General Ludvigs Bolsteins [bolshteins]

By MAhist Juris Ciganovs Deputy Director, Latvian War Museum
Translated by First Lieutenant Karlis Lidaks

Ludvigs Bolsteins was born on 4 February 1888 in Veju [vehyoo], (the Wind) tavern at Jaunjesavas (yaunyesavah] Community. From 1895 he studied in Vinsenka [vynshenchah] Community School, later in Jelgava [yelgavah] Peter's Classical School. In 1912 he graduated from University of St.Petersburg, Physics and Mathematics Faculty's Natural Sciences Department. The same year he enlisted in the 3rd Novorossiysk Dragoon Regiment positioned in Kaunas. After the military service, Bolsteins was demobilized as Warrant Officer and joined the reserves. In August 1914 began World War I. Bolsteins was drafted in the Russian Army and posted for service in Daugavgrivas [dowgovgreewah] Fortress as Staff Adjutant. When the formation of Latvian Riflemen battalions was begun in August 1915, he was one of the first Latvian officers who joined them.

Ludvigs Bolsteins began his service as the Assistant Adjutant, later Adjutant in the 1st Daugavgriva Latvian Riflemen Battalion. In February 1916 he was promoted to Podporuchik, in July to Poruchik (Officers' ranks in the Tsarist Russian Army). With Daugavgriva Battalion, Bolsteins fought in the legendary Christmas Battle. For bravery on the battlefield Staff Captain Bolsteins was decorated with the Order of St.Anna Third and Fourth Class and the Order of St.Stanislas 3rd Class. After the Bolsheviks Coup in October 1917, in order not to get arrested, Bolsteins went to Pskov, then to Vytebsk where he joined a reserve officers' unit. Late that year he was demobilized and went to Moscow where he joined Narodnyj sojuz zascity rodiny i svobody (The National Union for the Defense of Homeland and Freedom), headed by Mr.Boris Savinkov. When the Bolsheviks detected this organization, Bolsteins secretly went to Latvia and in 1918 managed to get back to Berzmuiza [bearzmuizha] Mill, rented by his mother and brother.

In 28 December 1918 Ludvigs Bolsteins volunteered to join the newly formed Republic of Latvia Provisional Government's Armed Forces. Only two days later he was sent to Ventspils [ventspyls] to organize the volunteers. Unfortunately the rapid advance of the Bolsheviks forced him to return to Liepaja [leeapayah]. There he recruited a company of 35 volunteers and in 25 January 1919 joined the 1st Independent Latvian Battalion, commanded by Colonel Oskars Kalpaks. When Janis Balodis [yanys bahlodys] was chosen to substitute Kalpaks who was killed in a skirmish on 6 March 1919, the Provisional Government Minister of Defense (those days the Ministry of Security) appointed Bolsteins as the Chief of Staff of the 1st Latvian Battalion (later Brigade).

In 9 August 1919, Lieutenant Colonel Bolsteins was asked to form the newly created Latvian National Army's 9th Rezekne [rehzekneh] Infantry Regiment. In the regiment he managed to gather the best and the most capable combat officers whom he knew from the past. Due to his firmness, Bolsteins got a nickname A man of iron. In October and November 1919 Colonel Bolstein's regiment participated in battles against German military forces commanded by Colonel Pavel Bermondt-Avalov. In January 1920 Bolstein's regiment participated in operations to liberate the Latgale region of Latvia.

In autumn 1919 Colonel Bolsteins was decorated with the highest Latvian Military Award Order of Lacplesis [lachplehsys], (the Bearslayer) Second and Third Class, for Bravery in Liberating Riga from the Bermondtists (Bermondt troops). He also was among the first Latvian officers to be decorated with the French National Legion of Honor Order, awarded for his meritorious service in the Latvian War of Liberation.

After the Latvian War of Liberation ended, Bolsteins retired from the army. The retired Colonel actively participated in the Latvian Aizsargi [aisarggy] (the Defenders), a paramilitary organization, which was established in March 1919. He organized the Jelgava District aizsargi units. Later he was appointed as the Commander of Dobele Aizsargi Regiment. In 1925 Bolsteins was appointed to the newly created position of the Chief of the Aizsargi Organization, which by then was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior.

In 1928 Bolsteins was appointed as the Chief of the newly militarized Border Guard, organization, also subordinated to the Ministry of Interior. On March 26 1935 the Border Guard Brigade was created and General Bolsteins became its Commander. He remained in this position till the tragic incidents of summer 1940.

