The latest release by prolific Concord author Hans Seidler is brimming with black and white photographs that portray soldiers embroiled in the vicious fighting that characterized the Crimean Campaign of 1941. Each photo is well captioned with expert commentary. The centerpiece of the book contains four color plates by talented illustrator Dmitriy Zgonnik. These illustrations depict German infantrymen as they fought in the Crimea, with detailed explanations provided about their uniforms and equipment. This informative volume is a welcome reference for military history buffs who want to know more about this bloody and strategically important campaign.
The attacking German 11.Armee was commanded by Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein, and his goal was to overrun the Crimean Peninsular and take Rostov. The battle was joined on September 24 1941, with the capture of the naval fortress of Sevastapol on the southwestern tip of the peninsular set to be the ultimate prize. The Russian Black Sea Fleet defenders fought bitterly as they reinforced the defenses of Sevastapol and the Crimea. As the fighting wore on, Soviet troops launched counterattacks during the winter of 1941/42. A series of thrusts and counter-thrusts ensued, with Germany only able to clear the Crimea on May 18 1942. Manstein was able to set his sights on Sevastapol, with its defenses including pillboxes, gun emplacements, anti-tank ditches, minefields and wire entanglements. Although German units encircled the city and an 80cm “Gustav” railway gun and 60cm Mörser Karl bombarded the city, it took weeks of fighting before the second defensive line was breached during Operation Sturgeon Catch. The city was bombarded mercilessly until it finally fell on July 3.
