ORDER OF BATTLE // February 4, 1943
Malaya Zemlya
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
1 sides catalogued · combined 800 estimated
Union soviétique
800
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
Malaya Zemlya was a Soviet outpost on Cape Myskhako, west of Tsemes Bay on the Black Sea, recaptured from German forces on the night of 4 February 1943 during the broader Battle of the Caucasus. The operation was conducted by a force of 800 Soviet troops under Tsezar Kunikov against German positions commanded by Richard Ruoff. By reestablishing a foothold at this uphill position, the Soviets gained a tactical platform that paved the way for a subsequent attack on German forces in Novorossiysk, extending Soviet pressure along the Black Sea coast during the Caucasus campaign.
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