The Battle of Sevastopol, part 1: Beyond Barbarossa, episode 27

Crimea was a critical asset to hold for Germany's plans for its summer 1942 offensive. Especially its best harbour, and the base for the Soviet Black Sea Fleet: Sevastopol. 

Map: The Battle of Sevastopol, 1942

 

Figure 1: Western Crimea by satellite. Severnaya Bay is the long, narrow estuary going east from the Black Sea. Sevastopol is in the narrow bay that comes south from it. 

 

Figure 2: Sturmgeshutz III "StuG III" self-propelled assault gun 

Figure 3: Goliath disposable explosive vehicle

 

Figure 4: Thor's brother, Karl-Geralt super-heavy mortar

Figure 5: An unexploded 600-mm shell in Crimea, 1942

Figure 6: Dora, the biggest gun ever made, firing 800 mm shells 

 Figure 7: The sunken Abkhazia transport ship in Sevastopol Harbour, 1942