Janis Smits
- Birth Date:
- Death date:
- Extra names:
- Jānis Šmits Andreja dēls
- Categories:
- Born in Latvia, Private, WWI participant
- Nationality:
- latvian
- Cemetery:
- Set cemetery
Served in the regiments of the Latvian Riflemen
Served: 1. Daugavgrīvas latviešu strēlnieku bataljons (pulks)
Awarded:
- 23.12.1916, Cross of St. George 4 class, Nr. 743448
Additional information (in Latvian):
ŠMITS Jānis Andreja d. Tīreļpurvā pirms pulka uzbrukuma grieza ejas vācu dzeloņdrātīs
Source: atvaļinātais pulkv. Jānis Hartmanis
No places
No relations set
05.01.1917 | Christmas Battles
The Christmas Battles (Latvian:Ziemassvētku kaujas; German:Aa-Schlachten; Russian:Митавская операция) were offensive operations of the Russian army during World War I in the area of Jelgava, Latvia, by the 12th Army of the Northern Front. They took place from December 23 (January 5) untill December 29 (January 11) 1916 (1917). The Army was commanded by Gen. Radko Dimitriev; it was opposed by the 8th German Army. The battles took place in a swampy region, Tīreļpurvs (Tīrelis swamp), between Lake Babīte and Jelgava. The main assault force was the VI Siberian Rifle Corps which included two Latvian Rifleman brigades. Incompetence of Russian high command leaded to disastrous events in the Army. A month later February revolution begun.