Attack and Retreat (Italiani brava gente)
Original Italian Poster
Attack and Retreat (original Italian title Italiani brava gente (literally "Italians are good people"), Russian title Oni shli na vostok ("They went to the East") is a 1964 Italian-Soviet war drama directed by Giuseppe De Santis. The film depicts the story of Italian soldiers of Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia who fought on the Eastern Front along with Wehrmacht until the bitter end during the Battle of Stalingrad.
The following weapons were used in the film Attack and Retreat (Italiani brava gente) :
Pistols
Beretta M1934
Beretta M1934 pistols are service sidearms of Italian officers, including Col. Sermonti (Andrea Checchi ) and Lt. Giuliani (Valeri Somov ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Beretta Model 1934 - .380 ACP
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lt. Giuliani's holster.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Giuliani draws his pistol.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Beretta is seen at the right in hands of another officer.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Col. Sermonti draws his pistol during the conflict with a German officer.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Giuliani holds the Beretta, stopping his soldiers from desertion.
Luger P08
A Luger P08 is a personal weapon of Maj. Ferro Maria Ferri (Arthur Kennedy ). A German officer holds a Luger P08 pistol in one scene.
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Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German officer raises his P08.
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Error creating thumbnail: File missing Maj. Ferri fires the Luger.
Submachine Guns
Beretta Model 38A
Soldiers of "Blackshirts" unit and Maj. Ferri's "Arditi" (shock troops) are armed with Beretta Model 38A submachine guns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Beretta Model 38A - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A "Blackshirt" holds the Beretta Model 38A.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Blackshirts" in attack.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Blackshirts" cross the river.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing "Arditi" stand in formation, raising ceremonial daggers in fascist salute.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An "Arditi" carries ammunition box.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier fires his SMG in a futile attempt to repel the attack of Soviet cavalry unit.
MP40
Numerous German soldiers carry MP40s . MP40s are also used by Soviet partisans.
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Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German Feldwebel (Boris Belyakov ) holds the MP40.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier with MP40.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet partisan (Ivan Savkin ) holds the MP40.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German deserter (Ivan Paramonov) holds the MP40.
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PPSh-41
Soviet tank crewmembers fire PPSh-41 SMGs when their T-34 counterattacks Italian troops in Summer 1941. Many Soviet soldiers and partisans are armed with PPSh-41s in the scene in Winter 1941/42 and during the Battle of Stalingrad.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A T-34 crewmember fires through the open front hatchway.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A female partisan (Elza Lezhdey ) carries the PPSh.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Partisans raise their SMGs in air.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A partisan fires the PPSh.
Rifles
Czech Mauser Vz. 33 (Mocked up as Carcano M91/38 Short Rifle)
Most Italian soldiers, including Pvt. Gabrielli (Raffaele Pisu ), Sanna (Riccardo Cucciolla ), Bazzocchi (Lev Prygunov ), Collodi (Gino Pernice ), and Sgt. Manfredonia (Nino Vingelli ) are armed with Mauser rifles, fitted with fake Mannlicher-style magazines that gives the rifles a distant resemblance with Carcano M91/38 Short Rifle . The Mausers are supposed to be Czech Vz. 33 carbines thought the sights seem slightly different.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Czech vz. 16/33 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Carcano M91/38 - 6.5x52mm, for comparision
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A perfect view of fake Mannlicher magazine.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A close view of the bolt and fake magazine. Note the groove on the stock.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A good view of the top barrel band and the front sight of Bazzocchi's rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Manfredonia (Nino Vingelli ) holds the rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier fires his rifle in action.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Bazzocchi (Lev Prygunov ) aims.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A good view of rear sight of Sgt. Manfredonia's rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gabrielli (Raffaele Pisu ) holds the rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier tries to reload the frozen rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Artillerymen at the gun.
Mosin Carbine (Mocked up as Carcano M91/38 Cavalry Carbine)
Italian soldiers also use Mosin Nagant M1938 (or M1944) carbines, mocked up as the Carcano M91/38 Cavalry Carbines . The typical folding bayonets of Carcano carbines seem to be permanently fixed to the barrels.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Carcano M91/38 Cavalry Carbine with folded bayonet - 6.5x52mm, for comparision
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A wounded soldier drops his carbine.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier fires carbine.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A good view of the carbine.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The carbine is seen at the background.
Mauser 98AZ
A Mauser 98AZ carbine is seen in one scene.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mauser 98AZ Artillery Carbine - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier in the boat carries the 98AZ carbine.
Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine
Many Soviet soldiers are armed with Mosin Nagant M1938 carbines.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier with M38 Carbine in trench.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M38 Carbine on snow.
Machine Guns
Breda Modello 30
Italian infantry use Breda Modello 30 light machine guns.
