the port was a valuable target. its importance as a potential naval and air base would enable the axis to conduct far-ranging sea and air operations against soviet targets into and over the caucasus ports and mountains. the red air force had been using the crimea as a base to attack targets in romania since the axis invasion in june 1941, proving its usefulness as an air base. likewise, the wehrmacht had launched a bombing raid on the sevastopol naval base at the start of the invasion.