40). Once the soldiers can penetrate the city, each shock group is assigned a specific area (diagram 11:06). T-34 tanks use flamethrowers to support assault troops (11:35). Rifle battalions run through city streets (12:27); narration explains that corner buildings are used as observation sites. A soldier peers around a brick wall and ducks back to avoid an explosion (13:08). A soldier with a rifle lays on a roof (14:06). Question marks show potential enemy hiding places: windows, doors, holes (14:18); soldiers fire light machine guns (15:01). Tanks knock out machine guns and clear paths (15:47). Soldiers use mine detectors attached to rifles (17:30). An engineer digs to clear mines and booby traps (17:36); another engineer plants explosives at an enemy blockade. Narration explains that the Soviets emphasize rapid forward movement, simpler weapons like light machine guns, and continuous assault; they circle each resistance center, then wipe it out. Infantry soldiers climb over a wall (19:16). Soldiers throw grenades and tanks knock out pillboxes and machine gun emplacements (20:09). Narration explains that the Soviets use basic techniques, but tenacious fighting. Soldiers climb stairs to search and take a building (21:01); Soviets are trained to fight with knives or hand-to-hand in close combat (21:21). The film explains how the Soviets hold and defend territory: they set up communication nets defended by rifle companies , bring in heavy weapons, and lay mines; anti-tank positrons are established at street crossings (22:42). Narration says one thing about Soviet tactics is that soldiers will leave positions to meet a counterattack (23:31); it says Soviets are not typically as effective as shown in the training film. The film ends with a recap of Soviet tactics: thorough advance planning, prolonged artillery preparation, narrow advances with assault groups, and strong artillery support.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...