Eastern Front #55 The cracks start to appear at Sevastopol

The Eastern Front Week by Week · Jun 18, 2026 · 35m

Last time we spoke about Operation Wilhelm. In June 1942, the Wehrmacht prepared its massive Fall Blau (Case Blue) offensive in southern Russia. As prelude, Operation Wilhelm sought to eliminate a Soviet bulge near Izyum through double envelopment. Initially successful, German forces encircled the Soviet 28th Army despite severe rain hampering mechanized units. Yet while Wilhelm secured favorable positions, it yielded fewer prisoners and destroyed equipment than expected—only 24,800 POWs instead of wholesale annihilation. Simultaneously, Field Marshal Manstein assaulted the heavily fortified…