On 21 June 1940 the new, illegally appointed Latvian Government shaped according to Moscow's dictates and headed by Augusts Kirhensteins [kirhenshteins], gathered for its first meeting. Its task was to ensure the "legitimate" liquidation of Latvian State. General Bolsteins was one of the few who had no illusions of what was really happening. He understood that this was an occupation. An hour after the Kirhenteins "People's Government" National Commissar for the Interior, Vilis Lacis [lahtses] had overtaken the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, General Bolsteins committed suicide in his office by shooting himself.

Before this fatal step General Bolsteins had written 3 letters, one was to his mother, the other to the tenant of his house and the third to his superiors, explaining the reasons for his action. In the third letter he has written the following: "We, the Latvians have built Latvia, a beautiful house for ourselves. I do not want to participate in the destruction of that for which I have foughtÉ"

The beginning of liberation of Dienvidlatgale (Southern Latgale, a region in the East of Latvia) in January 1920 Daugavpils Operation

By PhDhist Eriks Jekabsons
Translated by First Lieutenant Karlis Lidaks

In late autumn 1919 most of the Latvian territory was liberated from German and Baltic German troops, as well as the joint German Russian Army commanded by Colonel Pavel Bermondt-Avalov.

Only Latgale still remained in the hands of the opposing Red Army. In those days Poland was the only potential ally for Latvia. There were complicated military strategic conditions as both the Lithuanian and the Polish Armies where located close to Latgale region. As to the political situation, Estonia had concluded an Armistice with Soviet Russia on 3 January 1920 and Lithuania had territorial claims over Latgale, etc. Due to political reasons Poland also was searching for a possibility to attract Latvia military and politically to its interests. When the Latvian government could not make an agreement with Lithuania on cooperation, in December 1919 the Latvian government decided to have cooperation with Poland.

In 30 December 1919 in Riga, the Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian Army, Colonel Janis Balodis [yanys bahlodys], the Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief Colonel Peteris Radzins [radzinsh] and the Polish Military representative in Latvia A.Mishkowsky, signed with Poland the General Headquarters Treaty. The Treaty was on the combined forces' attack on Bolsheviks' Armed Forces located throughout Latgale. The beginning of the offensive was planned on 3 January 1920. The aim of the operation was to seize the Kraslava [krahslawah]-river Dubna line and achieve the unification of both armies. The Treaty also prescribed several other tasks, for example, for the operation Latvia had to provide 10,000 bayonets, Poland had to provide 30,000 bayonets to the Polish Army Group Commander General Edward Rydz-Smigly.

A Latvian liaison officer was assigned to the Joint Group Headquarters and Latvia had to provide the Polish troops with food. According to the Treaty, the Poles had to build a railway bridge across the river Daugava, and the bridge including the stage till Daugavpils [dowgovpyls] train station remained in their disposal. The acquired weapons and ammunition had to be given to Latvia, but the railway rolling stock had to be divided equally. The Polish Army had to remain on the right bank of river Daugava till the Latvian Army succeeds in occupying all the front line. Both Parties also agreed to not allow the Lithuanians to move to the right bank of the river Daugava, while the Latvian Army units were securing their objectives.

In 22 December 1919, the Polish Army Group Commander, General Edward Rydz-Smigly gave an order to his subordinate units to prepare for the operation. Accordingly, the Assault Group, the 1st and the 5th Legion Regiment (1st Brigade), six Artillery Batteries and a company of combat engineers had to cross the river Daugava, occupy Daugavpils and advance in the direction of Viski [vishkyi]. The Right Flank Group, namely the 3rd Legion Division 7th, 8th, and 9th Regiment, the 3rd Artillery Brigade and the Cavalry Infantry Squadron, had to advance in Kraslava area. The Turmanta Group consisted of two battalions from 23rd Infantry Regiment, six artillery batteries, a searchlight platoon, the Rear Area institutions and the Armored train Smigly. Their task was to secure the left flank of the Assault Group against the possible Lithuanian Army actions, while taking up positions on the river Daugava left bank.

