ICM WW2 Soviet assault engineer-sapper

In 1943, the Red Army began forming special pioneer and sapper brigades. The main tasks of these formations included offensive operations in cities and breakthroughs into heavily fortified enemy defensive positions. A distinctive feature of the assault brigades was the equipment of fighters with special steel chest armor that protected soldiers from small arms fire, automatic weapons, and small shrapnel. The most experienced and physically strongest soldiers were selected as part of the storm troops. The personnel of the storm troops underwent special training that included close combat and the ability to use explosives. Additionally, the pioneers employed flamethrowers, which were particularly effective in close combat. These units were also characterized by a high saturation of automatic weapons such as PPSh and PPS submachine guns, as well as light machine guns.