An entry in the diary of the moment when soldiers learn about preparing for the Christmas battles.
Lettische Schützen und ihre Offiziere wurden in letzter Minute über den Beginn der Schlacht informiert. Rūdolfs Ivanovs, ein Unteroffizier des 5. Lettischen Schützenregiments von Zemgale, beschrieb am letzten Abend vor Beginn der Schlacht im Tagebuch. Ein kurzer, aber heller und authentischer Text, der einen sehr wichtigen Moment für einen Soldaten zeigt - erfährt mehr über den Tag der Schlacht.
"Uns wurde heute Morgen gesagt, dass morgen um 5.00 muss zum Angriff gehen. Diesmal werden alle acht lettischen Schützenregimenter getroffen. Wir begannen, uns auf unsere bevorstehende Aufgabe vorzubereiten. Die erste Aufgabe bestand darin, saubere Kleidung zu verstauen und all die anderen Extrasachen in ihre Taschen zu packen. Wir haben die Tüten mit den Adressen unserer Hausfrauen versehen und dem Leiter unseres Juweliergeschäfts zur Aufbewahrung übergeben. Ich gab meinem Mann auch das Dolchholster und behielt nur ein Gewehr mit einem nackten Dolch, eine Granatentasche und eine Anti-Gas-Maske. Wir haben unsere übliche Norm zweimal ergänzt, weil wir zusätzliche Brustpatronenbeutel voller Patronen erhalten haben. Dann wurde das Bajonett auf einem Ziegelstein oder Stein angespitzt, aber wir schrieben Briefe an die Hausfrauen über alles, vielleicht schrieben wir die letzten Grüße, weil wir nicht wussten, wo und unter welchen Bedingungen wir morgen auf dem Schlachtfeld sein würden. Untereinander, unter den Angehörigen der engsten Kämpfe, haben wir uns gegenseitig die Adressen anvertraut: Wenn sich jemand entschließt, unsere Reihen auf dem Schlachtfeld zu verlassen, sollten die Überlebenden dies den Angehörigen oder Verwandten der Gefallenen melden.
https://www.sargs.lv/lv/pirmais-pasaules-kars/2015-12-08/ziemassvetku-kaujas-latviesu-strelnieku-atminas
Zugehörige Zeitleiste
Zugehörige Objekte
The Christmas Battle museum and outdoor exhibition
The Christmas Battle Memorial Park and Museum is located in Jelgava municipality, Valgunde parish, in the Mangaļi homestead. This museum is a branch of the Latvian War Museum. It was opened in 2005 and is located in the area where Christmas Battles took place. Unique World War I fortifications still remain in locations where battles took place. The indoor exhibit contains objects found in the battlefield. The open-air exposition has reconstructed fortifications. There are tourist routes and informative trails in the vicinity of the museum. The open-air exposition of World War I fortifications and indoor exhibits are available to visitors every day. Unique evidence of World War I fortifications can still be found in the vicinity of Ložmetējkalns. There is a 27 m tall observation tower that provides a panoramic view of the area where the Christmas Battle took place. The Christmas Battle is probably the best known and most dramatic event of World War I in Latvia. It has a special place in Latvia’s military and cultural history. This engagement is mainly associated with the attack of Latvian Riflemen on the German Army units in extremely harsh and unfavourable conditions. And it was also a unique situation where a large-scale combat operation was started without artillery support.
Christmas battles memorial at Antinu Brethren Cemetery
Located in Babīte district, on the side of the road near the former Antiņi house and the old medicine warehouse.
The cemetery of Antiņi or Tīreļi soldiers was established during the First World War. The defense positions of the army of the Russian Empire were located in the area. In 1917, during the Christmas battles, the headquarters of the 5th Zemgale Latvian Rifle Regiment and an infirmary with a medicine warehouse were located nearby.
In the night of January 5, 1917, in the light of eight huge bonfires, 105 fighters of the 5th Zemgale Latvian Rifle Regiment were buried in military honor. They fell in battle against the German army or died from injuries. The funeral ceremony was led by Regiment Commander Jukums Vācietis. In later years, soldiers from other units of the Russian army were also buried in the cemetery. In 1925, a monument to the architect Eizen Laube was unveiled in the cemetery, and the territory was landscaped. Information about the 3,800 soldiers buried in the cemetery can be found in many places, but it must be assessed as unlikely and unverified.
Machine Gun Hill
Located in Jelgava region, near the A9 motorway.
Ložmetējkalns is a place of World War I fighting, which is the only cultural and historical reserve of national significance in Latvia. It is located on the Long Dune, which is part of the Nordeķi - Kalnciems dune ridge. The name of the machine gun hill originated at a time when there were hard-to-occupy fortifications of the German army, which were defended by a strong machine gun fire.
Christmas battles are probably the best known and most dramatic event of World War I in the history of Latvia. It occupies a special place in the military and cultural history of Latvia. In 1917, the Latvian Rifle and Siberian units of the Russian army attacked Ložmetējkalns and occupied it. At least 600 opponents were captured, as well as valuable trophies, such as 19 machine guns. This was the most significant success of the Christmas battles and the greatest gain that the Russian troops had achieved on the Riga front. Latvian riflemen believed that they deserved the honor of the conquerors of the highlands.
Today, there is a lookout tower with views of former battles. Memorials and wartime evidence can be seen in the area. The Silenieki Brothers Cemetery is nearby.