The Reserve, consisting of the 6th Legion Regiment and three artillery batteries had to be located within the area of Turmanta-Fabianova-Januciems [yahnewtseeams]. The Group also had the 1st Air Squadron dislocated in Svencone [svenchoneh], two bridge, two engineer, and two railway companies, a telegraph (communications) company, a radio station, a transport company, three Field Medical hospitals, a Forward Medical detachment, a train, two transportation units as well as the Forward Ammunition and Food detachments for both two Divisions. The Latvian Army units within the Polish Army Group had the following orders. The 3rd Jelgava [yelgavah] Infantry Regiment commanded by Colonel J.Dombrovskis on the day of attack (so called Day Y), had to cross the river Daugava and to advance with two battalions along the river Dubna till the Bramani [bramanyi] Community, and with a battalion to proceed to Daugavpils City. The 9th Rezekne [rehzekneh] Infantry Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ludvigs Bolsteins [bolshteins] had to secure the bank of river Dubna from Macini [matchiny] till Lozdani [lozdany]. The German Landeswehr (the Home Guard) units commanded by the British Lieutenant Colonel Harold Alexander, had to secure the bank of river Dubna in sector Skilbeni [shchilbehny] - Mutniki [mutnykyi]. The Reserve, commanded by Captain K.Ziverts [zeeverts], had to be positioned in Jekabpils [yehkabpyls]. The two armored trains were ordered to stay in Livani [leevahny] were it was planned to establish the Command Post of the Commander of the Latvian units, Lieutenant Colonel Janis Purins [yahnys purinsh].

To prevent the enlargement of the Daugavpils garrison, the Polish troops at the end of 1919 constantly maneuvered east of the city. At the end of December those maneuvers were intensified to create the impression that an attack is possible in Kraslava [krahslavah] area. The Polish troops were fully prepared for the operation by 31 December (the 1st Legion Division had substituted the 7th Legion Regiment in Lasi [lashy] - Geitviniski [gatevinyshchy] area.

On 27 December, the General Headquarters of the Latvian Army issued an order to the Latgale Division to move to the Latgale front. On 28 December verbal orders were given to the 9th Rezekne Infantry Regiment to move next day from Riga through Krustpils to the deployment area of the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment. On 29 December Lieutenant Colonel Purins, the Acting Commander of the Kurzeme (Courland) Division, which was subordinated to the Polish Military Command, received an order to attack Daugavpils City during of 3 January. On 31 December, the Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian Army, Colonel Balodis issued an Order to begin the Latgale Liberation Operation in cooperation with the Polish Army. The Right Flank Group, namely the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment and the 9th Rezekne Infantry Regiment, both under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Purins, had to cross the river Daugava, attacking from the North East of Daugavpils.

The Poles had to launch a frontal attack on the city. After establishing communication with the Poles, the Group, commanded by the Lieutenant Colonel Purins, was to come under command of General Rydz-Smigly. Lieutenant Colonel A.Veiss, the Chief of Operations of the Latvian Army, General Headquarters, was appointed as the 2nd Chief of Staff of the Joint Polish-Latvian troops. The Latvian Army's Left Flank Group, the Latgale Division, commanded by Colonel Krisjanis Berkis [krishyanys berkjis], which at that time was not fully prepared for attack, had to actively reconnoiter.

The Plan of Assault, which was developed by Colonel Radzins and coordinated with the Poles, anticipated to liberate all of the territory inhabited by Latvians. By assaulting first in the South together with the Polish troops, it was planned to take the Lake Osveja [osveya] - Zilupe [zilloopeh] line. During the night on 30 December 1919, Lieutenant Colonel Veiss came to the Polish Group Headquarters in Svencone [svenchona]. On 31 December General Rydz-Smigly and Lieutenant Colonel Veiss consolidated final aspects of cooperation of both armies.
Subsequently the Latvian Army General Headquarters was informed that the assault would begin on 3 January 1920 at 06:30 hours. On the same day the Polish liaison officers were sent to both the Kurzeme Division and the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment Headquarters. The Soviet Russian 15th Red Army, deployed in Latgale, had 26,000 bayonets and 600 sabers and 180 cannons. Its Commander was the former Tsarist Russia Lieutenant Colonel, Estonian August Kork, the Chief of Staff was Estonian A.Kuks and the Commissar was Latvian K.Ozols. The Latvian Army units opposing Red Army troops consisted of 6,620 infantrymen and 370 cavalrymen with 60 cannons, 243 mechanical weapons and four armored trains. The Latvian Army units in Latgale Front had 640 officers, 14,150 infantrymen, and 470 cavalrymen with 330 machineguns, 79 automatic rifles, 32 cannons and 19 mortars. 7,700 infantrymen with 112 machineguns, 31 cannons and two armored trains opposed the Polish troops in Latgale. Both Polish divisions had a total of 340 officers, 31,260 infantrymen, 250 machineguns and 72 cannons. The 1st Legion Division generally had 650 officers, 18,000 soldiers with 5,000 horses; the 3rd Legion Division generally had 330 officers, 13,000 soldiers with 3,200 horses.

