Dvina, Battles of the

In World War I, inconclusive series of engagements 1915–16 between German and Russian forces along the River Dvina, a natural barrier in front of the Latvian capital Riga.

The first battle, August–September 1915, swayed back and forth across the river but made little difference to either side's ultimate position. The second battle flared intermittently January–August 1916 as a series of Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg were repulsed by the Russians under General Alexei Kuropatkin. Before either side could gain an advantage, the Galician front flared up and the Dvina front was left relatively quiet.