Riga was one of the major Russian seaports and also an most important industrial centre. When the war broke out, much of the equipment and many workers were evacuated further to the East. But the German armies did not pass the river Dvina until 1917.
Just when the Russian Empire crashed, the revolution started and Russian armies moved back, the Central Powers began to conquer great parts in the East. So also in the military district of Ober-Ost (Upper East) they started an offensive, and on September 3rd, 1917 they conquerred Riga, cheerfully welcomed by the German inhabitants. This brought new hope to the ideas of creating a new, German dominated Baltic province, a new duchy of Courland or a big Baltic state (several possibilities were discussed), so even Kaiser Wilhelm II. visited the city in these days.
To commemorate this victory, a medal was released, and fortunatly some weeks ago I was able to purchase such a medal. I have no idea how many of these medals exist and what possible value they might have. The material is (due to the war) copper and thus quiet cheap. Maybe anyone knows some more details? I'd be happy to learn more from you!
Conquest of Riga 1917
Conquest of Riga 1917
- Attachments
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- The revers shows just the Riga coat of arms.
- Riga1917b.jpg (23.87 KiB) Viewed 2580 times
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- On the avers side you can see the silhoutte of Riga and the inscripture "Am 3.September 1917 ward Riga frei" (On September 3rd, 1917 Riga became free)
- Riga1917a.jpg (18.97 KiB) Viewed 2579 times
Riga today
Sure Ike, you cannot miss these places when you come from the airport or Riga harbour: the street is along the river Dvina and called "11.Novembra krastmala" due to an event during the revolution of 1905. And the building in the last picture is the Black Head's House (Schwarzhäupterhaus, Melnai galvi nams) and was damaged in WWII and later demolished by the Communists. Fortunately during the last 8 years it was totally reconstructed inclusivly the book store on the right and reopend in 2001 in occasion of the 800th anniversary of Riga. Last January I had the possibility to attend a concert there, and it was really a great feeling to see how detailed and with how much love everything was restored and to imagine all the famous people who have been there before (Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Nicolaj II., Kaiser Wilhelm II.).
You can easily find it if you look for St.Peter's church, the highest church tower of Riga or just take a bus to Strelnieku laukums with the monument of the Latvian Red Riflemen (also very interesting...).
You can easily find it if you look for St.Peter's church, the highest church tower of Riga or just take a bus to Strelnieku laukums with the monument of the Latvian Red Riflemen (also very interesting...).