On 1 January 1920, the Latvian Army units, consisting of 1,800 men from the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment were deployed from Kazimirski [kazymyrishchy] to the river Dubna entry into the river Daugava at Dignaja [dygnahyah]. Further to the east up to Atasiena [attasheeanah] train station, 2,100 German Landeswehr guardsmen were deployed. On 1 January, the 9th Rezekne Infantry Regiment with 1,800 men also arrived at the front line.

It replaced the 3rd Regiment in Nicgale [neetsgalleh]-Dunava [doonavah] area, leaving the latter responsible for Kazimiriski-Jadvigova [yadvygohvah] area. Three infantry regiments, the 2nd Cavalry Squadron and the 30th Communist Company, a total of 2,000 men with 24 cannons, not counting the reserves, opposed these units. The Polish Army was responsible for the front line along the river Daugava from Polock to Daugavpils. The Turmanta Group was deployed from Daugavpils - Vilnius railway line to Lasi. The Assault Group Group was positioned from Lasi to Geitviniski. The Right Flank Group 7th Regiment was located from Geitviniski to Kaplava, the 8th Regiment from Kaplava to the river Indrica [indretsah], and the 9th Regiment, from Indrica to river Vyatka entry into the river Daugava. The Reserves, the 6th Legion Regiment on 4 January was located in Turmanta and Januciems. It had 58 officers and 2,612 servicemen. The Lithuanian Army had responsibility for approximately 20 kilometers of the front between the Latvian and the Polish troops along the river Daugava from Kazimiriski to Griva [greevah]. Although during the offensive operations in Dienvidlatgale the Latvians had to provide 10,000 bayonets, the real numbers of the troops commanded by the Lieutenant Colonel Purins, during the early stages of the operation, were only 5,800 soldiers with 240 machineguns, 17 cannons and an armored train.

The weather conditions during the winter of 1920 were favorable for the offensive. The air temperature was minus 25 to 30 degrees Centigrade. The ice layer on the river Daugava was thick enough to allow river crossing even for artillery. Later though, the deep snow turned out to be a serious inconvenience to the movement of troops. When the assault started, the frost at first eased a little, then again intensified. The assault, after the reconnaissance the day before, began on 3 January at 06:30 hours when the Latvian units started crossing the river Daugava. The 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment crossed the river at Glaudani [glowdahny]. Its 2nd Battalion, which was reinforced with the district of Ilukste [illoohksteh] Commandant's Office unit, after having a short battle moved to Daugavpils. Its task was to unite with the Polish troops and not to allow the Lithuanians to cross the river. At Liksna [leeksnah] train station some of the battalion's companies won the fight with the Soviet armored train and managed to capture it together with other trophies and twenty prisoners. The 8th Company boarded the train and forced the captured engine driver and fireman to take the train to Daugavpils. At 14:00 hours the train met with the Polish soldiers approximately three kilometers from the city.

The other companies reached the city Old Suburb at 16:00 hours and soon met the Polish troops in Pogulanka [pogoolyanka].

From 4 January, the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment's 2nd Battalion set up the Daugavpils Latvian Garrison thus representing the Latvian State's military authority. By nightfall the other Latvian Army units had also accomplished their mission. The 9th Regiment had won the battle at Nicgale [neetsgalleh] train station, forcing the armored train to withdraw. Later that day the train was captured by the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment.

Nevertheless, the most important mission of the first day was to capture the City of Daugavpils and its fortress. The fortress was built in 19th century thirties; it had ramparts and four weak forts. The fortress, as well as the city, was defended by the Red Army 4th Division 2nd Brigade, 30th Regiment, 62nd Railway Defense Battalion and the 474th Regiment of the 53rd Division, which had arrived from the Estonian Front on 3 January. The armistice between Estonia and Soviet Russia had been signed on the very date. Several days before the assault, the Polish artillery from the Griva [greevah] had started intense bombardment of the fortress, bridge fortifications, army depots and railway stations thus trying to create the impression that the main assault is planned from Griva to the city center and the fortress.

