Heroic Defense of Odessa

For 73 days, Soviet troops heroically held back the advancing Nazi forces at Odessa, preventing German and Romanian troops from advancing in the southern direction. More than 100,000 Odessans participated in building defensive fortifications: three defense lines were constructed, and over 250 barricades were erected in the city. From the sea, the city was protected by ships and coastal artillery of the Black Sea Fleet.

The Nazi and allied forces significantly outnumbered the Soviet troops defending Odessa. The Romanian contingent alone exceeded 340,000 soldiers.

Enemy losses amounted to over 160,000 soldiers and officers, about 200 aircraft, and up to 100 tanks. Resistance continued even after the fascists entered the city. An underground Odessa Regional Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Ukraine and district committee were established; about 40,000 residents retreated into the catacombs and continued resistance until the city’s complete liberation on April 10, 1944. In the surrounding areas, two partisan detachments operated, eliminating about 3,000 occupiers and collaborators.

The defense of Odessa ended on October 16, 1941, not in defeat, but by command of the leadership. The city’s defenders withdrew undefeated.

On December 22, 1942, the medal 'For the Defense of Odessa' was established—awarded to more than 30,000 people.