Chapter 32 Scramble for Cape Yoshio

However, the problem at hand is to continue to open the gates of Crimea and pass through the Ichon region.Perhaps people will say that this is just another attack operation.However, these ten days of hard fighting were not just a normal offensive operation, but a shining example of the aggressiveness and self-sacrifice of the German soldiers. We lacked almost all the advantages that are usually considered necessary prerequisites when attacking fortified positions.It was the Russian defenders, not the German attackers, who enjoyed numerical superiority.The Eleventh Army has only six divisions in total, and the Russian army facing it is eight infantry divisions and four cavalry divisions.Since October 16, the Russians had withdrawn from Odyssey until this time, which was the overwhelming target of the Romanian Fourth Army and sent the defenders by sea to the Crimea for reinforcements.Although the Luftwaffe claimed to have sunk 32,000 tons of ships, most of the ships evacuated from Odyssey were still able to land in Sevastopol or various ports on the west coast of the peninsula. , the first division of the Russian Army Group has already appeared on the battlefield.

The German artillery was undoubtedly superior to that of the enemy, providing effective support to the attacking infantry.But the enemy's armored coastal defense guns could engage from the northwestern coast of the Crimea and the southern shore of the Lazy Sea, and German artillery was initially unable to destroy them.In addition, the Russian army has sufficient armored forces to use for counter-offensive, while the Eleventh Army does not have a single tank. In particular, senior commanders do not have any chance to use tactical maneuvers to reduce the heavy burden on the troops.In that case there was no possibility of a surprise attack on the enemy, since they could just sit in well-constructed field fortifications and wait for the German attack to develop.As in the case of Piritop, the sea on one side and the lazy sea on the other made it impossible for the enemy not only to flank, but even to shoot.Instead, a purely frontal attack must be made along three narrow strips (divided by lakes and swamps in the middle).

The saline prairie in this headland is as flat as a pan, and there is not enough vegetation on it to provide cover for attackers.The skies above were also controlled by the Russian Air Force, whose fighter jets and fighter-bombers swooped down on any target they could find.Not only front-line infantry and field artillery had to dig fortifications, but even certain vehicles and horses in the rear of the combat area had to dig fortifications in order to meet the attack of enemy aircraft.The situation was so bad that the anti-aircraft guns did not dare to fire, otherwise they might be destroyed immediately.It was not until the final stage of the offensive, after Molders (Molders is a famous German air combat hero in World War II) and his fighter group to assist the army in combat, that the enemy in the air was cleared even during the day, and at night Not even Mulder could help.

Under such combat conditions, and facing an enemy that must fight for every inch of land, the requirements for the attacking troops are bound to be abnormally high, and the losses are also very considerable.Throughout this period, I was often on the road to see for myself how the battle was going and how it could help the fighting units. I was alarmed by the decline in combat effectiveness.The divisions charged with this difficult task had suffered heavy losses in the fighting at Perekop and Azov, so whether they could take these narrow corridors and, even after breaking through, would they still be able to face a growing enemy? The ability to win the entirety of Crimea seems doubtful.

By October 25, the troops seemed to be at the end of their strength.In one division of exceptional quality, the commander twice reported that the regiments under his command were exhausted.Sooner or later in such a struggle there is always a point where the battle seems to be decided on a razor's edge.At this time, it depends on whether the attacker has a strong will, can develop the material endurance to its highest limit, and finally overcome the resistance of the defender. Because of the danger that all sacrifices may turn out to be in vain, it is the most difficult question in the commander's mind whether to make the last best effort.But the will of the commander is of no use unless the troops are confident and determined not to give up the fight.

As a result, the indomitable spirit of the troops finally overcame the enemy's determination to defend to the death.After another day of hard work, on October 27th finally achieved the final success.October 28 was the end of ten days of bitter fighting, and the defense of the Russian army completely collapsed.The Eleventh Army can begin the pursuit.