In February 1943 the Soviet 18th Army tried to seize the Black Sea port of Novorossisk with a bold amphibious landing. The Romanian and German troops holding the area contained the attack, but could not drive the Red Army back into the sea. The 4th Mountain Division headed south to try its luck at wiping out the beachhead. On the wooded height known as Myshako, the unit met fighting as bloody as any First World War trench battle.

The mountaineers launched repeated attacks but could not dig the Soviets out of their hilltop positions. The well-led and resolute defenders retook every inch of lost ground. "Should I be killed in the fight for the workers' cause," read a note found on the body of a 15-year old Soviet volunteer, "I would be grateful if the commanders Verhinin and Kunitsin would take the first opportunity to see my mother in Yeisk and tell her that her son died for his country's freedom and give her my award, Komsomol card and this notebook."