Ložmetējkalns (Machine Gun Hill) in Tīreļpurvs Bog
Battle site
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Ložmetējkalns is located in Valgunde Rural Territory, Jelgava Municipality, close to the A9 motorway. It is the site of a World War I battle and the only cultural heritage conservation site of national importance in Latvia. Ložmetējkalns is located on Garā Kāpa Dune, which is a part of the Nordeķi-Kalnciems dune ridge. The name originated at a time when it was the site of impregnable fortifications of the German Army, which was defended by heavy machine-gun fire.
The Christmas Battles are one of the best-known and most dramatic events of World War I in the history of Latvia. In 1917, the units of Latvian Riflemen and Siberian riflemen of the Russian Army attacked and took Ložmetējkalns, capturing at least 600 enemy troops and valuable trophies. The riflemen believed that they were the ones who deserved the honour of captors of the highlands.
The area around Ložmetējkalns Hill is home to commemorative marks and other evidence of the battles that took place here. Every year, in January, memorial events are held in the surroundings of Ložmetējkalns to remember the Christmas Battles. Nowadays, Ložmetējkalns has become a symbol and a memorial site dedicated to the heroism of Latvian Riflemen. A 27-metre-high observation tower offers panoramic views of the site of Christmas Battles.
Used sources and references:
Hartmanis, J. The Christmas Battle from a Modern Perspective. Available: http://latviesustrelniekusaraksts.lv/Kaujas_darbiba/Book_6.html [Accessed: 29.03.2021.].
Blizzard of Souls. Digital Museum. Available: https://www.dveseluputenis.lv/lv/laika-skala/notikums/86/lozmetejkalna-ienemsana/ [Accessed: 29.03.2021.].
Related stories
A diary entry about the moment when soldiers learn about preparations for the Christmas battles.
The Latvian riflemen and their officers were informed about the beginning of the battle at the last moment. The non-commissioned officer of the 5th Zemgale Latvian Riflemen Regiment, Rūdolfs Ivanovs, described in his diary the last evening before the start of the battle. A short, but vivid and authentic text that shows a very important moment for a soldier – learning about the day of the battle.
Building defensive positions.
The description examines the problems of battlefield fortification in general. It is based on the experience of World War I and the situation when it was necessary to organize extensive work on the creation of fortifications.
About Christmas battles
The Christmas Battles ended on January 11. The Latvian riflemen managed to capture the heavily fortified German army position - Ložmetējkalnu - on the third day of the battle. The price of the Christmas Battles was very high. Hundreds of Latvian and other Russian army soldiers had lost their lives trying to knock the Germans out of their positions. The narrator vividly describes the scenes on the battlefield after the end of the Christmas Battles.