Soviet Naval Infantry During The Great Patriotic War.

vikingraider1 · 08-15-2003, 02:08 PM

Can anybody recommend any good books (either Cyrillic or in English) on Naval Infantry during world War Two?
Thanks

otlichnik · 08-19-2003, 09:02 AM

There is a good pocket book by a veteran, "Blood on the Shores" by Leonov.

There is no other special book in print. There were some unclassified DIA manuals which you may find on ebay or with a big US Army manual dealer. But they were all focussed on the 1970s-80s.

Shawn

salyan · 08-19-2003, 06:47 PM

Viking..
Shawn also informed me about Leavenworth papers... a study on Northern Fleet naval ops in WW2. It is very informative and there are lots of details which may be of help to you. I am sorry I can't find the link at the moment, but the papers can be found on line. Do a search under leavenworth and "Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation" (that is the title of the paper).

Dan

vikingraider1 · 08-19-2003, 07:09 PM

Thanks to both of you for the information. I already had a copy of "Blood on the Shores" which is ok but subject to a lot of Soviet propaganda. There are some useful notes contained within the text though.
The other link proved a good source too. I have downloaded it and will study it over the next couple of day.
Thanks again.

Kim · 09-06-2003, 05:18 AM

I found this when I was browsing. I have't read it myself but it's seem to be what you are looking for. If you want more info just PM me.

/Kim

"COMMANDOS FROM THE SEA
Soviet Naval Spetsnaz in World War II

By Yuri F. Strekhnin
James F. Gebhardt

Special Warfare Series

During the Cold War the Soviets' elite naval spetsnaz units earned the grudging respect of the world's special operations forces as the Eastern Bloc's toughest, best-trained commandos. Available for the first time in the West, this book tells the dramatic, action-packed story of the World War II forerunners of spetsnaz, the naval ground reconnaissance detachments, as they lead the Soviet advance through the Crimea with the Black Sea Fleet and through southwest Europe with the Danube Flotilla.

Readers follow the expert swimmers, parachutists, skiers, mountain climbers, marksmen, and hand-to-hand combat specialists on one impossible mission after another, penetrating the Germans' rear areas to gather intelligence and conduct partisan and diversionary-demolition operations. With prices on their heads, hounded by ever-growing numbers of German SS troops, the commandos lived by their wits and off the land, fighting their way out of every dangerous situation, blowing up bridges and fortifications, ambushing German patrols, snatching prisoners, and reporting enemy strengths. It is a story that reads like the best action/adventure fiction.

Based on interviews and archival research, this unique contribution to the history of special operations is a moving human drama of unorthodox characters who volunteer for perilous missions out of love for country, each other, and their commander, Senior Lieutenant Viktor Kalganov--known as "The Beard." This translation is the only account in English that details the little-known special warfare unit.

Yuriy Strekhnin has written several books about Soviet military operations in World War II. This book was first published in Russian in 1962.

James Gebhardt also translated Blood on the Shores: Soviet Naval Commandos in World War II, among other books. He works for a defense contractor in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas."

skipper1939 · 10-14-2003, 06:10 PM

For a general reference I would also recommend V. Dotsenko's comprehensive book Flot voina pobeda 1942-45 (St. Petersburg, "Sudostroenie," 1995. It is devided into sections by fleet and gives an overview of operations by each. It has special sections on naval infantry operations as well as the participation of grounded ships crews fighting as infantry. It's focus is not to give deep detail, but to provide reference. The most detailed section is probably on the northern fleet, which is also treated in Victor Leonov's book (noted above). Dotsenko gives the big picture, Leonov provides an up-close personal experience.

Dr. Bob Clawson

vikingraider1 · 10-15-2003, 04:02 AM

Thanks Kim,
I have ordered a copy of the book you mentioned.

