Soviet Naval Infantrymen of the 8th Brigade under Col. Gorpishchenko land on the shores of Crimea under heavy enemy fire. Part of the Black Sea Fleet’s assault operations to retake strategic coastal positions.
Landing on the Kerch Peninsula
Kerch Peninsula, 1942.
Spray, smoke, and gunfire. Amid the chaos, Soviet Naval Infantrymen of the 8th Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet advance toward the shore during an amphibious assault under heavy enemy fire.
Commanded by Colonel Pavel Filippovich Gorpishchenko, these marines were veterans of the defense of Sevastopol, now committed to yet another desperate struggle along the Crimean coast. This rare photograph captures the assault in progress as Soviet marines press forward under fire, carrying the battle from sea to shore.
The 8th Naval Infantry Brigade was among the most experienced formations of the Soviet Navy during the Black Sea campaign. Formed in the difficult early years of the war, it took part in a series of defensive and amphibious operations along the Crimean coast. Its commander, Col. Gorpishchenko, was already recognized as an experienced combat commander respected by both his men and his superiors.
After the events depicted here, Gorpishchenko went on to command the 77th Guards Rifle Division, leading it through heavy fighting in southern Ukraine. He was killed in action during the battles for the Nikopol bridgehead in November 1943, remaining with his troops until the very end.
Published in the May 1942 issue of Krasny Flot, this photograph documents one of the many amphibious operations carried out by Soviet naval infantry during the fighting for Crimea. It remains a valuable visual record of the determination and sacrifice of the Black Sea Fleet's marines.
Technical Photo Data
📷 Technical photo data:
📸 Photographer: B. Kazbekov
📰 Source: Krasny Flot, Issue No. 119 (1070), May 23, 1942
📅 Date: 1942
📍 Location: Kerch Peninsula, Crimea, USSR
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