Soviet troops in snow camouflage, 1942 (c)

Photograph, World War Two, Eastern Front (1941-1945), 1942 (c).

Snow-camouflage coveralls were widely issued to Red Army soldiers during the winter. Unlike their German opponents, the Red Army was well equipped to withstand the severe Russian winter and trained to use the conditions to its advantage. During the defence of Moscow in December 1941 Siberians who were used to operating in bitter weather played a key role in pushing the Germans back from the Soviet capital.

From a collection of 147 official photographs.