Bob,
is this the same V. Dotsenko that wrote "The Russian Marine Uniform: History and Traditions. XVIII-XX centiries"?

skipper1939 · 10-15-2003, 06:22 AM

I am not familiar with the marine uniform book, but it seems very likely that it is the same author. He is, happily, a very fine writer and his pobeda is a must reference for anyone interested in Soviet naval operations in the war. A much neglected subject. I was able to get a copy at the MAX show in Pittsburgh two years ago. Sorry I don't have the dealers name or e-mail but he stocks reference books, medals and awards, and patches.

Good luck,

Dr. Bob

vikingraider1 · 10-15-2003, 05:50 PM

Hello Bob,
Can you tell me is this book in English or in Russian?

skipper1939 · 10-15-2003, 06:52 PM

Raider:

The Pobeda book that I have is in Russian. I don't know whether or not anyone has translated it for, say, U.S. naval history studies but they should. The U.S. navy tends to look at Russian WW II naval operations from the German point of view - i.e. marginal, therefore not worth much study. As in so much more about the war, the Soviets kept it quiet for a very long time (like Kursk), thus tending to reify the American conventional wisdom.

I don't think a book like Pobeda could have been published in Soviet times (maybe under Gorbachev?) because it is certainly not a tale of unsullied triumph. But there was a lot more achieved by Soviet naval forces than anyone in the West realized.

Those portions devoted to naval infantry and grounded ship crews is only a minor part of the book, however; it concentrates on putting together a kind of "order of battle" of all the fleets and flotillas.

Bob

08-15-2003, 02:08 PM	#1
vikingraider1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, Home of West Ham United Age: 54 Posts: 328	Soviet Naval Infantry During The Great Patriotic War. Can anybody recommend any good books (either Cyrillic or in English) on Naval Infantry during world War Two? Thanks __________________ "We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with the graves of our dead... and, in the course of my pilgrimage, I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war." King George V, Flanders, 1922

08-19-2003, 06:47 PM	#3
salyan Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Florida, USA Age: 58 Posts: 40	also... Viking.. Shawn also informed me about Leavenworth papers... a study on Northern Fleet naval ops in WW2. It is very informative and there are lots of details which may be of help to you. I am sorry I can't find the link at the moment, but the papers can be found on line. Do a search under leavenworth and "Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation" (that is the title of the paper). Dan __________________ Dan S. Florida, USA

08-19-2003, 07:09 PM	#4
vikingraider1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, Home of West Ham United Age: 54 Posts: 328	Thanks to both of you for the information. I already had a copy of "Blood on the Shores" which is ok but subject to a lot of Soviet propaganda. There are some useful notes contained within the text though. The other link proved a good source too. I have downloaded it and will study it over the next couple of day. Thanks again. __________________ "We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with the graves of our dead... and, in the course of my pilgrimage, I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war." King George V, Flanders, 1922

09-06-2003, 05:18 AM	#5
Kim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 227	I found this when I was browsing. I have't read it myself but it's seem to be what you are looking for. If you want more info just PM me. /Kim "COMMANDOS FROM THE SEA Soviet Naval Spetsnaz in World War II By Yuri F. Strekhnin James F. Gebhardt Special Warfare Series During the Cold War the Soviets' elite naval spetsnaz units earned the grudging respect of the world's special operations forces as the Eastern Bloc's toughest, best-trained commandos. Available for the first time in the West, this book tells the dramatic, action-packed story of the World War II forerunners of spetsnaz, the naval ground reconnaissance detachments, as they lead the Soviet advance through the Crimea with the Black Sea Fleet and through southwest Europe with the Danube Flotilla. Readers follow the expert swimmers, parachutists, skiers, mountain climbers, marksmen, and hand-to-hand combat specialists on one impossible mission after another, penetrating the Germans' rear areas to gather intelligence and conduct partisan and diversionary-demolition operations. With prices on their heads, hounded by ever-growing numbers of German SS troops, the commandos lived by their wits and off the land, fighting their way out of every dangerous situation, blowing up bridges and fortifications, ambushing German patrols, snatching prisoners, and reporting enemy strengths. It is a story that reads like the best action/adventure fiction. Based on interviews and archival research, this unique contribution to the history of special operations is a moving human drama of unorthodox characters who volunteer for perilous missions out of love for country, each other, and their commander, Senior Lieutenant Viktor Kalganov--known as "The Beard." This translation is the only account in English that details the little-known special warfare unit. Yuriy Strekhnin has written several books about Soviet military operations in World War II. This book was first published in Russian in 1962. James Gebhardt also translated Blood on the Shores: Soviet Naval Commandos in World War II, among other books. He works for a defense contractor in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas." __________________ medaljblogg.wordpress.com Blog in Swedish

