The first BM-13 "Katyusha rocket launchers on the ZIS-6 chassis had been produced in June 1941. Several chassis had been used to mount BM-13 rocket launchers on the first ZIS-6 , then the STZ-5 artillery tractor; from the beginning of 1942 various American, British and Canadian trucks were delivered to the USSR under the "Lend-Lease" program. The STZ-5 artillery tractor with BM-13 "Katyusha" was used by the Red Army on September 30, 1941. Rocket artillery mortar regiments with the STZ-5 combat means were formed.
