During the Great Patriotic War, Admiral N.E. Basisty commanded a cruiser, a detachment of light forces, and then a squadron of the Black Sea Fleet. Under his leadership, many naval operations were carried out, including landing operations. In his memoirs, the author writes about the people of the fleet and their military affairs, about how the art of commanders was improved. Especially detailed in the book are the Kerch-Feodosia landing operation and the operation near Ozereyka - Stanichka.