Salaspils

Latvia, 2 July 1919

The battle of Cesis was a huge victory for the Estonians, but the Iron Division (Freikorps) and Baltic Landeswehr (local German militia) under von der Goltz fell back to a strong position outside Riga, using the water features to good advantage. There were only two portions which were not behind rivers, lakes or canals, one of which was alongside the Daugava River (Duna, Dvina) near Salaspils, which is where this scenario occurs. The Estonians launched a number of attacks on this position and were generally beaten back.

With negotiations for an armistice due to start in Strazdumiuza (Strasdenhof ) the Estonians made one last attempt to breach the Freikorps line, a general attack being launched early on 2 July. This was unsuccessful and a truce was signed the following day.

This scenario is an attack of an unscouted position (and the defence doesn't know what he is facing either) in terrain that tends to obscure the enemy until he is quite close, so requires players with some nerve. (This sort of blind barging about was fairly typical of the war.)

Salaspils Umpire's Notes

Salaspils Freikorps Briefing

Map for the Freikorps

Salaspils Estonian Briefing

Map for the Estonian