Soviet artillery responded firing from the area of the lake Stropi [struopy]. The task for the Polish Army Assault Group was to break the Soviet front east of Daugavpils. The group had to get round the city with the Left Column from the East and the North, capturing the fortress and thus developing a defensive posture against the Lithuanians.

The Right Column had to reach the river Dubna at Viski, block the movement of the Soviet Reserves from City of Rezekne, and finally unite with the other Latvian units.
On the morning of 3 January two battalions from the Polish Army 1st Legion Regiment crossed the river Daugava and started to execute the given mission. The battalions made an assault through Vecseta [vetsehtah] and blew up the railway to Bablinova [bahblynovah] (Indra). After the battle in the summer cottage area of Stropi, both battalions broke into the city's new Development district and the Old Suburb, where street fighting and house to house combats erupted. Around 12:00 hours, the enemy was retreating from the Old Suburb to the fortress. When the Polish Army occupied the second Railway Station, the Red Army units were in real danger to get surrounded. They left the fortress and at 13:00 hours the Polish Army entered the fortress. The majority of the Red Army units managed to break out in the direction of lake Stropi and further to Rezekne. Both the 1st Legion Regiment battalions were supported by the 1st Field Artillery Regiment battery, which at 09:00 hours crossed the river Daugava with difficulty bacause of the river's steep and unstable banks.

Already at 11:00 hours, General Rydz-Smigly in Kalkuni [kalkoony] ordered the Armored Train Smigly to get as far as the destroyed bridge and to assess the situation in the city. The commander of the train reported that the enemy was not detected. For that reason an officers' patrol and a cavalry infantry platoon were sent to Daugavpils. At the same time the Polish Army Group General Headquarters Train, Forward Ammunition Detachment, Medical Train, Transportation Unit, Carts and Telegraph (Communications) Company, arrived to Kalkuni [kahlkoony] train station. The Communications Company started establishing communications with units at offensive positions. At 14:00 hours the city's southern part was liberated. At 15:00 hours the whole city was liberated, but only at 18:00 hours communications were established with the 1st and 2nd Battalion from the Polish Army 1st Legion Regiment. At that time the Headquarters had no information on other units of the Assault Group.

In due course, in the morning of 3 January, the 3rd Battalion from the Polish Army 1st Legion Regiment conducted a forced river Daugava crossing under the fire across Vilusi [villooshy]. The mission of the 3rd Battalion was to advance towards Viski. The battalion fought a battle with the Red Army 29th and 30th Regiments, which were retreating from Daugavpils by Lociki [lotsyky] or Laci [lahchy], the Bears. Late at night the battalion reached Jauna Zala Pusca [yaunah zalyah pooshchah] at Rezekne railway.

The Right Flank of the Assault Group, namely the 5th Legion Regiment and a division from the 1st Field Artillery Regiment, were preparing to cross the river Daugava at Rozaliski [rozahlishchy] area. The Daugava river crossing of the 2nd Battalion and the artillery were delayed, which was the reason for the 1st and the 3rd Battalion to advance first towards Viski. The other units followed a little later and on 4 January, caught up with both battalions. With some skirmishes, the Polish Army units managed to reach Mozuli [mozooly], where they had a serious battle in which the 3rd Battalion alone had 80 men killed and wounded. The Polish troops managed to capture this community at 16:45 hours.

On 3 January the 7th Legion Regiment crossed the river Daugava at 15:00 hours. At 18:30 hours it liberated Melnica [melnytsah] train station and Lipiski [lipishky], thus the Right Flank of the Assault Group was secured. Yet only at 21:00 hours it was possible to establish the planned communications with the 5th Legion Regiment. In the following days the Regiment fortified its positions in Panteliski [pantelishky]-Melnica [melnytsah]-Racina [rahcheenah] train station-the river Daugava Front Line.

Additionally on 3 January at 14:00 hours, the Reserves' 6th Legion Regiment was transferred to the Griva area. Due to the lack of information from the 5th Legion Regiment, the Reserves' 6th Legion Regiment's 1st Battalion and the 1st Field Artillery Regiment's 7th Battery, at 23:00 hours were sent from Daugavpils towards Viski. During the night these units had a battle at Malinovka [malynoffkah] and in the morning of 4 January established communications at Mozuli with the 5th Legion Regiment.

