It was one of the strongest support points of the German Kaiser’s Army, where the units of the 77th Infantry Reserve Division were located. This division was headquartered at the former Laukesas Manor on Lakesas Lake. The Germans had dug an underground cave from the rectory of the village of Smeline to their forward positions. Balks from the destroyed Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross in Smeline were used for the construction of the cave and bunkers. GPS: 55.744317, 26.304773

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During the First World War, many soldiers of the German and Russian army died in the entire Zarasai District and Turmantas neighbourhood. A cemetery for fallen soldiers of the 88th Infantry Division of the German Imperial Army was established here, in the former village of Bartkiske. A surviving pink granite monument was dedicated to the division commander, Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Menges, and to the fallen soldiers of this division. The cemeteries were destroyed during the Soviet era. GPS: 55.690221, 26.450553

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Turmantas Railway Station became an important object in 1916. As the German army established defensive lines at the front, it was very important to have an efficient logistics network. The old town of Turmantas built in the time of the tsar, the former dormitories of railway workers and the railway station can be seen. GPS: 55.699194, 26.465501

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The construction of an active importance with four machine gun firing ports. The German inscription has survived. It is believed to be the remains of the “Memelburg” inscription. Some of the openings are bricked up. The structure is designed to protect the railway territory and warehouses from enemies or saboteurs. GPS: 55.695833, 26.463988

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The First World War exposition in Turmantas is a part of the international cross-border route “Along the Footsteps of the First World War”. Unique artefacts, replicas, photographs from the First World War can be seen in the exposition. Information about the route is provided here, the virtual reality experience and guide services are offered. Tilžes iela 21, Turmanta, Zarasų rajons. GPS: 55.691923, 26.467024

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On the southern edge of the town of Turmantas, on the way to the village of Tilze, there are two huge, hill-like buildings. These are World War I gunpowder and ammunition depots. Ammunition and other supplies brought by train were stored in a warehouse and distributed to the soldiers. GPS: 55.687587, 26.467224

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Blindage – a battlefield hiding place made to protect against heavy fire strikes. All hideouts were built according to a typical scheme, only the sizes of the fortification structures differed. There were two entrances on the sides of the facade wall, between which was a small row of windows. Many blindages located in the village of Tilze are included in the register of cultural heritage. Information boards are placed nearby. GPS: 55.660275,26.566061; 55.666925,26.563367; 55.66446, 26.56501; 55.66579, 26.56645; 55.66692, 26.56336; 55.65956, 26.55388

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An observation post covering the approach to the artillery positions. Despite its small dimensions, it is equipped with an opening for a periscope and three firing openings for machine guns. There was continuous telephone communication at the observation post by means of which the fire from the adjacent artillery batteries was regulated. GPS: 55.649135, 26.542932

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The positions at this location are fortified batteries that have survived along with a complex of auxiliary buildings. Such a battery had two covered fortifications (casemates) for weapons and safe rooms for soldiers and ammunition. Reinforced batteries made it possible to protect the weapons not only from enemy fire, but also made them invisible to aerial reconnaissance. GPS: 55.649012, 26.538124

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Artillery batteries were usually located behind the front line of defence. This site was located approximately 6 km from the front line and consisted of 4 pairs of bunkers located 30 meters apart. A gun position was located between the adjacent bunkers. The ammunition was placed in the rooms on both sides of the cannon and were stored separately for each gun group to prevent the possibility of detonation. GPS: 55.723279, 26.427541

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It was placed on the second line of defence, which was also called the inner line. It was set up as a backup in case the first one bunker broke through. Well-armed observation post, machine-gun nest, slightly out of line of trenches. An embrasure directed towards the enemy. GPS: 55.761024, 26.359518

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The place where the 175th Landwehr Infantry Brigade was stationed more than a hundred years ago. Together with several regiments, it formed a military town called “Berlin”, with its fortifications, a military hospital, residential buildings and a cemetery, which has survived to this day. There is a memorial stone with the inscription in German “For the fallen members of the 175th Landwehr Infantry Brigade”. GPS: 55.656500, 26.534080

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The bunker was located on the second defence line, 5-10 kilometres from the front line. This bunker was a place where officers lived and the headquarters of the 257th Reserve Infantry Regiment. In order to feel better in the landscape of war, the Germans spared no time in building underground towns that would at least somewhat resemble homes. Hideouts and other building complexes were built on the hill, the stove provided heat to this structure and reduced humidity. Two metal hooks (holders for insulators) can be seen next to the building’s porch, which means that the building was provided with electricity. GPS: 55.746247, 26.310622

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Artillery positions were located on the hill, near the buildings of the homestead. It was made of three concrete structures and rooms for ammunition. Howitzers or field and fortress guns could stand in such fortified points. The size of the embrasure was larger for howitzers. Colonel Racenstein, a resident of Smeline, was the chief of the 77th Reserve Artillery Division. He commanded two reserve artillery regiments, each regiment had six artillery batteries of four guns, a total of 48 field guns and 12 heavy field howitzers. GPS: 55.723004, 26.442838

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The hideout, which was behind a hill, in a forest ditch, in the immediate vicinity of the first defence line, where soldiers could warm up, dry off, eat or take a nap. There were not only trenches and trenches for shooters in the first defensive positions, but also auxiliary buildings that provided temporary rest, shelter from bad weather and the hideout from explosions of shrapnel and shrapnel shells. There were sheds for telephone operators, dressing rooms, command posts and observation posts for officers. The dugouts had electric lighting, sleeping places, a floor covering, and plastered walls. Telephone lines ran from underground command posts to artillery batteries. GPS: 55.766045, 26.355847

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The “Life and Death” front line was set on the territory of Medumi for several years during the First World War. A complex system of fortifications with ditches, trenches and bunkers was built on both sides of it. Museum in Medumi is a great place to look at the historical artifacts found in the surrounding forests. Besides, visitors сan imagine themselves in the role of a soldier by entering the bunker or passing through the trenches that are created in the museum premises. Alejas iela 20, Medumi, Medumu pagasts, Augšdaugavas novads, GPS: 55.783730, 26.351379

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The private collection is placed in a small building specially built for the museum and its visitors can look at historical evidence of Medumi and the surrounding area. The family of Stikani is engaged in collecting historical artefacts of the World War I and World War II.  Jaunatnes iela 4, Medumi, Augšdaugavas novads, +371 25960552, GPS: 55.784962, 26.361653

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