Historical Context

Throughout the Autumn of 1941, three German Army Groups fought their way eastward in the aftermath of Operation Barbarossa, the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by the European Axis powers.

The invaders’ southernmost Army Group fought its way into Ukraine, completing the encirclement of Kiev in September before advancing towards the Sea of Azov.

The Crimean Peninsula, jutting into the Black Sea from Ukraine, was a key objective for the German Army as Soviet forces could use the peninsula to threaten the flank of the invasion forces, with attacks by land, sea and air. The port city of Sebastopol was heavily fortified, and represented a major objective for both sides.

When German forces surrounded Sevastopol after launching their assault into the peninsula, the Soviet high command ordered Kozlov’s Transcaucasian Front to plan a major operation to relieve the besieged city and its defenders, the Separate Coastal Army.

Kozlov’s staff planned to sail troops across the Kerch Strait from their ports in the Taman Peninsula, before landing on the Crimean Peninsula near the town of Kerch.

On the evening of the 25th of December 1941, a Soviet landing force consisting of two rifle divisions and a brigade of naval infantry boarded an unwieldy fleet of transport ships, tugboats and barges, and prepared to sail from the Taman Peninsula to the Crimea’s Kerch Peninsula.

While landings at Stary Karantin and Cape Tarhan fail, Soviet forces do make it ashore at the town of Kamysh Burun, attacking through the town towards its docks, the seizuure of which will enable them to land vehicles, heavy weapons and more soldiers.

This scenario recreates the Soviet assault on the German force guarding the dock at Kamysh Burun.

Soviet Briefing

Now that the men have established a skirmish-line covering the approaches to the dock, you are huddled with your battalion commander, Major Tarasov, and your fellow company commanders.

Against the rattle and crack of the battle, the Major turns to you to explain your role in the fight ahead.

Comrade, your company now has a critical role to play in the next phase of the landing operation – you are to lead the attack by seizing the enemy strongpoint covering the dock, which will enable the rest of the battalion to clear the enemy from the jetties and surrounding area. Once this is done, we will signal for the next wave to come ashore, with the rest of our heavy weapons, tanks and artillery!

• Objective: Capture and clear the buildings of the port administration complex!

Soviet Forces (from 302nd Mountain Division)

The 302nd Mountain Division is comprised of reservists who are heading into combat for the first time.

This company has taken some losses already following the German bombing attacks on the slow-moving transports as they approached the shore of the peninsula.

Unit List

• Rota Headquarters: Kapitan, Komissar
• 3 Platoons: 10 Rifle Squads in total
• 3 Medium Machine Gun Teams
• 1 Medium Mortar Team
• 2 Light Mortar Teams
• 1 Sniper team

Force Attributes

• Competence: Regular
• Morale: Typical
• Leadership: Typical

German Briefing

German Forces (from 42nd Infantry Regiment)

The 42nd Infantry Regiment, part of the 46th Infantry Division, is a veteran unit with combat experience from Poland, France and the opening stages of Operation Barbarossa.

• Objective: hold your positions! Defeat this enemy attack to deny them control of the docks.

Unit List

• Kompanie Headquarters: Oberstleutnant
• 2 Infantry Platoons: 6 Infantry Squads in total
• 2 Medium Machine Gun Teams
• 2 Medium Mortar Teams
• 1 Light Mortar Team

Force Attributes

• Competence: Veteran
• Morale: Normal
• Leadership: Good