Fallen German Soldiers at the Blue Line Fortifications, Taman Peninsula 1943

September 17, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Deceased German soldiers on the battlefield of the Blue Line fortifications, Taman Peninsula, October 1943.

Deceased German soldiers lying on the battlefield of the Blue Line fortifications on the Taman Peninsula, October 1943, after intense fighting with the Red Army.

This stark photograph shows the grim aftermath of the Red Army’s assault on the German “Blue Line” fortifications on the Taman Peninsula, October 1943. Deceased German soldiers lie on the battlefield, reflecting the intensity of the fighting and the high cost of the campaign.

The Blue Line was a heavily fortified defensive position established by German forces with a condensed front and a 400,000-strong troop presence, making it a formidable obstacle for the advancing Red Army. Combat here lasted from February to September 1943, culminating in the German withdrawal to Crimea.

The 2nd Guards Rifle Division played a decisive role in breaking through these defenses, coordinating infantry attacks with armored support from the 51st Separate Tank Regiment. For their valor and success in liberating the Taman Peninsula, the division was awarded the honorary title “Taman” on October 9, 1943.

This photograph not only documents the human cost of frontline combat but also highlights the strategic significance of the Taman Peninsula in the Soviet advance toward Crimea. It serves as a historical record of the Red Army’s persistence and tactical coordination in overcoming one of the Wehrmacht’s strongest defensive lines.

Technical photo data:
📍 Location: Taman Peninsula, Krasnodar Krai, USSR
📅 Date of photo: October 1943
📝 Event: Assault on the German Blue Line fortifications by the Red Army
📷 Source: Soviet WWII photo archives