How Did Russian Soldiers Continue To Fight Following Exposure To Deadly Gas During World War I?

On August 6, 1915, German forces released a mix of chlorine and bromine gas on the Russian garrison at Osowiec Fortress. The few survivors of the 13th Company of the 226th Zemlyansky Regiment — coughing blood and wrapped in bloody rags — fixed bayonets and charged. The Germans, horrified by what looked like dead men attacking, broke and ran. The episode is remembered as the “Attack of the Dead Men.”

World War I stands as a harrowing chapter in human history, marked by its unprecedented brutality and the emergence of new and devastating methods of warfare. Amidst the chaos and carnage of this global conflict, stories of courage and resilience emerged, providing essential glimpses of the indomitable human spirit.

Among these tales, the “Attack of the Dead Men” stands as a poignant testament to the unyielding determination of Russian soldiers who, in the face of certain death and brutal pain, mounted a counterattack against the superior German forces.

Taking place on August 6th, 1915, during the Battle of Osowiec Fortress (in present-day northeastern Poland), this event reminds those who know the story of the insurmountable odds that adversity often drives us to conquer. The defenders belonged to the 226th Zemlyansky Infantry Regiment, and the counterattack itself was led by Sub-Lieutenant Vladimir Karpovich Kotlinsky, who was mortally wounded in the charge.

The Germans had waited roughly ten days for favourable winds before opening their gas batteries, sending a thick cloud of chlorine and bromine rolling over the Russian trenches. The soldiers’ ability to adapt and improvise under these dire circumstances showcased their resourcefulness. Lacking proper gas masks, they employed pieces of clothing soaked in water and even urine to filter out as much of the gas as they could — a desperate stopgap, since chlorine still reacts with the moisture in the lungs to form hydrochloric acid.

The nature of trench warfare, which characterized much of World War I, also contributed to the soldiers’ resilience. Accustomed to fighting from well-fortified trenches, they possessed a level of expertise in utilizing defensive positions to their advantage. The fortifications provided some measure of protection against the gas attack, allowing them to endure its initial onslaught.

Attack Of The Dead Men

The climax of this remarkable tale came in the form of the “Attack of the Dead Men.” Despite their compromised physical state, an estimated 60 to 100 surviving Russians from the forward 13th Company launched a counterattack. Draped in blood-soaked cloths and exhibiting the appearance of doomed spectral figures — an image so unsettling that modern retellings often describe them as “zombies” — these “dead men” fixed bayonets, charged towards the German forces and fired their weapons.

The German forces, caught off guard by the unexpected assault and horrified by the sight of the “dead men,” were driven into a panic. The panic rippled through their ranks, resulting in disarray and chaos. The effectiveness of the counterattack actually halted the German advance, allowing the Russian defenders to regain control of the fortress.

The Aftermath

The aftermath of the “Attack of the Dead Men” had profound implications for the course of the war and the fate of Osowiec Fortress. The attack did not lead to the permanent retention of the fortress by the Russians. The German forces eventually captured Osowiec Fortress, but only after significant struggles and at a considerable cost.

The Russian defenders managed to repel the German forces and maintain control of the fortress for a brief period. However, the broader military campaigns in the region played a significant role in shaping the eventual fate of Osowiec Fortress. The battlefront was characterized by constant movement, as both sides sought to gain tactical advantages and push their opponents back.

In the weeks that followed, the broader Eastern Front began to collapse as part of the Great Retreat. Rather than allow Osowiec to be taken in another assault, the Russian command ordered the garrison to evacuate and demolish what remained of the fortress. By around August 18, 1915 — only twelve days after the Attack of the Dead Men — Russian engineers had blown up the magazines and key defensive works, and the advancing German forces walked into a smouldering ruin rather than a captured stronghold.

Conclusion

The legacy of the “Attack of the Dead Men” endures as a testament to courage, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. This haunting event serves as a stark reminder of the horrors of chemical warfare and the lengths to which loyal soldiers will go to protect their homeland. The sacrifices made by the Russian defenders underline their unshakable commitment to their duty and homeland, inspiring admiration and respect across the generations.

Their actions echo through the corridors of time, urging us to draw strength from their example and to stand firm, even in the face of impossible odds.