Eastern Front #54 Operation Wilhelm

The Eastern Front Week by Week · Jun 11, 2026 · 39m

Last time we spoke about the barrage of Sevastopol. In late May 1942, Germany initiated Operation Störfang—an assault on the Soviet fortress of Sevastopol. German forces unleashed an unprecedented bombardment: 4,713 tons of ordnance in five days, including the legendary Dora 80cm railway gun, 48 Flak 88s that fired nearly 182,000 rounds, and massive Karl mortars. Against overwhelming firepower, Soviet commander Petrov could only muster 156 artillery pieces—a devastating 6-to-1 disadvantage—while watching his gun barrels wear beyond safe limits and his ammunition stores deplete. Beyond the…