BATTLE OF PLAKANI BATTLE OF VEISI

Those were first battles won by Latvian Riflemen on
October 29 and November 23, 1915 which helped to stop the
advance of German army for a while. The first company of the
1st Daugavgrīva Riflemen battalion lead by officer Fridrihs
Briedis defeated four times larger German forces.



In the darkest of nights you were born
The urchins of streets and gutters
But nevertheless you are great
'Cause you were the first who went at dawn
To the battle of Plakani, the battle of Veisi
From small and crooked houses
Along the smiling rivers Misa and Iecava
With the only thought in your mind -
To defend the road to Riga

Battle of Plakani, battle of Veisi
The first one, the shining, the lucky.
Hear, the steps of the battle leading
First company and their leader Briedis
Coming from marshlands pound into eternity...

"Hey, guys, where want you to go now
We know those places, you'd better stay -
Ahead there are only swamps and death!"
But you just laughed for a while and said:
"Hey, chicks not men" –
And crept across the swamp that night
Without stopping
'Cause your hate and tenacity turned
The muddy marsh water into a glimmering floor

But now I say wherever I stand
From Iecava, Jugla and Tīrelis I feel
A strange current flowing inside of me
It makes my heart and muscles rising above
And I scream "Remember Misa and Iecava
Remember all eight your own regiments!"

Battle of Plakani, battle of Veisi
It turned the blood of Riflemen into a legend
Battle of Plakani, battle of Veisi
The first one, the shining and lucky!