10th Infantry Division - Crimea 4th Feb

[BobM]

Gents

On the 4th Feb 1943 Soviet army units landed to the West of Novorossisk in an area of coast defended by the 10th Infantry Division. After 3 days fighting the landing was eliminated. Does anyone know anymore details of this battle?

Below is an machine translated account of the russian side

Cheers

Bob

________

Break of preparatory defense within the Second World war always was a challenge for the attacking party. For it carefully prepared, massed forces and means, selected a place and time. What could be an outcome of operations in which armies went over to the offensive at night or in complex meteouslovijah, actually without artpodgotovki, and the divisions armed by easy shooting arms took part in the attack only? Absurdity, - you will tell, - such operation is doomed to a failure. And in fact so it is possible to characterize overwhelming majority of our landing operations of 1-st and 2-nd periods of Great Domestic war!
It is Enough to tell, that from 52 sea landings which have been carried out by the Soviet Navy per 1941-1945, only divisions of tank armies which even one approach to a land hardly probable managed took part in two cases in fights for landing. The story about the largest " a tank landing " Great Domestic war before you...
Hardly it is necessary to remind, than there was for our country a 1942. During this hard year we were consistently convinced that Germans can be beaten, and that up to a victory still very far. After a new strip of difficulties and failures - a great victory over Volga. As a result of a lot of the interconnected offensive operations the southern wing of the German front has failed, and parts " victorious Vermahta ", as well as one year ago is lightning pokatilis back. Our armies, which else yesterday receded and conducted the fierce defensive fights send to prosecution.
Especially striking these changes were on Caucasus. The opponent promptly left with such work the won territory, but, despite of it, to allow it to recede free meant to miss an opportunity of a large victory. It perfectly understood in the Rate of General headquarters. 26 more November, i.e. all in three day after end of environment Stalingradskoj of a grouping of the opponent to address of the Transcaucasian front (the commander - general I.V.Tjulenev) the instruction on preparation of the plan of large offensive operation has acted. Soon such plan has been made. In its basis the aspiration to cut off a way of a withdrawal of the German armies to both possible strategic directions - to Rostov and on peninsula Tamansky laid. It is absolutely logical, that in approach on tamanskom a direction should accept active participation the Black Sea fleet (the ordering vice-admiral F.S.October) which has been at that time directly subordinated to command of front. Participation of fleet was planned rather widely, including and in the form of landing operation in rear of the opponent.
It is curious to note, that the instruction on planning a landing has been given to fleet at once on reception of the instruction of the Rate, i.e. how the plan of the approach and especially operative problem for desantirujushchihsja connections has been certain. Thereof it is not absolutely clear, when and proceeding from what the structure of landing armies has been certain. To domestic measures it was rather significant: two brigades of the sea infantry, one shooting brigade, 563-rd separate tank battalion and divisions of strengthening. Such concentration of forces deduced operation which subsequently has received the name Southern-ica?aeneie, on the third position on size in Great Domestic war.
Unfortunately, about 563-rd OTB it was possible to find only sketchy data. Most likely the part has been generated in the beginning of summer 1942 in Sumgaitskom tank camp. On August, 31st the battalion was included into fighting structure of the Transcaucasian front and took part in operations in area Mozdoka and Nalchik in structure of 37-th army. The exact information on type of the machines was on arms during this period is not present, but with the big share of confidence it is possible to tell, that initially it there were British tanks " Aaeaioaei " and American I3 "General Stjuart". In the first of December the battalion has been removed from front and thrown in area Tuapse where it was necessary to it doukomplektovatsja and to prepare for operation. In the same place it was completely perevooruzhen on I3.
Southern-ica?aeneie landing operation posesses absolute leadership among other landing operations in such important parameter, as to duration of preparation. Really, initial date of carrying out - on December, 15th - repeatedly was exposed to updating. Has passed December, then January, and the order on carrying out of operation all was not. In the meantime landing armies tensely trained. It bore fruit. In avaricious lines of archival documents it is marked, that tankmen shot only on excellent". Themes of employment, except for usual, in conformity with specialities, included both special: landing and fight to coast, loading on the ships, etc.
