To liberate the Kuban region the Soviets launched an amphibious operation to capture Novorossiysk.
The main landing was a fiasco but a smaller diversionary landing at Stanichka by Major Kunikov's 305th Naval Infantry Battalion succeeded in gaining a toe hold in the morning of 4 February. Digging in around a brick school house and with barely 800 lightly armed troops Kunikov awaited reinforcements.
After tentative probing attacks, on the morning of 5 February the Germans began a series of counterattacks. Initially these attacks were platoon size, as shown in this painting with the support of a StuG III assault gun. A dozen German counter attacks were repulsed, but forced Kunikov's Naval infantry into a smaller pocket, closer to the water and now low on ammunition.
The Germans lacked sufficient troops for an all out assault, giving the Soviets the opportunity to reinforce the beachhead with 5000 troops.
The bravery and determination of Kunikov's troops was one of the defining moments of the Kuban campaign and would shape the eventual outcome.

FROM: Osprey Publishing's, 'The Kuban, 1943

PRICE: £545.00 (unframed)
SIZE: Image approx. H 32 cm x W 48 cm (H 12.5 x W 19 inches)
MEDIUM: Watercolour and gouache