Battle for the Kerch Peninsula Bridgehead, November 1943

September 21, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Soviet Guardsmen of the 2nd Taman Division with PPSh-41 submachine guns during the battle for the Kerch bridgehead, Crimea, November 1943.

WWII photo of Soviet Guardsmen of the 2nd Guards Taman Division with PPSh-41 submachine guns during the battle for the Kerch bridgehead, Crimea, November 1943.

This historic World War II photograph shows Soviet Guardsmen of the 2nd Guards Taman Rifle Division engaged in combat during the battle for the Kerch Peninsula bridgehead in November 1943. The soldiers, armed with the famous PPSh-41 submachine guns, are pictured in the midst of bitter fighting to expand the Soviet foothold after crossing the Kerch Strait into German-occupied Crimea.

From Taman to Kerch

The Taman Division had earned its Guards title after driving German forces from the Taman Peninsula in October 1943. That victory opened the way across the narrow Kerch Strait. Without delay, Soviet High Command launched an amphibious landing, sending assault troops to seize a bridgehead on the eastern coast of Crimea.

Expanding the Bridgehead

Despite strong German defenses, difficult weather conditions, and constant counterattacks, the Guardsmen managed to secure and gradually widen the bridgehead. Their determination was crucial: the Kerch operation marked the first step toward the liberation of Crimea, which would culminate in the recapture of Sevastopol in May 1944.

The Weapon of Choice – PPSh-41

In the photograph, the soldiers carry the PPSh-41, nicknamed “Papasha.” This iconic Soviet submachine gun, with its high rate of fire and 71-round drum magazine, was particularly effective in close combat. Its widespread use symbolized the Red Army’s fighting spirit during the decisive years of the war.

This image not only documents a key phase of the Eastern Front but also embodies the courage and resilience of the Soviet Guardsmen who carried the war into Crimea. Their actions at Kerch laid the groundwork for the final Soviet victory in the Black Sea region.

Technical photo data:
📍 Location: Kerch Peninsula, Crimea, USSR
📅 Date: November 1943
📝 Event: Battle for the Kerch bridgehead, landing of the 2nd Guards Taman Division
📷 Author: Unknown Soviet military photographer