The Battle of Schmarden I WW1

After the unsuccessful July attack near Kekava, the leadership of the Russian 12th Army immediately began preparing for a combat operation to invade Kurzeme. The blow would take place in two directions - infantry and cavalry landings would be lifted from 12 transport ships guarded by ships of the Baltic Navy near Roja. Further, these soldiers immediately go to Tukums, at the same time a frontal attack on German defense positions begins near Smārde. Unlike Death Island and its position in the Kekava-Olaine district, near Smārde, both opponents were separated by a wide “neutral zone” - an area several kilometers wide that was not occupied by either side. In order to overcome it and take on the positions of opponents, the Russian command deployed large forces - 37 infantry battalions and 138 cannons, as well as an armored train.

Five of these forces were Latvian Rifle Battalions (2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th Battalion), which for the first time were united in a brigade under the command of Colonel Andrejs Auzāns. During the summer, the Latvian battalions included two additional companies and two teams - a grenadier and a bomber. As a result, the number of battalions increased significantly and they were already approaching the German infantry regiments. Latvian riflemen had gained valuable combat experience in previous battles and had earned the recognition of the command. A total of 32 infantry battalions, five Latvian rifle battalions, 144 cannons and an armored train were assigned to the Smārde attack operation. If the front were to be broken, five cavalry regiments with several armored vehicles would go ahead. Fortified units of the 29th Landeswehr brigade with a strong artillery group were stationed here in the German army. A German seaplane unit was deployed in Lake Engure, and the Gulf of Riga was controlled by the Russian navy. In Kurzeme itself, the long sea coast was protected by small German forces - mainly cavalry and landlord or national guard ornaments.

The first phase of the Smārde operation in the wooded and swampy area began on August 5, when Latvian rifle battalions began reconnaissance in the Smārde pub area. The Latvian battalions gradually began to move in the "neutral" zone between the German and Russian positions, building fortifications and supply routes to prepare the bridgehead for the upcoming main attack. It was very difficult to do that in the swampy area. The largest supply route built by riflemen in hard work was called the "Latvian Road". The Latvian riflemen, together with the Russian parts, occupied most of the neutral zone, overcoming the fierce German resistance until August 30. Consequently, the first stage of the planned operation of the Russian command was over. However, the continuation did not follow - the army leadership decided to cancel both the risky landing operation and the ground strike in the direction of Tukums. In the battles of several weeks in the bogs and forests of Smārde, the losses suffered by Latvian riflemen (about 50 soldiers fell, more than 250 officers, non-commissioned officers and riflemen were knocked out of line, they were sent to hospitals for treatment) proved to be in vain. Aleksandrs Grīns also took part in the battles of Smārde, who from August 20 fought in the 1st company of the 4th Vidzeme Latvian Rifle Regiment.