Manstein fought a masterly campaign to capture and subdue the Crimea, although outnumbered by his enemy, and by December his 11th Army and the 3rd Roumanian Army had fought their way to the outskirts of the city. In May 1942, the assault was resumed, this time with success, and the port was firmly in German hands. Two years later, in 1944, the position was reversed when huge Russian formations were brought to bear on Sevastopol. Totally outnumbered and outgunned, the German 17th Army stood its ground after Hitler had refused to give permission to a withdrawal, and when they were eventually allowed to retreat, losses and casualties suffered were of a magnitude comparable to the disaster at Stalingrad. Through a visit to the Crimea, Robin has become intimately acquainted with this area, the port and its history, and his presentation closed with a report about present-day Sevastopol, supplemented by slides about people, conditions, monuments and fortifications.
Visitors are welcome.
Donations R 3.00. Students and Scholars free. Tea and Biscuits will be served.