This article is purely inspired by FAA's 20mm Soviet naval infantry. A superb set of figures, inspiration to all doubting wargamers. Due to heavy losses of ships and facilities during the Barbarossa campaign of 1941, large numbers of USSR naval personnel were used as infantry to bolster the retreating Red Army. The Russian Navy had a long tradition of providing "desanty" (landing) troops, and all sailors had received some basic infantry training. However, they were not well trained or equipped for land combat. 33,000 men were landed from the fleets in the Arctic and Crimean areas alone. Most of the Baltic Fleet personnel became part of the Leningrad defences. Naval infantry battalions comprised about 600 men (similar to a standard Red Army battalion), who were entirely sailors. Some Naval Inf Regts were formed from pairing battalions, but most were grouped in brigades of up to ten battalions. Independent Naval (Marine) Rifle Brigades were established in October 1941. Soviet naval infantry battalions are unusual in the fact they are well supported : 5 flame throwers, 12 machine guns, 4 76.2mm (either field guns or M1927 infantry howitzers) and 16 82mm mortars (4 platoons of 4 tubes each). The bad news is that, at least in 1941, that was all they had-the brigades did not have artillery, mortar or anti-tank batteries. This structure was developed by the Navy specifically for battalion-sized commando style amphibious operations which I think explains the large number of mortars. A Soviet rifle platoon was consistently made up of 4 squads. In '42, the squad would consist of 2 NCO's, 9-10 men and 1 LMG (a DT or similar). By 1944, the manpower declined to 9 men total (with 1-2 NCO's). However, two of the four squads would have LMG's. Note that Soviet doctrine called for replacement of LMG crewman so it occasionally happened that a squad would consist of a squad leader and 2 LMG teams. A Platoon HQ comprised 5-6 men, probably 4 man by 1944. In 1941-42, naval infantry companies (not naval rifle) included a 2-tube section of 50mm mortars and a 2 gun section of Maxim MMG's. While initially used to plug holes in the front line, and suffering heavy losses due to limited tactical training, the Naval Infantry rapidly hardened into an amphibious force. Starting with small amphibious raids late in 1941, they developed effective raid tactics in the Crimea and Baltic areas, culminating in large-scale operations by 1944-5. (Possibly 300,000 men were involved in 114 raids during the Great Patriotic War). Typically, the raid was carried out using naval small-craft and fishing vessels, but also with purpose built landing craft and with monitor type vessels armed with tank turrets. Initially at least, Naval Infantry wore Soviet Naval uniforms with fabric ammunition cross-belts. However, the uniforms gradually developed a more "Army" look as items of standard Red Army uniforms/equipment came into use. The Marines were wore the blue-and-white striped vest (visible at the neck) underneath there Black jackets or army pattern jacket. For Rapid Fire: Soviet Naval Infantry Battalion BHQ ; 6 figures 3 infantry Companies @ 8 figures each Support weapons: 1 50mm mortar - 2 crew and 1 MMG - 3 crew Battalion MG Company: 2 MMG & 3 crew each Battalion mortar company: 3 82mm mortars - 3 crew each Battalion howitzer company: 1 76.2mm regt gun - 3 crew Battalion anti tank rifle company: 2 A/T rifles - 2 crew each Engineer platoon: 1 flame thrower - 2 figures The Marines were regarded as good troops, in a similar way to the airborne units. A Scenario for Soviet Naval Infantry The Osereika Landings: 4th February 1943 The basis for this article is on Paul Carell's "Verbrannte Erde" (Berlin, 1982 ISBN 3-550-06095-5). The action is one which combines an interesting mix of Rumanian and Soviet naval infantry. The attack in itself failed miserably the Soviet commanding Officer Rear Admiral Basisty cancelling the operation after 3 days. However, a similar smaller attack at Stanichka was a great success and eventually led to the liberation of Novorossiisk in September 1943. The German Forces