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Error creating thumbnail: File missing Breda Modello 30 on battlefield.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Manfredonia (Nino Vingelli ) holds the Modello 30.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Manfredonia carries the machine gun in attack.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of Modello 30 in action.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Italian soldiers fire Modello 30 and Modello 37 machine guns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier carries Modello 30 on march.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier picks up a stripper clip for Modello 30.
Breda Modello 37
Breda Modello 37 machine guns are also used by Italians.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Breda Modello 37 - 8x59mm RB Breda
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Modello 37 provides a fire support for river crossing.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Italian soldiers fire Modello 30 and Modello 37 machine guns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Modello 37 in action.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Dead gunner hext to his machine gun.
MG34
During the Battle of Stalingrad Italian soldiers use German MG34 machine guns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MG34 with front and rear sights folded down - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier fires the MG34.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Dead gunners on position in a house.
Degtyaryov DP-27
During the Italian attack on the bridge in Summer 1941 Soviet soldiers use the Degtyaryov DP-27 light machine gun. DP-27s are also seen during the Soviet offensive at Stalingrad.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Degtyaryov DP-27 machine gun - 7.62x54mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The defenders of the bridge fire DP-27 (left) and Maxim (right).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A T-34 crewmember fires the infantry DP-27 through the open front hatchway.
Maxim M1910/30
During the Italian attack on the bridge in Summer 1941 Soviet soldiers also use the Maxim M1910/30 machine gun. Maxims are also seen during the Soviet offensive at Stalingrad. In one scene a Maxim is seen in Italian trench (correct enough as Italian troops often used captured Soviet weapons that were better fit for Russian winter).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Russian Maxim 1910/30 machine gun - 7.62x54mmR
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The defenders of the bridge fire DP-27 (left) and Maxim (right).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The supposed Maxim is seen in Italian trench.
Goryunov SGMT
Goryunov SGMT machine gun is front mounted on AT-P armoured artillery tractor, visually modified as an Italian tank.
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Other Weapons
SRCM Mod. 35
Italian soldiers use SRCM Mod. 35 hand grenades.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing SRCM Mod. 35 High-Explosive hand grenade.
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Error creating thumbnail: File missing An Italian soldier uses the grenade during the battle in Summer 1941.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Giuseppe Sanna (Riccardo Cucciolla ) readies the grenade...
Error creating thumbnail: File missing ...and throws it.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A pair of grenades on the snow.
7.5 cm Pak 40
Several abandoned 7.5 cm Pak 40 AT guns are seen during the retreat of German and Italian troops.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun - 75x714mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Pak 40 is seen at the background.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 52-K AA guns and Pak 40 AT guns are seen on snow-covered field.
Tokarev TT-33
A TT-33 is briefly seen in hands of a Soviet officer during Soviet offensive at Stalingrad. The scene is a footage from 1949 film The Battle of Stalingrad (Stalingradskaya bitva), Part II .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Pre-1947 version.
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Mosin Nagant M1891/30
Soviet soldiers with Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles are seen in documentary footage of the Soviet offensive at Stalingrad.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soviet soldiers with PPSh-41 SMGs and M91/30 rifles in attack.
45 mm anti-tank gun M1937 (53-K)
Several 53-K AT guns are seen during Soviet offensive at Stalingrad. The scene is a footage from 1949 film The Battle of Stalingrad (Stalingradskaya bitva), Part II .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1937 (53-K) Soviet anti-tank gun - 45 mm (1.77 in)
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soviet troops deploy 45mm AT guns in center and at the left.
Trivia
76.2mm M1927 Regimental Gun
Soviet 76.2mm M1927 regimental guns stand for Italian field artillery.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A cannon on position.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A closeup. The Italian words mean "Believe, obey, fight".
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Artillerymen fire the cannon.
85mm AA gun M1939 (52-K)
Soviet 85mm AA guns 52-K are seen in the final scene, standing for abandoned German 88mm guns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 85mm Air Defense Gun M1939 (52-K) - 85x629mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 52-K AA guns and Pak 40 AT guns are seen on snow-covered field.
Field cannons
Several abandoned field cannons of WW1 vintage are seen in the final scene.
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T-34
T-34-85 tanks, anachronistic for 1941-1942, are seen in several scenes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Italian soldiers approach to damaged Soviet tank.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing T-34-85 in attack.
T-34-76 tanks are seen in documentary footage.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A T-34-76 in attack.
T-34 (visually modified)
T-34 tanks are also visually modified to look like German tanks (very crude representation of Tiger or late Pz.IV).
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AT-P Armoured Artillery Tractor (visually modified)
Visually modified Soviet postwar AT-P armoured artillery tractors stand for Italian tanks. They keep front mounted SGMT machine guns and get fake turrets.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Fake Italian tanks on march under the heavy snow.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A close view. The turret looks very similar to the one, used on T-26 mod. 1939 tanks.
Posters
Russian release poster
English release DVD cover