On last question it is necessary to stop especially. A role of the absent landing ships operations should play so-called "bolindery". The intriguing name meant actually not that others as the name of the Swedish motor-civil engineering firm, hid under itself melkosidjashchie the self-propelled barges which are under construction in Russia still before revolution. By the moment of described events the Black Sea fleet had only three such courts which, by then, already for a long time have lost an opportunity to move independently and were used as time quayes or on a tow. For a role tankodesantnyh the ships the fleet simply had no other nominees!
As though tanks were not good, combat material they become only after will feel under caterpillars firm ground. Till this moment they are only a heap of iron with negative buoyancy. Thus, their fighting opportunities strongly depend on that, how much quickly it will be possible to leave a deck of the landing ship. In turn, this speed in many respects depends on a design and characteristics of the vessel. Under the plan with bolinderov it was necessary to land 30 tanks of 1-st echelon, other technics and about 1000 sea infantrymen! After landing, again having returned to the category of moorings, court should provide unloading of technics and staff with kanonerskih boats, trawlers and transports, which deposits could not come nearer to coast because of big. Though before landing bolindery have repaired it it could not be reflected in their high-speed qualities in any way and survivability. Both that and another was equal to zero.
For the sake of justice it is necessary to note, as command understood dependence of success of all operation on an opportunity of three " floating suitcases " to approach to coast in the appointed items. The system ognevyh points of the opponent which has been completely opened by the Soviet investigation, should be suppressed by powerful aviation preparation and fire of ship artillery. To disorient reserves of the opponent it was planned by demonstration actions of the ships, and to decapitate its fighting management - saboteurs-parachuters. On a beach the first landed from boats of 300 seamen of assault group, and only on a signal from a boat commanders of this group bolindery should begin approach coast. Chances of success of this plan were, especially if to consider, that landing was carried out at night, and defense of coastal feature was held not with German parts, and division of 10-th Romanian infantry division.
Analyzing unsuccessful operations of Great Domestic war, not time you are convinced that roots of their unsuccess laid not so much in plans, however of absence of spare variants, even theoretical opportunities something to correct in conditions of changing fighting conditions. That in some cases changed can seem to even more paradoxical and aggravated conditions not heavy realities of war, and our military leaders.
So it has turned out and this time. Though landing armies in general were ready, operation within all January was postponed. There was no main making factor of its success - break on overland front. Victorious approach of which was demanded constantly with the Rate, was not, and it has forced general Tjuleneva to make a decision the first to throw in fire a landing.
In this case " rearrangement composed " (overland break and a sea landing) has seriously affected the sum. In fact even very well prepared landing parts, in view of absence of the special ships, and, accordingly, technics have not been intended for reflection of a serious, full-scale impact on coast.
This "accident" which has resulted the subjective decision ordering front as if has opened road to a wide stream of the objective accidents which are always taking place on war.
In the Afternoon landing of people and technics on February, 3rd has begun. 563-rd OTB was loaded in Gelendzhike. Because of absence of commandant's service and a disorganization corresponding the moment landing of sea infantrymen was tightened till the evening. At last, at 19.40, with delay on half an hour, 1-st echelon of a landing it has started to be extended on external spot-check. Here them has met 2-3-aaeuiia excitement which for this season on Black sea is, actually, minimal, however by way of it has not been for some reason stipulated!
At once it was found out, that seaworthiness entirely loaded tanks and by lorries bolinderov is much worse, than it was supposed. Barges which have hard settled on water broke the towing ends and to get them again, it was required up to 40 mines! The schedule of operation went to pieces, the caravan of the ships and courts was stretched. It became soon clear, that the landing can reach the specified area of landing in any way earlier than on 1,5 ch after appointed, i.e. it is a lot of after artillery and aviation preparation, demonstrative landings, etc. Realizing that it means a failure of all operation, the commander of forces of landing, the captain of 1-st rank N.E.Basistyj has requested ordering operation (komflotom October) to shift time for a corresponding time interval. The commander has not supported the given offer, but because of the disgusting organization of communication in a staff of group of landing about it have learned only later 45 mines after " time CH " by an old variant!