10-15-2003, 04:02 AM	#7
vikingraider1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, Home of West Ham United Age: 54 Posts: 328	Thanks Kim, I have ordered a copy of the book you mentioned. Bob, is this the same V. Dotsenko that wrote "The Russian Marine Uniform: History and Traditions. XVIII-XX centiries"? __________________ "We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with the graves of our dead... and, in the course of my pilgrimage, I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war." King George V, Flanders, 1922

08-19-2003, 09:02 AM	#2
otlichnik Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Age: 56 Posts: 547	There is a good pocket book by a veteran, "Blood on the Shores" by Leonov. There is no other special book in print. There were some unclassified DIA manuals which you may find on ebay or with a big US Army manual dealer. But they were all focussed on the 1970s-80s. Shawn

10-14-2003, 06:10 PM	#6
skipper1939 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent, Ohio - USA Age: 84 Posts: 61	For a general reference I would also recommend V. Dotsenko's comprehensive book Flot voina pobeda 1942-45 (St. Petersburg, "Sudostroenie," 1995. It is devided into sections by fleet and gives an overview of operations by each. It has special sections on naval infantry operations as well as the participation of grounded ships crews fighting as infantry. It's focus is not to give deep detail, but to provide reference. The most detailed section is probably on the northern fleet, which is also treated in Victor Leonov's book (noted above). Dotsenko gives the big picture, Leonov provides an up-close personal experience. Dr. Bob Clawson

10-15-2003, 06:22 AM	#8
skipper1939 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent, Ohio - USA Age: 84 Posts: 61	I am not familiar with the marine uniform book, but it seems very likely that it is the same author. He is, happily, a very fine writer and his pobeda is a must reference for anyone interested in Soviet naval operations in the war. A much neglected subject. I was able to get a copy at the MAX show in Pittsburgh two years ago. Sorry I don't have the dealers name or e-mail but he stocks reference books, medals and awards, and patches. Good luck, Dr. Bob

10-15-2003, 05:50 PM	#9
vikingraider1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, Home of West Ham United Age: 54 Posts: 328	Hello Bob, Can you tell me is this book in English or in Russian? __________________ "We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with the graves of our dead... and, in the course of my pilgrimage, I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war." King George V, Flanders, 1922

10-15-2003, 06:52 PM	#10
skipper1939 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent, Ohio - USA Age: 84 Posts: 61	Raider: The Pobeda book that I have is in Russian. I don't know whether or not anyone has translated it for, say, U.S. naval history studies but they should. The U.S. navy tends to look at Russian WW II naval operations from the German point of view - i.e. marginal, therefore not worth much study. As in so much more about the war, the Soviets kept it quiet for a very long time (like Kursk), thus tending to reify the American conventional wisdom. I don't think a book like Pobeda could have been published in Soviet times (maybe under Gorbachev?) because it is certainly not a tale of unsullied triumph. But there was a lot more achieved by Soviet naval forces than anyone in the West realized. Those portions devoted to naval infantry and grounded ship crews is only a minor part of the book, however; it concentrates on putting together a kind of "order of battle" of all the fleets and flotillas. Bob

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