Kerch-Eltigen Landing Operation of 1943

a joint operation to capture the Kerch’ Peninsula by forces of the North Caucasian Front, the Black Sea Fleet, and the Azov Naval Flotilla, which lasted from October 31 to December 11 during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45. The objective of the operation was to create a base of operations for a further offensive and the complete liberation of the Crimea from fascist German and Rumanian troops. Overall direction of the operation was exercised by Colonel General I. E. Petrov, commander of the North Caucasian Front.

In early November 1943 ships of the Black Sea Fleet (commanded by Vice Admiral L. A. Vladimirskii) landed troops of the Eighteenth Army in the El’tigen region south of Kerch’, and ships of the Azov Flotilla (commanded by Rear Admiral S. G. Gorshkov) landed troops of the Fifty-sixth Army northeast of Kerch’. With the support of coastal artillery and naval aviation the forces of the Eighteenth Army held their beachhead until early December, when they broke through the enemy battle formations and linked up with forces of the Fifty-sixth Army. The forces of the Fifty-sixth Army held their beachhead and moved to the northeast edge of Kerch’, where they set up a defense. Soon the forces in the Kerch’ base of operations reformed as the Detached Maritime Army and began to build up strength for the offensive.