Battles & Campaigns · 1917
Riga Offensive
Riga, Latvia
What happened
German troops crossed the Daugava River south of Riga and attacked Russian positions along the Jugla River. A Russian corps slowed them down while the Russian army pulled out of the city. German troops marched into Riga on 3 September.
Why it matters
The loss of Riga weakened Russia's Baltic front and brought German forces closer to Petrograd. It was the first large use of new German 'stormtrooper' infantry tactics.
What came next
Germany next landed troops on Baltic islands in Operation Albion, and days later General Kornilov's attempted coup began in Russia.
Did you know?
The same tactics were used again in Germany's spring offensive on the Western Front in 1918.
Timeline
- 1 Sep 1917The German attack begins.
- 3 Sep 1917German troops enter Riga.
- 5 Sep 1917The offensive ends.
- 11 Aug 1920Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty signed in Riga.