Thus, speech about suddenness simply did not go - the first the aircraft, then the ships (shot though and much - 2011 shells - but without updating are let out) has struck. The landing only has then approached. The first in February, 03.35 4rd to coast six sentry boats with sea infantrymen of assault group have rushed. The beach seemen during 2,5 ch of previous bombardments lifeless at once was shined with a projector, rockets, and then both numerous lines and breaks. Fire was covered with boats and have put out of action two of them. Soon "NEA-051" has blown up. The specified losses not only have weakened assault group on third (it has been landed 200 instead of 300 person), but also have decapitated an advance party of boats since was on "NEA-051" the commander of group the captain of 3-rd rank A.P.Ivanov was lost.
To submit bolinderam a signal about the approach there was nobody, but despite of it it was ordered to them to move to coast. The most vulnerable vessels of landing forces have moved the first and it has predetermined not only their destiny, but also destiny of tanks of a landing.
Later approximately 20-25 mines after the beginning of landing while the seamen of assault group landed on mined coast under heavy machine-gun and minometnym fire tried to seize the first line of the Romanian tranches, the enemy projector located on the right flank of landing suddenly has snatched out barges slowly creeping to coast from darkness. At once .zhe squall of fire has fallen upon them. Though on a site of landing protivodesantnaja defense also had 2-3 field and one heavy antiaircraft batteries, the main thing composed fire power defending were mortars. Already the first hits of mines and shells have put the hardest damages bolinderu " ? 2 " and to a tow "Gelendzhik". Soon both vessel have lighted up, have lost a course and have begun tonut. During this moment up to coast there were 250-200 more meters at enough big depth. To a staff was onboard - to 350 sea infantrymen and tankmen - does not remain anything other how to jump in ice water and to try to reach coast by swimming. Whether it is necessary to remind, that all this occured under storm fire.
To the Tankmen was on bolindere " ? 4 " has carried not much more. Despite of strong counteraction from coast, the barge continued to come nearer to a beach persistently. Up to a land remains about 100 meters when people have felt a strong push - bolinder has flown on the steel hedgehog established on small depth. Water acted in hold very quickly, and soon the vessel has sat down on a ground. Fortunately, neither depth, nor position of the barge did not interfere with landing of tanks which one behind another began to move down in water. In the meantime motionless bolinder became a point of an aiming for ten instruments and mortars of the enemy, and has soon lighted up. Though crew of a vessel and commandoes have taken vigorous measures to fire extinguishing, fire has gradually captured all barge. Has thundered explosion - an ammunition of a landing have onboard blown up. Till this moment on shodnjam 7-8 tanks have had time to move down.
Having appeared on coast, tankmen at once have entered fight, but originally to achieve much it it was not possible. On coast the fierce fight frequently passed, in conditions of night darkness, in hand-to-hand fights boiled. Supervision from tanks has been complicated, while they shined by rockets and fires on sunk courts, were as on a palm. It is not excluded, that the pair machines became victims was directly at Southern Ozerejki to the German antiaircraft two-cannon 88-mm of the battery. And nevertheless unexpected occurrence of the Soviet tanks has made on Romanian the soldier strong impression.
Has passed about an hour of fight as at coast has seemed lagged behind on transition bolinder " ? 6 ". By then fire from coast already has a little weakened. And nevertheless the opponent managed to burn and this barge while it has already practically reached coast. Had hits and a tow "joint venture-19". The towing end has been interrupted or given ahead of time, and bolinder has started to develop a log. Soon it has rested against a ground and has begun landing tanks, By then a vessel already blazed with might and main. From approximately six moved down machines the some people were objaty a flame. In photos two tanks with broken from explosion of a unit of fire by towers are well visible at least. It would be desirable to hope, that tankmen had time to leave the doomed machines beforehand...
Destruction of all of three bolinderov and a proceeding bombardment from coast extremely have complicated planned landing of troops with kanonerskih boats and trawlers. Till 06.00 the ships some times tried to approach to coast, but each time have come across the fierce counteraction and with losses departed back. The dawn and came nearer, being afraid of hypothetical impacts of enemy aircraft (which, by the way, according to sew investigations during that moment on Tamani was not), the captain of 1-st rank Basistyj at 06.20 has given forces of landing a signal to a withdrawal. By this moment on coast were, except for 563-rd OTB, 142-nd and partially other two battalions of 255-th sea shooting brigade, crews of the sunk ships - all up to 1500 person, but any serviceable radio station. The staff of the commander of a landing a-staff of 255-th MSBr (the commander - colonel A.S.Potapov) and has not landed with kanonerskoj boats " Red Adzharistan ".
