Greentree, David/Shumate, Johnny Murmansk 1941

The Failure of Germany's Operation Platinum Fox

After capturing Narvik in 1940, the Germans advanced further north and took up positions on the Finnish border by June 1941. As part of the larger Operation Silver Fox, Operation Platinum Fox was carried out by a force of German mountain troops under the command of General Eduard Dietl. Murmansk was of crucial importance as it was the only port open all year round and was regularly visited by Allied convoys supplying the Russians with materials. The nickel deposits in nearby Finland also had to be protected and defended, as they were crucial for German arms production. Due to the inhospitable environment, Dietl found his options for action limited. Numerous rivers had to be crossed, but the Russian Northern Fleet began landing troops to threaten German lines of communication. After two failed attempts to cross the Litsa River, Dietl made a third attempt in September, but the Russian soldiers were ready to fight back. Here, historian David Greentree examines this lesser-known but strategically important campaign in the Arctic. For the German and Finnish troops, it was a resounding failure Dietl lost over 10,000 men for 15 miles of ground. With illustrations, historical images and detailed maps, this book shows why Operation Platinum Fox failed and how this affected the further course of the war.