The Battle of Motovskiy Bay

DATE: 02/03/2025

TIME (GMT): 19:00

ERA: WW2

MAP(S): Motovski Bay

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Jarvis for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 62 / 68

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RATING: (32)

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The Battle of Motovskiy Bay took place during July of 1941, part of the larger German effort to secure the Soviet port of Murmansk, otherwise known as Operation Silver Lion, the battle was characterised by the desolate conditions of the arctic and close quarters fighting between Soviet naval infantry and German mountain troops.

Despite initial success, the German advance towards Murmansk had been bogged down and by mid July advancements were down to a couple of miles a day, with thousands of casualties being suffered. To make matters worse Valerian Frolov, the commander of the Soviet 14th Army, had ordered the 12th Naval Infantry Brigade to make landings on the Litsa and Motovskiy Bays which threatened German positions to the South; furthermore, Soviet reinforcements continued to arrive to the front, with it becoming clearer to German commanders that without reinforcements the attack on Murmansk would be impossible.

The fighting around Zapadnaya Litsa and the Motovskiy Bay dragged on the weeks, and, despite having to retreat having suffered heavy casualties, the Soviet forces in the area had managed to stall German forces while reinforcements from the 14th Army continued to arrive, which would eventually lead to Soviet forces taking the initiative in the Northern front, thanks in part to the actions of the sailors of the 12th Naval Infantry Brigade.

16th July 1941, Motovskiy Bay, Murmansk Oblast - With Soviet reinforcements arriving across the Litsa and Motovskiy Bays, elements of the 12th Naval Infantry Brigade launch a counterattack against German mountain troops attempting to reach Murmansk.