The beginning of the operation was successful. The Bolsheviks and the Lithuanians were taken by surprise although the Bolsheviks did have strong suspicions of a possible Polish advance to start on 15 January 1920. According to the Red Army soldiers' evidences, who had been taken prisoners the previous December, the Soviet sources had testified that the Red 15th Army Headquarters were positive on the expected attack. The Order, issued on 2 January to the 477th Border Guards Regiment, mentioned that the Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian advance is expected in the area in which 4th Division was deployed. The Red Army Headquarters were also informed on the arrival of the Latvian Latgale Division to the Front at Pitalova [pytahlovah]. The Polish Colonel A.Borkevics [borkehvich] admits that already in mid December the officers of those Polish Army units, which were planned to be involved in the offensive, knew that orders have been given and that the Maintenance Offices "did not observe the necessary security level". The Leadership of the Latvian Army issued the operation orders later but the Service Corps did not receive the above-mentioned orders before the attack began. This, of course, later created some difficulties with providing supplies. Still, the Red 15th Army, due to the lack of appropriate reserves, could not prepare sufficiently. It was therefore trying to defend its positions in depth, setting up smaller units along the difficult to defend river Daugava. With such Soviets' tactics, the Polish troops proved that they were superior in terms of numbers, finances and psychology.

The Lithuanians received information on what was happening only when battles were already progress in the streets of Daugavpils. Though, according to the subsequent Lithuanian Army General Headquarters report, already during the night from 2 to 3 January before the assault had begun, the Lithuanian recconnaissance men had crossed the river Daugava and, after a short skirmish, had occupied Liksna. However on the 3 January Lithuanians also crossed the river Daugava in force, apparently on the initiative by the local commanders. This also testifies to the confusion caused by the major offensive.

On 6 January, the Lithuanian Army Commander-in-Chief P.Latuks [lyatooks] from Kaunas informed their military representative in Riga that some Lithuanian units "because of the Latvian and Polish offensive" had crossed the river Daugava and at 16:00 hours had occupied a small area from Augsgulani [augshgoolahny] along the railway towards north. At 17:00 hours, the Polish Army 1st Legion Regiment 8th company from the fortress went to provide temporary defense against the Lithuanian troops along the river Daugava. The Polish Army company met the Lithuanian Army company in Pogulanka [pogoolyankah] (Mezciems) [mezhceeams]. On this occasion, it became absolutely necessary for the Poles to force the Lithuanians to withdraw. They managed to do it by persuading the Lithuanian Company Commander that the Polish unit was the advancing battalion's advance guard. The same tactics were used to achieve the Lithuanian Army's White Russian Battalion Company withdraw from the Liksna suburban estates. The Lithuanians themselves the withdrawal as their unwillingness to get involved in a battle with the Polish and Latvian troops.

Untill 21:00 hours the Polish troops had developed a defensive posture along the river Daugava to Augsgulani and established communications with one of the 3rd Jelgava Regiment's companies in Moslovaja [moslovaya]. The Latvian 3rd Jelgava Regiment's 2nd Battalion subunits, which were on their way to Daugavpils, also received information that the Lithuanians were preparing to cross the river Daugava in Liksna area. For that reason, the detachment of the district of Ilukste Commandant's Office remained during the night in Liksna, while the 6th and the 8th Company remained in Pogulanka "to warn the Lithuanians that they have nothing to do in Daugavpils". Only the following day they joined the battalion in Daugavpils.

During the first day of the assault, the Latvian Army's casualties were one killed and 25 wounded. It had captured 121 Red Army soldiers, the Soviet armored train, wagons with explosives and weapons. The Polish Army had greater losses, namely the 1st Legion Regiment had 20 killed, 71 wounded, 14 reported missing. They had captured 525 Red Army soldiers, three cannons, 14 machineguns, as well as other weapons and ammunition, carts and 43 horses. During January 3 and 4, the 5th Legion Regiment had 33 killed, including three officers and 115 wounded. By January4, the 6th Legion Regiment's 1st Battalion had four killed, 26 wounded. The 7th Legion Regiment had three killed.