Despite of leaving of the ships, with a dawn position of the landed divisions, strangely enough, has improved. Though fight did not stop for a minute, the remained commanders united around of themselves small groups of fighters, agreed about joint actions with crews of the escaped tanks, marked ognevye points and organized their liquidation, more shortly, have started to supervise over fight that was extremely inconvenient in night conditions. Many tankmen from the lost machines, having armed with tank machine guns and other shooting arms, have joined structure of infantry divisions.
Soon it was possible to grope a thin place in defense the Romanian - coast of the river Ozerejki passed through abrupt gorge were not protected. Sudden attack greater group of fighters of 255-th MSBr and 563-rd OTB has bypassed a right edge of defense of the opponent and attacked its rears - positions at village Southern Ozerejka. Who knows, can Romanians and could keep defense, but here have not sustained nerves at the commander in the German 164-th reserve antiaircraft 88-mm of the battery. Having counted position hopeless, it has blown up instruments and has left positions. For the Romanian it has served as a signal to general flight. Having receded in the disorder, they, under indications of eyewitnesses, have left on a battlefield more than 500 killed and wounded men, and, besides about 100 captured of structure of 2-nd battalion 53-rd shelf. Thus, soon after a dawn Southern Ozerejka it has been taken, but in I build a landing there was no more than 700-800 person at eight tanks.
All the further events are a fruit of author's reconstruction on the extremely poor domestic and trophy materials since no official reports on actions on coast existing, as well as there was no uniform staff which would supervise over them. Most likely, the management of actions of a kernel of a landing was incured by the commander of 142-nd battalion captain Kuzmin. It is not known, what exactly has served as the reason of the decision to move ahead further in depth of territory of the opponent: aspiration to execute a task in view (to seize village Glebovka), or the desire to make the way to "", but the landing group has continued approach. During this moment the opponent had no sufficient forces to block a landing, but continued to render fierce resistance. In particular, already at 12.35 the staff of 17-th army reported in a staff of group of armies " And ", that being area Southern Ozerejki the anti-tank battalion of 73-rd pd has lined three "Stjuarta". Nevertheless, by the evening on February, 4th seamen have reached Glebovki and have borrowed its southern surburb. In the meantime the German command has tightened in area of break rather great strengths: gornostrelkovyj and the tank battalions, four artillery and two anti-tank batteries, group of antiaircraft guns. The Romanian parts which in the evening again have borrowed remained neutral a beach have been rearranged also. As a result approached with approach of darkness from Gelendzhika for an establishment of communication with a landing two boats again have undergone to bombardment and have returned to base. Having counted a landing the victim, admiral October has refused landing reinforcements.
However " alive buried " seamen and tankmen continued to battle furiously even the whole day. Though our aircraft also reported on it, for supply surrounded has not been undertaken any measures. By this moment of command of front and fleet have already made a decision on carry of a direction of impact through the jumping-off place borrowed by a demonstrative landing in area Myshako-Stanichki (well-known " the Small Earth ") and did not wish to spend for supply surrounded even a little bit of forces and means. Tesnimye from different directions, not having an ammunition, commandoes sustained huge losses. At the remained tanks shells and two last machines with which boezapas remained only to machine guns have terminated, have been allocated for defense of dugouts with wounded men. Soon the opponent has burnt also them. By an outcome of day only about hundred commandoes could hold the weapon still. The general losses of a landing on the German data have made approximately 630 killed and 542 captured. Probably, that the missing 200 person have sunk at landing.
At Night the rests of group were divided. 75 person led by battalion commander Kuzmin have decided to break on Myshako, and the others 25 send away to coast in a direction of lake Abrau. It has carried - they have met the guerrilla, had communication with "continent" and have soon been evacuated by boats. Later 22 days after landing on myshaksky jumping-off place have left the basic group only five person. Among come back there was no tankman...

[Carol I]

There are two more threads on this topic: Soviet Amphibious Landing at Southern Ozereyka, 4 Febr. 1943 and Romanian operations at Novorossisk.

[BobM]

Thanks for the pointers!

I guess I can ask Jack for more info

Cheers

Bob