Pillbox I WW1, II WW2, IV Soviet Occupation

The memorial of the fallen officer of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps of the Red Army, Jakob Kundera (deleted), is located at the cemetery 200 metres south-west of the Blidene-Remte road and the Riga-Liepaja railway junction.

On 17 March 1945, the last attempt of the Red Army's offensive in Kurzeme began. The task of the 7th Estonian Rifle Division of the Estonian 8th Rifle Corps was to reach the Riga-Liepaja railway line west of Blidene station and to secure the attack of the Mechanised Corps of the 3rd Guards in the direction of Gaiki. By the evening of 17 March, the 354th Rifle Regiment reached the railway south of Kaulači Manor through the forest and continued its attacks in a north-westerly direction. As the attacks of the 130th Latvian Rifle Corps towards Pilsblidene Manor were not so successful, the Estonian 300th Rifle Regiment was tasked to attack westwards and south-westwards on the night of 18 March to cross the railway from the north to capture Blidene station.

In the vicinity of Blīdene station, already in the spring of 1940, the Latvian army had built temporary barracks and warehouses, which were designated as "Barracks". During 1945, the German army built several underground shelters (bunkers) in the vicinity of the station, where soldiers could live during the winter. There were no fortifications, driven or given, and it is most likely that Lieutenant Jakob Kunder fell during close combat at one of the bunkers.

Immediately after the battle, Jakob Kunder was buried in what is now Pilsblidene Cemetery, and later reburied in the Tuški Brethren Cemetery.

Today, a symbolic Soviet reproduction of a reinforced concrete machine-gun embrasure with a commemorative plaque can be seen.

A concrete fire point of the German army during the First World War, located on the slope of the left bank of the Daugava, 300 m east of Tamboviči, on the road Bauska - Aizkraukle (P87). Two hatches have been preserved from the cast concrete firing point. After the reconstruction of the road, its area (shore slope) has been cleared of bushes and the object is now clearly visible when driving from the road. The road is narrow and there is no place to park a car near the object! It is difficult to get to the object because the slope is steep and sometimes slippery. There are beautiful views of the Daugava valley from the road.

It is located about 0.25 km east of the extension of a small stream (the stream flows near Lejasgrantinin) on the slope of the shore of the Ķegums HPP. From the Jaunjelgava - Ķeguma road (P85), you can look for it by walking along the bank of the Daugava (overgrown, before that - a forest clearing). A careful observer will also notice it from the river, as lush vegetation has grown here during the summer. The concrete parts of the fire point are covered with green moss, metal and wooden structures are visible in the opening. As a result of the action of the waves of the Ķegums HPP, the fire point is located on the edge of a washed-up shore, so it can be dangerous to visit. Nearby is a deep pit (bomb pit?). This is the eighth (from Ķegum HPP, in the direction of Jaunjelgava) of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during World War 1 on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now.

It is located in the forest 0.6 - 0.7 km south of the village of Latgali. The best idea of the territory can be obtained if it is studied in advance on LIDAR maps, because in nature the positions of trenches and other earth surface formations dug by people a century ago can be overlooked by the uninitiated. Judging by the remains of a brick oven and other signs visible in the excavations (done by someone else), German army barracks were located here. Next to the barracks, a narrow-gauge railway was built to supply the Daugava front line along the Great Kurfirsti dam from the modern Lāčplėš station along Birzgali and beyond. 0.5 km east of the barracks was the so-called Kurland Denkmal, but on the left bank of the Daugava in a 1.3 km radius around the barracks there were three reinforced concrete fire points (preserved to this day, but the remains of one are under water and appear only when HES water level has been reduced), but 0.6 km west of them there was a shooting range, of which nothing has been preserved in nature. Pits can be seen in nature around the shooting site - the remains of former buildings and fortifications. About 100-200 m southeast of the site of the former barracks, three to 30 m long, rectangular trenches (and smaller ones) are clearly visible in the nature, which were probably warehouses.

