During World War I, a fortress called Osowiec was built by the Russian Empire in the late 1800s. This fortress was located in what is now northeastern Poland. Its main purpose was to protect the Russian borders from German attacks. The fortress became a battleground between the German forces and Russian defenders.
The Germans launched their first attack on Osowiec in September 1914. They used massive artillery guns to bombard the fortress for six days. After this intense shelling, the Germans felt confident enough to attack. However, the Russian defenders fought back fiercely with their own artillery and infantry, forcing the Germans to retreat.
In early 1915, the Germans tried again. This time, they brought even bigger cannons, hoping to capture the fortress quickly. They bombarded Osowiec with heavy artillery and even used aerial attacks. The Russian command expected this and ordered the fortress to be held for just 48 hours after evacuation. Surprisingly, despite the severe damage and many casualties, the Russians managed to hold the fortress for several months. Their artillery forced the Germans to pull back their guns.
By July 1915, the Germans, now led by Field Marshal von Hindenburg, planned a new offensive. They decided to use poison gas, knowing that the Russian soldiers did not have gas masks. On August 6th, they launched a gas attack using chlorine and bromine, along with artillery bombardment. A dark green cloud of gas moved toward the Russian positions, causing chaos and devastation.
After the gas cleared, 14 German battalions, about 7,000 troops, advanced to capture the trenches. What they saw shocked them: Russian soldiers, severely affected by the poison gas, launched a counter-attack with bayonets. The sight was so terrifying that the German troops panicked and retreated, trampling over each other in their haste.
The Russian forces fired back at the retreating Germans, causing more casualties. Two weeks later, the remaining Russian defenders evacuated the fortress. This incredible event became known as the “Attack of the Dead Men.”
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Imagine you are a soldier at the Fortress of Osowiec. Create a short skit with your classmates to reenact the events of the “Attack of the Dead Men.” Focus on the emotions and strategies involved in the battle. This will help you understand the bravery and tactics used during World War I.
Create a poster that illustrates the key events of the “Attack of the Dead Men.” Use images, dates, and brief descriptions to highlight the main points. This activity will help you visualize the sequence of events and the significance of the battle.
Write a fictional diary entry from the perspective of a Russian soldier who experienced the gas attack and counter-attack. Describe your feelings, the environment, and the challenges faced. This will give you insight into the personal experiences of soldiers during the war.
Develop a timeline that outlines the major events leading up to, during, and after the “Attack of the Dead Men.” Include dates, key figures, and outcomes. This will help you organize the historical events in a chronological order.
Participate in a class debate about the ethical implications of using poison gas in warfare. Research both sides of the argument and present your findings. This will encourage critical thinking and help you understand the complexities of wartime decisions.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
**Attack of the Dead Men – 1915**
During World War I, the AUSA fortress was constructed in the 19th century by the Russian Empire in what is now northeastern Poland to defend its borders against Germany. The fortress became a heavily contested site between German attackers and Russian defenders.
The Germans launched their first assault on the fortress in September 1914, using large-caliber artillery guns to bombard it for six days. After intense shelling, the Germans confidently attacked the fortress; however, Russian artillery and infantry counter-attacks forced them to withdraw.
A second German attack occurred from February to March 1915. The Germans were optimistic with their new heavy 420-millimeter caliber cannons. The fortress was bombarded intensely, including aerial attacks, which the German command believed would lead to a quick surrender of the Russian defenders. The Russian command, anticipating this, ordered that the fortress be held for just 48 hours after evacuation. Remarkably, despite significant damage and high Russian casualties, the fortress was held for months, and Russian artillery bombardments forced the German guns to pull back.
In early July 1915, German troops, now under the command of Field Marshal von Hindenburg, began a new offensive. This time, they decided to use poison gas, knowing that the Russian defenders lacked gas masks. Thirty heavy artillery guns and thirty gas batteries were brought into range, and with favorable winds, gas was launched at the fortress on August 6th, alongside the artillery bombardment. A dark green smog of chlorine and bromine moved toward the Russian positions, causing significant devastation.
Once the gas cleared, 14 German battalions, numbering around 7,000 troops, moved in to capture the trenches. However, they were met with a shocking sight: the remaining soldiers of the Russian companies, who had been affected by the poison gas, launched a counter-attack. These troops, despite their injuries, attacked the Germans with bayonets. The sight was so terrifying that the German troops went into a panic, retreating back to their positions and trampling over each other.
The Russian forces then returned fire, inflicting casualties on the retreating Germans. Two weeks later, the remaining Russian survivors of the fortress evacuated. This event would later be referred to as the “Attack of the Dead Men.”
A huge thank you to Cache Quiz for sponsoring this Simple History episode. Cache Quiz is a free app that allows you to earn rewards and prizes by answering trivia questions, similar to the popular TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Challenge us in the app; our name is Simple History. With over 40,000 trivia questions across many categories, you can find the app in the link in the description below.
Fortress – A large, strong building or group of buildings that can be defended from attack – The fortress was built to protect the city from invaders during the medieval period.
Osowiec – A historic fortress located in Poland, known for its defense during World War I – The Battle of Osowiec is famous for the resilience of the defenders against overwhelming odds.
Germany – A country in Central Europe, which played a significant role in both World War I and World War II – Germany’s involvement in World War I began with its invasion of Belgium in 1914.
Artillery – Large-caliber guns used in warfare on land – The artillery barrage was so intense that it shook the ground for miles around.
Poison – A substance that is capable of causing illness or death if ingested or absorbed – During World War I, poison gas was used as a weapon to incapacitate enemy troops.
Gas – A state of matter that expands freely to fill any space available, often used in warfare as a chemical weapon – The use of gas in warfare was banned by international treaties after World War I due to its devastating effects.
Attack – An aggressive and violent action against a person or place – The surprise attack on the fortress caught the defenders off guard.
Russian – Relating to Russia, its people, or its language – The Russian soldiers were known for their bravery during the defense of Osowiec Fortress.
Soldiers – Members of an army, especially those who are not officers – The soldiers stood ready to defend their country against any threat.
Casualties – People who are killed or injured in a war or accident – The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, highlighting the brutal nature of the conflict.