The Red Army losses are difficult to estimate. The newspaper Jaunakas Zinas [yaunahkahs zeenyas] (The Latest News) correspondent reported that there were insignificant battles in the city center and that only at the city's second (Petrograda) train station approximately fifty Red Army soldiers' corpses were found. On the other hand, the Polish Army 6th Legion Regiment's soldiers had mentioned seeing during the night of 3 January in Daugavpils cemetery area in the northern part of the city "the combat area full with the Bolsheviks' corpses". 437 Red Army soldiers were captured in Daugavpils. The Polish Army Headquarters was estimating enemy's losses in Daugavpils on 3 January at around 800 soldiers killed, wounded or captured. The official Soviet General Headquarters had issued a statement saying that the Red Army had defended Daugavpils with heroism "despite the extremely difficult strategic positions". The Red Army had left in the city weapons, few howitzers, five locomotives, more than 200 wagons and railway workshops, etc. In accordance with the existing agreement, weapons and ammunition were given to the Latvian representatives but the railway rolling stock was divided equally. The Latvians received three functioning and one damaged locomotives and 122 different railway wagons.

In the morning of 4 January, two battalions from the Polish Army 6th Legion Regiment Reserves together with the 1st Field Artillery Regiment's three batteries, arrived to Daugavpils. The 1st Legion Regiment's 1st Battalion with the 1st Field Artillery Regiment's two other batteries in their turn departed for Viski, where they arrived on 5 January. The 1st Legion Regiment's 2nd Battalion also departed to Viski area to come under command of the 1st Brigade. The Polish Army Group Headquarters moved from Kalkuni to Daugavpils on 5 January. In addition to the above-mentioned Polish troops, the City Garrison on that day had also some other Polish Army 1st and 6th Field Artillery Regiment's batteries and technical units. Already on 4 January, the Polish Garrison received orders to organize the defense of the city. Due to cold weather, the engineers' company was not digging foxholes but instead, with the help of prisoners of war and hired civilians, was setting up portable barricades in the snow.

The Latvian Army's 3rd Jelgava Regiment fought its way to, and reached Kalupe [kaloopa] in the evening of 4 January. During the night of 5 January it reached the river Dubna, establishing communications with the 9th Rezekne Regiment on the Left Flank, and the Polish units on the Right Flank. The 9th Rezekne Regiment and the German Landeswehr guardsmen had during that time also successfully reconnoitered but they had two soldiers killed.

On the morning of 4 January at Mozuli, after a successful defense operation during the night, the Polish Army 5th Legion Regiment conducted a counter-attack being fully reinforced by the arrival of the 2nd Battalion. The enemy was supported by the Armored Train Smertj ili pobeda [smertj illy pabeda] (Death or Victory) from the Dubna (Viski) train station. The battle area was lost and regained several times.

When the Poles disassembled the rails, they almost succeeded in capturing the Soviet armored train. It was saved by the arrival of two other Soviet armored trains Lenin and Trocky. The Polish Army units managed to liberate Dubna train station at 15:00 hours but only after the arrival of the reserve battalion from the Polish Army 6th Legion Regiment from Daugavpils. After another hour they established communications with the Latvian Army's 3rd Jelgava Regiment. On 5 January, the commander of the Polish Army's 5th Legion Regiment requested to have his regiment relieved due to heavy losses of manpower and exhaustion.
On that day the 1st Heavy Artillery Regiment's 2nd Battery and the 2nd Cavalry Infantry Squadron arrived and was placed under the command of the 1st Brigade. The remaining heavy artillery units still remained in Kalkuni. The arrangement of the rear area was of a great concern because the local farmers thought that the danger had already gone. Being concerned about the remaining danger, the 1st Brigade Command prohibited civilians "to loiter about" the forward areas. Soldiers were ordered to force the civilians to remain at home and stay out of sight.

Thus on 5 January ended the first stage of the operation. The City of Daugavpils was liberated and further coordination of operations of both armies was achieved when they physically joined to form a single front. Units of the Joint Group were deployed along the front as follows: the Polish Army 7th Legion Regiment was located at the river Daugava (opposite Kaplava) to Bramaniski. The 5th Legion Regiment was positioned from Bramaniski to Viski, the 1st Legion Regiment's 3rd Battalion was located further from Dubna train station. The Latvian Army's 3rd Jelgava Regiment was placed from Bramani to Lozdani, the 9th Rezekne Regiment was deployed from Lozdani to Macina. The German Landeswehr guardsmen were positioned from Macina to Mutniki.