Blitzkrieg: The Destruction of the Russian 12th Army at Riga, Sept.1917

As the Germans approached Riga in Russia in late August, 1917, the lines stagnated with the Russian 12th Army. The Dvina River was 300m wide and presented a problem for the Germans. A plan was devised to concentrate breakthrough divisions and Stosstruppen, highly trained special forces. As forces gathered for the breakthrough operation, Russian units reinforced suspected river crossing sites. To enhance the chance for breakthrough, the Germans would use mustard gas and y and diversionary attacks. The Russian 12th Army was confident their line would hold behind the river and in the city of Riga. What happened beginning on Sept. 1 was the start of the destruction of the 12th Army under the massive weight of the attack that was a precursor to the WW2 blitzkrieg! —description from the publisher