Bombardment of Tanais (Premysloides Dynasty)

Background
Settlement Tanais had long history since Ancient Greece, when it was Greek colony on Black Sea coast. Later, Tanais many time changed owner, until it became merchant port city of Republic of Venice. During Imperial Restoration, Tanais as very mixed city, however with some influental Venetians merchants, was able to avoid revenge of Roman Empire and Emperor Romanos.

Until Imperial Campaign of Rus, Tanais and Voronezh had trade connections with Roman Empire and proper relations.

Attack Plan
Admiral Borislaw Rashka, commander of Black Sea Imperial Fleet, persuaded High Command and Emperor to use "Genoese Tactic", similar to that one used by Emperor Romanos during Imperial Restoration and punitive expedition against traitors - total bombardment of city and capturing burning ruins.

After bombardment, Imperial Fleet will land newly formed Naval Infantry and other armed sailors to capture Tanais and prepare attack on Voronezh.

New double-decker ships reinforced and upgraded Black Sea Imperial Fleet and attack was ordered on June 17, 1374, two days after invasion, to prevent Tanais sent their forces to help defend Commonwealth.

Bombardment
Admiral Rashka personally led fleet. 25 double-decker ships armed with 40 18-pounders artillery gun each, left Theodosia Port on early morning 1374 and arrived to Tanais at afternoon. On 15:30, ships started bombardment against city, which had only very small war fleet. Most of their ships were merchant ships and they had only 8 recruited mercenary and pirate ships. Imperial Fleet destroyed enemy fleet in about one hour and from 16:47 until 19:30, artillery bombed Tanais. During that time, Imperial Fleet fired about 8,500 shells. Only real casualties of Empire was explosion of one of their ships, because of artillery gun explosion.

At 20:00, Tanais were burning ruines. Everyone in city was killed, or fleed from city. At 21:00, Imperial Naval Infantry landed and secured breachhead, moved to burning ruins and set encampement and provisional command camp.

Aftermath
Bombing killed about 450 garrison troops, destroyed 8 enemy ships and killed 1,000 sailors who died because of fire, or drowned. Aside of military casualties, about 6,000 civilians (two thirds of population) died during bombardment. Survivors were sent to Imperial Hospitals and granted money compensation.

Tanais was later restored as "New Achtopol" and became local military shipyard and merchant port city.