The Christmas Battles Museum
The Christmas Battles Museum - the branch of Latvian War Museum is located in former farm „Mangaļi” in Valgunde Municipality, Jelgava District (View a map!). Museum territory includes field fortification system elements used during the Christmas Battle in the 1st World War. Currently reconstructed fragment of German field fortifications includes dugout and part of German first defense line - “German Rampart”. The reconstructed fragment of German army’s first defense line is unique for the Baltic region.
Inside museum visitors can look at exhibition the Christmas Battles of Latvian Riflemen. Exhibition shows approximately 200 photos and battle schemes as well original objects found on battle field. Exhibition includes also maquette, which depicts several square kilometers of the Christmas Battle field and 1st World War field fortifications.
Visit into museum is free of charge.
Excursions and guiding
Guided tour (Duration: approximately an hour and half) includes exhibition inside museum and reconstructed field fortifications outdoors. Price: 6.05 LVL for a group.
Guided tour of the Christmas Battle Field (Duration: approximately 3 hours) includes visiting of three sites: 1. Antiņi Brethren Cemetery and restored field fortifications of Russian army; 2. Ložmetējkalns (Machinegun Hill) with site observation tower; 3. the Christmas Battles Museum. Price: 15.25 LVL for a group.
Booking of guided tours and visiting of branch museum in advance. Phone: 67228147; Cell phone: 28349259 (Head of Branch Museum D.Dedumietis)
How to reach the Christmas Battles Museum, Branch of the Latvian War Museum
The Christmas Battles Museum - the branch of Latvian War Museum is located in former farm „Mangaļi” in Valgunde Municipality, Jelgava District.
You can reach the museum driving Riga – Liepaja road till left-hand turn to Jelgava before Kalnciems Bridge (Landmark – Viada gas station on the right side of road). Drive 2.5 km towards Jelgava until signpost “Ziemasvētku kauju muzejs 6.5”. Drive straight ahead along dirt road approximately 5.5 km until crossroad, where you should turn right following direction of signpost “Mangaļi”. After short kilometer you will reach the museum.
For additional information, please, call D.Dedumietis, Head of the Branch Museum (Phone: 67228147; Cell phone: 28349259)
The Christmas Battles Site
For the Baltic region the unique evidences are preserved about the Christmas Battles and fortifications of 1st World War in the vicinity of Ložmetējkalns, Tīreļpurvs and “Mangaļi”. Brethren cemeteries of soldiers and memorial sites of the Christmas Battles are located nearby Ložmetējkalns. Assembly points of Latvian Riflemen Regiments on the eve of the battle are marked with memorial stones. The site, where the 1st Latvian Riflemen Brigade broke German front line starting the Christmas Battles on January 5th, 1916, is located approximately 700 meters from the “Mangaļi”. The Wooden Sword - memorial sign marks the place. The 27 meters high observation tower provides possibility to view from above the Christmas Battle field around Ložmetējkalns.
The Christmas Battles
The Christmas Battles happened on December 23 – 29, 1916 (Old style) or January 5 – 11, 1917 (New style). Russian army had objective to break some 30 km wide German front line sector from Lielais Tīreļpurvs till Olaine and to develop assault along both banks of Lielupe River towards Jelgava. The main assault force was formed from both Latvian riflemen brigades that were united into Latvian Riflemen Division during the Christmas Battles.
Assault operation began at 5 o’clock in the morning on January 5th, 1917. Regiments of the 1st Latvian Riflemen Brigade broke through first line of German positions nearby “Mangaļi” farm. Advancing Latvian troops didn’t receive additional reserve force and offensive was stopped. During evening of the same day German forces launched several counter-attacks and Latvians were forced to retreat from captured positions. 2nd Latvian Riflemen Brigade moved into rear of German army and held captured position. On January 7th, brigade resumed attack towards Kalnciems and captured the Ložmetējkalns. German forces several days tried to regain lost positions, but without success. On a short while active attacks were suspended by Germans. The Latvian regiments were pulled back by for resting.
When German army received additional forces, it resumed counter-attacks on January 23rd. The second stage of the Christmas Battles or January Battles began. Latvian Riflemen units were sent back to vicinity of Ložmetējkalns. The Latvian units fought at Ložmetējkalns from January 25th until 31st. Just bravery of Latvian soldiers helped to hold positions obtained during the Christmas Battles when German army launched fierce counter-attacks.
The Christmas Battles were the largest military operation at Riga Front performed by Russian army during the 1st World War. Latvian Riflemen regiments lost 9000 soldiers and officers (2000 of them killed) during the Christmas and January Battles. Russian army lost almost 45 000 soldiers.
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