Red Army Armoured Vehicles, 1930–1945 (Images of War)

In the Soviet Union during the 1930s, a fascinating array of auxiliary armored vehicles were developed for the Red Army, but they have often been overlooked. Alexey Tarasov’s photo history serves as the perfect guide to these vehicles, showcasing their diversity and innovative designs that highlight the creativity of the Soviet arms industry. These included armored flails, ambulances, bridge-layers, flame-throwers, and amphibious cars, which foreshadowed similar designs created by Western engineers during World War II. The rare photographs presented in Tarasov’s work demonstrate that Soviet designers were, in many ways, ahead of their time. However, due to shortsighted internal policy and issues within the Soviet industry, many of the promising projects were either cancelled or delayed, leaving the Red Army lacking the necessary auxiliary armor to halt the German advance during Operation Barbarossa in 1941.

Through his in-depth research and compilation of rare photographs, Tarasov provides a captivating glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of Soviet armored vehicles history. This offers a valuable insight into the technological advancements of the Soviet Union and the missed opportunities that could have potentially changed the course of history.

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