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.
“(..)In this time of war, a soldier must be able to handle a shovel as well as a rifle. If a soldier has achieved success, it is necessary to immediately harden himself with a shovel, despite fatigue. In a field war, each unit of the army must be able to build trenches on its own with its own forces, which is why it is necessary to know the principles of fortification and digging trenches well, as well as the organization of work. (..)”
“(..) In all foreign armies, each infantry regiment has sapper or pioneer teams or companies. To distinguish infantry sappers from technical troops sappers, in some countries infantry sappers are called pioneers, as we will call them. The task of pioneers in an infantry regiment is to perform such work that infantrymen are unable to do for some reason, such as mining fields, carrying out simple blasting work, building dugouts, reinforcing cellars, preparing camouflage nets and paints, etc. In addition, pioneer officers must participate in reconnaissance of the position of the regiment and battalion, give their assessment and present the construction plan and work plan to the regiment or battalion commander. Pioneer officers may also be assigned to supervise fortification work and give their recommendations, and distribute the tools and materials to be carried by the companies. Pioneer officers, however, must not interfere with the work of the infantry and hinder them. Disputes are always resolved regiment or battalion commander. In all larger countries, each division has a sapper or engineer battalion, consisting of 2-3 sapper companies and an engineer park. In smaller countries, which are not so rich and cannot purchase a lot of technical equipment, each division has a sapper company and an engineer park. Sappers are divided into various specialties, such as explosives, carpenters, miners, pontoons, camouflagers, etc. Sappers must support the infantry in battle due to fortified positions, reconnaissance, overcoming obstacles and strikes. Sappers receive orders from infantry commanders. Sappers are assigned the most difficult technical tasks that infantry cannot perform, such as: laying out column roads in difficult terrain, preparing and maintaining bridges, laying minefields, blasting, carrying mine galleries, etc. Sappers carry the necessary amount of explosives, materials for building bridges and trenches, obstacles for the installation of etc. In richer countries, metal collapsible bridges are already being prepared in peacetime, which can be erected in a short time and over which heavy loads can be placed. (..)”
Description of the technique. No. 3. 1927. Fortification of the battlefield.
Related timeline
Related objects
Christmas Battle Museum
The museum is located in “Mangali” house, Valgunde Rural Territory, Jelgava Municipality, and it is a branch of the Latvian War Museum. It was unveiled in 2005 at the site of the Christmas Battles that occurred during World War I. Unique World War I fortifications still remain at the battle sites. The open-air exhibition of the Christmas Battle Museum reconstructs a section of the fortification system – the trench shelter and part of the first line of German defence – the “German rampart”, which is the only object of this kind in the Baltic states.
The Christmas Battles are one of the best known and most dramatic events of World War I in Latvia. They are an event of special importance in Latvian military and cultural history. Intense fighting took place for six days, leading to heavy casualties. The battles are mainly associated with the attack of Latvian Riflemen against the German Army units, which took place in particularly severe and unfavourable winter conditions. This is an unprecedented case of a major combat operation launched without artillery support.
Today, the museum artefacts found at the sites of the battle are on display. The indoor exhibition is open at certain times, while the exhibition of outdoor fortifications is open every day. Tourist routes and nature trails have been created in the surrounding area.
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 Antiņi or Tīreļi Soldiers' Cemetery was established during World War I. The area was home to defensive positions of the Russian Empire Army. In 1917, during the Christmas Battles, the headquarters of the 5th Zemgale Latvian Rifle Regiment, a hospital with a medicine warehouse, were located nearby.
In 1917, on the night of January 5-6, under the illumination of eight huge bonfires, 105 fighters of the 5th Semigallian Latvian Rifle Regiment were buried with military honors. They fell in battles against the German army or died of wounds. The burial ceremony was led by the regiment's commander, Jukums Vācietis. In later years, soldiers from other units of the Russian army were also buried in the cemetery. In 1925, a monument by architect Eižens Laube was unveiled in the cemetery, and the territory was landscaped. Information about 3,800 soldiers buried in the cemetery is found in many places, but it should be considered unlikely and unverified.
Latvian riflemen positions and trenches in Tīreļi
Latvian Riflemen dugouts and trenches in Tīreļi are located in Babīte parish, Mārupe municipality, in the vicinity of the Antiņi Latvian Riflemen Cemetery and the former medicine warehouse. During World War I this was the defensive position of Latvian Riflemen of the Russian Imperial Army. A complex of trenches and surface dugouts was built in the sandy hills. Trench or positional warfare is the best way to accurately describe World War I and emphasise the importance of fortifications. They were based on the research of military engineers and adapted to the environment and the development of new weapons. The everyday life of a soldier is a continuous improvement of defensive fortifications. Sometimes soldiers would give the dugouts names that reminded them of their homes and would help to forget about the reality of the war. Trench lines were complex defensive systems that were hard for the enemy to take. With the development of weapons these defences became even more sophisticated. The roofs of dugouts were reinforced to withstand artillery shells. Trenches were made in changing patterns and directions so that explosions would cause as little damage as possible. Movement passages had pockets that were used as short-term hiding spots during artillery fire, because they protected soldiers from shrapnel and rubble. Today part of the fortification has been restored and you can visit 3 restored dugouts and a 100 m long section of the trenches.
Ložmetējkalns (Machine Gun Hill) in Tīreļpurvs Bog
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.
WWI Historical Exploration Route and dugout
Located in Olaine, near the Olaine History and Art Museum.
The historical route was created in 2018 at the site of the Russian army fortifications during World War I, which were part of the area's defense system. The battles between the German and Russian armies in the Olaine area attract attention for several reasons. The swampy terrain prevented the warring parties from achieving quick success and required soldiers to have diverse skills when operating in adverse conditions. Accurate terrain analysis, reconnaissance, and fortifications or engineering structures played a major role in warfare.
Today, the educational route is freely accessible and provides a rough idea of the living conditions of the soldiers. The restored buildings are closed, but can be viewed by contacting the specialists of the Olaine History and Art Museum in advance.
Olaine History and Art Museum
The exhibit in the Olaine History and Art Museum is about the period of Soviet occupation in Olaine. A World War I exploration route with restored elements of the fortifications has been created in the territory of the museum. On the site, where the World War I Russian Army defence line once was, a Russian soldier-type dugout has been built and a fragment of a shooting tower can be viewed by visitors. A World War I reinforced concrete fortification can be seen in Jaunolaine, at the intersection to Plakanciems. During World War I, active battles were fought between the Russian and German armies in this area. Latvian Riflemen units were involved in intelligence and various other operations. Marshy lands made it difficult to defend, but this was a very important area in Latvian military history. Olaine was formed due to the convenient location between Jelgava and Riga, where Jaunolaine is currently located. The Olaine manor was nearby. The modern day Olaine was built during the Soviet occupation, when industrial companies began their operations there.
