soviet_amphibious_operations_in_the_black_sea98

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by Charles B. Atwater, Jr.

Executive Summary

Thesis: The Soviet experience in amphibious warfare in World War II contributed to the development of Soviet operational art in combined arms operations.

Background: Four operations in the Black Sea, two in the early months of the war and two after the Soviets had gained the initiative against the Germans, are examined to illustrate Soviet amphibious warfare experience. As Soviet prewar writings show, some concepts of amphibious warfare were developed, but a lack of landing craft made successful landings difficult to achieve in the operations examined. A strong trait of adaptability and improvisation highlight the Soviet experience. The writings of Soviet historians and past military leaders constitute the majority of the source material.