Soviet use of rifles

[Helmut]

Servus,
In pictures of Soviet troops in WWII, those taken at the beginning of the war show the preponderance of troops carrying the Noisin Nagant (sp?) rifle. Pictures from about 1943 onward show most Soviet troops carrying a submachine gun. Did the Soviets discontinue carrying the rifle in favor of the increased firepower of the SMG? I just don't see any pictures of the rifles later in the war.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Helmut

[Simon H]

I think you've answered your own question. The Soviets didn't completely discontinue issuing the Mosin 91/30 later in the war, but they did realise that giving the infantryman an advantage in firepower over their adversary paid dividends. The Germans soon realised this also, hence the development in G41/G43 semi automatic rifles and the MP43/44 later on.

[Helmut]

Simon,

Thanks for your response. Do you happen to know what the ration of rifles to SMGs was later in the war? I know they had to have ad "riflemen" to get the range that the SMG just doesn't give.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Regards,

Helmut