"The essence of Russian spirit is evident from the actions of defenders of the fortress Osovets. This is the story of the people, who for seven months defended it succesfully from vastly superior German forces. However, Germans finally decided to use gas on the 6th of August 1915 to bring the stout defenders down. Considering the possible effect of such a powerful chemical attack, the Germans believed the garrison to be dead and so launched a full offensive over no man's land. The attack consisted of fourteen batallions of landwehr, which consisted of roughly seven thousand soldiers.As the German infantry approached the outer fortifications of the fortress, they were met with a counterattack by the remaining defenders of the first line - the remnants of the 13th Company of the 226th Infantry "Zemlyanksy" Regiment, just over 60 people in total. The Russian troops were shaking, coughing wildly, the cause - horrific chemical burns to their lungs; their faces - wrapped in bloody rags. Skin was of greenish hue, with cornea darker than usual, as is the case with severe chlorine poisoning. This surprise attack decimated the German troops as they retreated in horror - 7000 men against a hundredth of that number.seven thousand soldiers.

(С) It is created with the help - Helge Hyrräjoki"