with the front collapsing and the axis closing in on sevastopol, vice-admiral oktyabrsky assumed command of the port on 4 november 1941. the city had a civilian population of 111,000 in 1941, and most were sent to work on the three defence lines around the port. only the 7th and 8th naval infantry brigades were available for combat in the port. more naval infantry were formed from ships in the harbor. the 8th naval infantry brigade was sent to guard the northeastern approaches near the mamachai-belbek line. the 7th (5,200 men) was deployed in the center, near mekenzyya. with only 20,000 soldiers, oktyabrsky relied heavily on his 12 coastal battalions to slow down the axis. the 62nd fighter brigade contributed 61 fighters, which were able to achieve temporary air superiority.