Skip to content
— CH. 1 · AXIS INVASION LAUNCH —

Crimean campaign

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections

  • The German 11th Army and the Romanian Third Army began their assault on the 26th of September 1941. This offensive marked the start of a brutal campaign across the Crimean Peninsula. Romania and Italy provided crucial support to the invading German forces. The Soviet Union deployed its 51st Army to defend the region against this overwhelming attack. Elements of the Black Sea Fleet joined the ground troops in resisting the Axis advance. The initial fighting quickly routed Red Army units, allowing Germany to push deeper into the peninsula.

  • Sevastopol became the primary target for German forces after surrounding the city on the 30th of October 1941. A massive Soviet counterattack successfully repulsed the first major German assault. Troops evacuated from Odessa arrived to bolster the city's defenses during the long siege. Multiple attacks failed on the 11th of November and again on the 30th of November in the eastern sections. German artillery regiments reinforced their position, including the enormous Schwerer Gustav railway gun. An attempt to break through on the 17th of December was stopped just before Christmas with fresh reinforcements. Soviet soldiers landed on the Kerch Peninsula one day after Christmas to relieve pressure on the city.

  • Soviet forces established a foothold on the Kerch Peninsula shortly after Christmas 1941. This amphibious operation aimed to create a corridor to supply Sevastopol directly. German commanders launched a devastating counterattack beginning on the 9th of April 1942. By the 18th of May, all Soviet troops on the peninsula had been eliminated by Axis forces. The destruction of this Soviet force removed a critical distraction from the main siege. Germans then renewed their full-scale assault on Sevastopol without interference from the east. The inner defensive lines of the city were finally penetrated on the 29th of June 1942.

  • Romanian submarine Delfinul operated under the command of Constantin Costăchescu during late October 1941. In the early hours of the 6th of November, the vessel torpedoed and sank the Soviet cargo ship Uralets south of Yalta. The Uralets weighed 1,975 tons and carried essential supplies for the defense effort. After sinking the target, Delfinul faced immediate retaliation from Soviet naval forces. The submarine evaded up to 80 depth charges while following the Turkish coast. It successfully reached Constanța on the 7th of November after surviving the intense pursuit. These engagements demonstrated the strategic importance of controlling Black Sea shipping lanes.

  • Axis forces maintained control over Crimea for three years following the capture of Sevastopol. Army Group A administered the occupied territory with the 17th Army as its major subordinate formation. The city of Sevastopol received Hero City status from the Soviet government for its resistance. German occupation policies remained in effect until the Soviet liberation offensive began in 1944. Only Kerch had been briefly recaptured by Soviets before being retaken again during Operation Bustard Hunt on the 8th of May. The peninsula served as a critical base for Axis operations throughout the war.

  • The Crimean offensive launched on the 8th of April 1944 and concluded on the 12th of May 1944. The 4th Ukrainian Front led the successful operation to recapture the entire peninsula. Three distinct sub-operations coordinated the complex assault against German defenses. The Perekop, Sevastopol Offensive Operation ran from the 8th of April 1944 through the 12th of May 1944. Another component, the Kerch, Sevastopol Offensive Operation, operated between the 11th of April 1944 and the 12th of May 1944. Earlier efforts included the Kerch, Eltigen Operation which took place from the 31st of October 1943 to the 11th of December 1943. These combined actions finally expelled German forces from the region after years of occupation.

Up Next

Crimean offensive

Continue Browsing

Battles and operations of the Soviet–German WarCrimea in World War IINaval battles of World War II involving RomaniaBattles of World War II involving RomaniaCampaigns of World War IIConflicts in 1941Conflicts in 1942Military campaigns involving GermanyMilitary campaigns involving the Soviet UnionNovember 1941 in EuropeOctober 1941 in EuropeRomania–Soviet Union relationsWorld War II sites in UkraineWorld War II sites of Nazi Germany

Common questions

When did the German 11th Army and Romanian Third Army begin their assault on Crimea?

The German 11th Army and Romanian Third Army began their assault on the 26th of September 1941. This offensive marked the start of a brutal campaign across the Crimean Peninsula.

What happened to Soviet forces on the Kerch Peninsula in May 1942?

By the 18th of May, all Soviet troops on the peninsula had been eliminated by Axis forces. The destruction of this Soviet force removed a critical distraction from the main siege.

Who commanded the Romanian submarine Delfinul during late October 1941?

Romanian submarine Delfinul operated under the command of Constantin Costăchescu during late October 1941. In the early hours of the 6th of November, the vessel torpedoed and sank the Soviet cargo ship Uralets south of Yalta.

Which Soviet front led the successful operation to recapture the entire peninsula in 1944?

The 4th Ukrainian Front led the successful operation to recapture the entire peninsula. The Crimean offensive launched on the 8th of April 1944 and concluded on the 12th of May 1944.

When did German occupation policies remain in effect until the Soviet liberation offensive began?

German occupation policies remained in effect until the Soviet liberation offensive began in 1944. Only Kerch had been briefly recaptured by Soviets before being retaken again during Operation Bustard Hunt on the 8th of May.

See all questions about Crimean campaign →