BLITZKRIEG WITHOUT PANZERS
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As the Germans approached Riga in Russia in late August¸ 1917¸ the lines stagnated with the Russian 12th Army. The Dvina River was 300m wide and presented a problem for the Germans. A plan was devised to concentrate breakthrough divisions and Stosstruppen¸ highly trained special forces. As forces gathered for the breakthrough operation¸ Russian units reinforced suspected river crossing sites. To enhance the chance for breakthrough¸ the Germans would use mustard gas and y and diversionary attacks. The Russian 12th Army was confident their line would hold behind the river and in the city of Riga. What happened beginning on Sept. 1 was the start of the destruction of the 12th Army under the massive weight of the attack that was a precursor to the WW2 blitzkrieg!