About 22 km long narrow-gauge railway line from the time of the First World War, which started at the present Lāčplēš (Jelgava - Krustpils railway line) railway station (formerly Bahnhoff Kerghof), surrounded Birzgali from the east, crossed the Nega river, then turned to the west, crossing twice modern Abermani road (connects Ķegum with Vecumnieku (P88) road) and then moved along Ķeizardambi (Kaiser – Damm) to the former Kurland Denkmal, where, judging by the visible LIDAR map (divides into three branches?), the terminus station was located. The Kurzeme monument was located 680 m southeast of the village of Latgali. The main purpose of the railway was to provide and support the front of the left bank of the Daugava with the necessary supplies. During the First World War, there were barracks and warehouses of the German army near Ķizerdambje, on the left bank of the Daugava near Puduriem (0.6 km) and Podnieki (0.9 km) there were a total of three concrete fire points of the German army. Today, the location of a railway line can be tracked by LIDAR maps in nature. Certain parts of it are also clearly visible in nature, especially when the vegetation has not matured. The best time to go on an expedition is early spring or winter when there is no snow.

If you go west from the Dzintari – Vecumnieku road (P88) to the Lezmaņi (Lesmaņu, Lessmann) brothers' graves, beyond the stream that you have to cross are very interesting remains of a World War I fortification with a bunker and a fragment of a concrete wall. Judging by the remains of bunkers, positions of trenches and construction pits visible in nature and on LIDAR maps in a wider area - up to the Daugava, a larger military "complex" with buildings, warehouses, protective structures, etc. was located here during the relevant period. About a kilometer north of this place, on the banks of the Daugava, German armies are located concrete fire point.

It is located on the peninsula between Pludinātijai and the village of Latgali. As a result of wave erosion, the object has slid down the bank slope to the current water level of the river. When the water level in the Ķegum HPP reservoir is higher, it is washed by the Daugava waters. When the water level is lower, it is completely dry. This is one of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The fire point can be seen well by taking a boat along the Ķegum HPP. The second option is to go on foot along a small path along the bank of the Daugava, which leads from the well-maintained beach "Spārītes".

It is located on the peninsula at the mouth of Konupīte (currently a flooded extension of the river) in the Daugava, in the territory of the "Puduri" recreation complex. As a result of wave erosion, the fire point has tilted towards the river. To prevent bank erosion, the banks of the reservoir here have been reinforced with a concrete protective wall. The fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The fire point can be seen well by taking a boat along the Ķegum HPP.

It is located in the reservoir of the Ķegum HPP, in a small bay, about 20-30 m from the Daugava bank in front of the houses of the Potters. The outline of the fire point appears only when the water level in the Ķegum HPP reservoir is lowered. The rest of the time they are under water and not visible. This is the third (from Ķegum HPP, in the direction of Jaunjelgava) of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The remains of the fire point can be viewed at a lowered water level, by boat on the Ķegum HES.

It is located about 0.1 km east of the Ķegum HPP reservoir bay near Silapūpēži, in the direction of Jaunjelgava. The fire point has slipped partially into the water, overgrown with trees, bushes and other vegetation, and to the uninitiated, a larger piece from the water side may resemble a larger stone. One of the landmarks is a birch tree growing on it. This is one of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The remains of the fire point can be seen by boat on the Ķegum HPP. About 150 m east of the Daugava bank, the remains of another fire point have slipped into the water.

It is located about 0.25 km east of the Ķegum HPP reservoir bay near Silapūpēži, in the direction of Jaunjelgava, opposite the Sidrabiņi farm. The point of fire has slipped partially into the water and split into several parts, resembling a pile of construction debris. The coast is overgrown. This is one of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The remains of the fire point can be seen by boat on the Ķegum HPP. About 150 m west of the Daugava bank, the remains of another fire point have slipped into the water.

It is located in the Ķegum HPP reservoir at the Nega inlet (in front of the Nega houses), on its left bank. One of the most visually and scenically impressive and also the best-preserved concrete fireplaces, washed by the waves of the Daugava. It can be seen from a larger piece. A footbridge has been built from the shore to the top of the fire point (overgrown with grass). Narrow-gauge railway (?) tracks embedded in the concrete walls of the fire station. You can get inside from the side of the footbridge. This is one of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The remains of the fire point can be seen by boat on the Ķegum HPP.

It is located on the shore of the Ķegum HPP water reservoir about 0.6 km east of the Nega inlet, in front of Jaundauglii. The point of fire has slipped from the shore into the water and broken into several parts. Two larger birches have grown in it, a thicket has grown. One part of it is connected to the shore by a footbridge. This is one of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The remains of the fire point can be seen by boat on the Ķegum HPP.

