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The feat accomplished by the reconnaissance unit in Koktebel became one of the highlights of the Kerch-Feodosia Landing Operation. It lasted from December 26, 1941, until January 2, 1942, and was aimed at driving the enemy force away from Sevastopol and preventing it from advancing to the Caucasus. The plan provided for carrying out landing operations along the Kerch Peninsula’s northeastern and southern coasts. They had to be carried out in stormy weather, while the enemy fought hard to retain its positions.
The 29-strong reconnaissance unit was on a mission to distract the German garrison in Koktebel and prevent it from helping the German and Romanian forces deployed in and around Feodosia. “No one had any hopes of surviving in our unit, but we really wanted to help our brothers over in Sevastopol,” one of the participants in the landing operation said.
The D-5 submarine took the marines from Novorossiysk and arrived at the destination in the night of December 29. The conditions for carrying out the landing operation were extremely unfavourable. There was a category five storm, freezing temperatures, and icy wind. When the 29 heroes got into the dinghies, the enemy started firing machine guns and mortars at them from its coastal fortifications. The marines had to jump into water and to engage the enemy while covered waist-deep in icy water.
By the evening of January 1, the offensive by the Soviet forces gained enough momentum for them to reach Koktebel. This enabled the Red Navy fighters to join the main landing force. All the volunteers who were still alive suffered wounds.
The selfless efforts by these 29 heroes prevented German troops from derailing the Kerch-Feodosia Operation and invading the Caucasus. In 1958, a monument to the Red Navy volunteers who died during the operation was established in Koktebel – it shows four harsh, courageous stone-carved faces.
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