Battle of Sevastopol Timeline

Germany now eyed the strategic position on the Crimea peninsula still under Soviet control. And though progress was being made, the city of Sevastopol was able to reinforce and supply resulting in some 180,000 Red Army soldiers flooding into the city. Along with an impressive head count, the city sported a fort and defensive fortifications including three rings were constructed. It would seem that this particular target would have to be paid in German blood and sweat.

German Generaloberst Erich von Manstein was charged with the task. Through an initial assault, the Russian defense holds up. A second assault through Operation Bustard is launched, this utilizing 33 massive fortification-busting artillery pieces delivered to the German Army between April and May in 1942. The assault nets some 170,000 Russian prisoners and isolates Sevastopol. Manstein therefore enacts Operation Sturgeon and calls on a 5-day artillery barrage of the city. This is compounded by bombardment from the air via Luftwaffe bombers.

German progress is halted by the valiant Soviet defense. A renewed assault under Manstein's orders yields greater results, with key Soviet hilltop positions and defensive fortifications falling under German control. The damage is such that the Soviets begin their evacuation of Sevastopol.

Germany finally takes Sevastopol and another 90,000 Soviet Army prisoners - and along with that - complete control of the Crimea peninsula and the port at Sevastopol.