DEATH ISLAND

From the spring till autumn of 1916 the 2nd and
the 3rd battalions of Latvian Riflemen together with
Russian units were defending small fortifications on
the left bank of the Daugava river – there was the enemy
in front, the river in back and the open, rocky field on
both sides. Germans attacked with poison gas and
Riflemen took a heavy toll therefore the place
had been called – Death Island.



Dark flow the river Daugava
Hard, black waves it rolls
Loud roar of guns
From the other bank is brought

There in the fire field of Death Island
Only bullets sing their songs
And shells filled with poison gas
Take away the breath of man

Yet Riflemen don't weep or wail
Under grenade fire they jolly laugh
For they know that their blood
Is spilled for a right thing