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p I, son of my Homeland, brought up among the working people, vow to defend my Naval fortress on the Black SeaSevastopol-bravely and use my rifle to the best of ability.

p I shall kill as many enemies as I can and part with my life as dearly as possible. After fighting off two enemy attacks we shall fight off the third too and completely rout them.

5.06.42. V. Azarov

p Vasily Azarov was born in 1919. He fell in action while fending off the third and most desperate nazi drive on Sevastopol in June 1942.

p About this time the combat around Sevastopol had reached its climax. Endeavouring to quickly overrun the key Soviet naval base on the Black Sea, Hitler’s High Command hurled 11 divisions-over 300,000 fighting men-against the port’s defenders. Enemy forces were backed up by 400 tanks, 2,000 guns and more than 500 planes. Taking advantage of their overwhelming superiority, the nazis tore into the town from land and air.

p Cut off from their land communications and having great difficulty in obtaining military supplies and provisions, the Soviet soldiers, sailors and townsmen accomplished wonders of gallantry and heroism.

p The defence of Sevastopol was of immense military and political significance. By diverting a vast number of German and Rumanian troops, the defenders foiled the German High Command’s plans. Through their astonishing grit and fortitude, the Sevastopol men gave the enemy far more than he expected and dealt shattering blows to his manpower and armaments.

p Defence of the port lasted for 250 heroic days, of which every one bore its own tale of valour. Few came out alive. But their names are forever inscribed on the roll of the war’s bravest defenders.

The courageous words written by Vasily Azarov show the indomitable spirit of the Soviet fighters for the fortress of the Black Sea.