It is located about 1.2 km east of a small extension of the stream (the stream flows near Lejasgrantiniņi) at the top of the steep bank slope of the Ķegum HPP in front of Andulii. The shore in this place is overgrown with forest and undergrowth, so only a keen observer will notice this fire point from the side of the reservoir. The fire point is well preserved as it has not been damaged by coastal erosion. This is one of the fire points of the defense line of the German army during the First World War on the left bank of the Daugava, which can more or less be traced along the entire length of the left bank of the Daugava. The aforementioned line of defense is a large-scale military system that has not really been evaluated as a whole until now. The fire point can be seen by boat on the Ķegum HPP, as it is located in a private area.

During the First World War, the so-called "Life and Death" front line was located in Daugavpils region for several years, where a complex system of fortifications was built. To this day, innumerable concrete bunkers, cannon and ammunition depots, trenches and cemeteries of soldiers on both sides of the front have been preserved in the forests of Svente and Medumi parishes.

It is located in Inčukalns municipality, on the side of the road near the village of Gauja, near the motorway A2 and A3 junction.

The fortification is a very rare and valuable example of a fortification. The building is designed for one person to observe an important traffic junction. In the NW direction there is a bridge over the Gauja, A - crossing over Inčupīte, SW - road branching and D - one of the main traffic roads - Vidzeme highway. The reinforced concrete fortification was part of the surrounding trenches, the exact time of which is unknown. It was probably built by the German army during World War II. The site needs further research to clarify the information.

At the end of the 19th century, the surroundings of Inčukalns manor became an important traffic hub. During World War I, the place gained the importance of a defense area where possible warfare was planned. Fortifications were built near the traffic roads, Inčukalns railway station and the Gauja river crossing. The place retained its strategic importance in the following wars.

Nowadays you can see the fortification, which is freely available.

Ferroconcrete machine gun bunkers were built in 1941. The word used in Estonian Dott – is an Estonian adaptation of a Soviet Army term ДОТ (долговременная огневая точка), literally translated as a point of constant firing. It is a closed defensive structure made of stone, concrete, armoured tiles etc.

Sarve-Lehtma defence line never saw much military action, as the enemy arrived from an unexpected direction. The defence line had been built on the eastern and northern coasts of Hiiumaa but the German landing arrived on the southern coast in October 1941. Sarve-Lehtma defence line machine gun bunkers are the same type of heavy machine gun positions for 2-3 gunners. Some minor differences occur (number of embrasures, shape and location of anterooms etc.). These structures were completed in haste, using available materials under the conditions of war, hence the quality of construction varies.

Today, the bunkers have hardly any function. In Heltermaa one of the bunkers is used as a cellar, on the Cape of Sääre it is used as a base of an RMK  (State Forest Management Centre) viewing platform. The condition of ferroconcrete is satisfactory, metal shutters and doors of embrasures are missing. Some of the bunkers are situated in the woods so badly overgrown that they are impossible to spot. 

There are nearly 50 machine gun bunkers in Hiiumaa but they form a steady long defence line only here. Most of them are located around coastal batteries. In 1970 the border guards installed three SPS-3 machine gun bunkers made of precast ferroconcrete panels, one of them (from Suursadama Position) has been dispatched to Hiiumaa Military Museum.

First World War Museum is located in Medumi village, Augšdaugava municipality, in the building of former workshops of Medumi elementary school ~600 m from the A13 road.

During the First World War, the territory of present-day Augšdaugava municipality was crossed by the "Life and Death" front line, on both sides of which trenches and bunkers were built. In the forests of Medumi parish, as well as in the forests of Demene and Svente parishes, German army bunkers have been preserved, which, unlike the wooden bunkers built by the Russian army, were built of concrete.

The exposition of the First World War Museum consists of several parts. In the museum, it is possible to get acquainted with the history of Medumi before the war, with the events of the First World War in Latvia and also in Europe, as well as with the everyday life of soldiers during the First World War. An imitation of a Russian bunker has been created in one of the halls, allowing visitors to get to know the life of soldiers in a bunker. In this part of the museum, it is possible to feel the atmosphere of war the most, provided by the sounds of gunshots and explosions and videos with scenes from the movie "Blizzard of Souls" (“Dvēseļu putenis”).