Heereskustenartillerieabteilung 789 was commanded by Major Dr. Lahmeyer. The three batteries seems to have had a mix of 10.5cm lFH.18 howitzers and 170 mm long barrel K.18 guns. The Abt.HQ was in Clebowka The first battery under Oberlautnant Kerler was about 1000m inland on a hill west of Clebowka just near the Abrau lake and had a direct field of fire to the beach and the bay. Each of the three Batteries had a heavy searchlight for night operations. The second battery under Oberlautnant Monnich was in position on a small hill south east of Glebowka about 4000m inland. They covered the bay and the road from the beach. The third battery was under Oberlautnant Holschermann was on the left flank just below the Glebowka heights east of Osereika village. They had good field of fire over the bay. There were some light field howitzers from the Rumanian 38th Infantry Regiment in the area. The Rumanian no 5 Company from the 38th regiment under Hauptmann Dabija Nicolai manned the defences above the beach in the 789 Abteilungs sector. Parts of a Rumanian Pioneer Company, under Hauptmann Radiu was in the area. A troop of two 10.5cm Howitzers from the third battery was positioned directly off the beach on the left flank and did much damage as they fired over open sights at the incoming Soviets boats and landing barges. It's commander was Oberwachtmeister Wagner. A Rumanian Pioneer platoon led by Hauptmann Radiu was in the area and helped Wagner out when the Soviets turned captured Rumanian Infantry guns on his position. Reinforcements arrived during the day in the form of the 164 Reserve Flak Abteilung and the 173 Panzerjaeger Abteilung under Hauptmann Gutschera that knocked out six Soviet tanks that got through. A reinforced 13.Kompanie from the 229 Jagerregiment under Leutnant Wieckzorek took part in the fighting around Glebowka during the day. Wargaming the action using Rapid Fire rules GERMAN/RUMANIAN FORCES. Heereskustenartillerieabteilung 789 HQ - 4 figs FOO - 2 figs battery 1 : 2 105mm lfh 18 & 4 crew & 1 170 mm k 18 & 4 crew battery 2 : 2 105mm lfh 18 & 4 crew & 1 170 mm k 18 & 4 crew battery 3 : 2 105mm lfh 18 & 4 crew & 1 170 mm k 18 & 4 crew Rumanian no 5 Company / 38th regiment 8 figures part of Rumanian pioneer company / 38th regt 6 figs & 1 flame thrower ( 2 figures) Rumanian arty battery 38th regt 2 Schneider 75mm m1912 - 4 crew Reinforcements 164 Reserve Flak Abteilung 1 88mm flak 41 & sdkfz 7 - 4 crew 1 20mm quad mounted on sdkfz 7 - 4 crew 173 Panzerjaeger Abteilung 1 Marder III 1 50mm pak 38 & truck - 3 crew 13.Kompanie 229 Jagerregiment 8 figures The Soviet forces are not detailed in Carell's book. But from his analysis of the operation we can work out a probable force size. Carell states that the landing was aborted at daylight when 1500 men of the first wave had been sent ashore, 620 were killed, 594 made prisoners and the rest escaped to the east. 31 US made Stuarts and Lees were destroyed. From this we can work out that 2 Soviet light tank companies and one heavy/medium company would have been present. From looking at other sources the 83rd and 255th Naval Brigades were present in this operation. If the total of 1500 men in the first wave is to be believed then we can work out that no more than three Battalions were present, the heavy weapons held in reserve to be landed in a third or fourth wave. Soviet forces 3 battalions of naval infantry as above 3 companies of armour HQ -1 M3 Stuart 1 Gaz 67 jeep 2 light tank companies @ 3 M3 Stuarts 1 heavy tank company @ 2 M3 Lee Off board support - use pre game bombardment rules, equivalent of 3 120mm guns - not there are no Foo's or spotting allowed - suggest the Russians choose map/ game board co-ordinates before the axis forces deploy. Game restriction - no battalion heavy weapons may be landed until the 3rd or 4th wave. The first 2 waves must contain a minimum of 1 battalion of infantry each. Back to Frontline Vol. 1 Iss. 2 Table of Contents Back to Frontline List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 by Rolfe Hedges This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com