the primary objective for the 22nd infantry division on 13 june was fort stalin, blocking the advance to severnaya bay. it was a tough position. the fortifications allowed the soviet forces to concentrate artillery against breakthroughs and machine gun posts protected the fort from southern and eastern attacks, but it was vulnerable from a northern assault. in addition, only 200 men from the 345th rifle division were stationed there. the germans launched their assault on the position at 03:00 on 13 june with just 813 men. the 3rd battalion was assigned to suppress soviet machine gun and mortar positions located on the southeast as a diversion. the 1st battalion, supported by five stug assault guns, two 37mm guns and an engineer company were to serve as the main effort. some 200 and 110 men were committed respectively in each unit.