Marines Against Hitler's 'White Wolves'

“Polundra!” During the Great Patriotic War, this battle cry of the Soviet naval infantry struck fear into the enemy—from Crimea to the Arctic. Their valor, steadfastness, and cheerful bravado entered legend. The Hitlerites named them “black death” for a reason and feared them even more than penal battalions and Guards assault units. On the front they knew: marines don’t retreat and don’t surrender to captivity. You can’t just kill them—you have to fell them. Before the attack, they loosened the gates so the striped undershirt was visible, clamped the ribbon ends of their caps between their teeth, and didn’t bow to bullets—only forward! POLUNDRA!..