The Attack of the Dead Men is Sabaton’s song about the defence of Osowiec Fortress during World War I. It appears on The Great War, released in 2019.
What happened at Osowiec?
On 6 August 1915, German forces used poison gas against the Russian defenders of the fortress. Sabaton’s historical account describes surviving defenders, badly affected by the gas, launching a counterattack. Their condition gave rise to the episode’s enduring name.
Were the defenders literally dead?
No. The title is a dramatic description of living soldiers who had suffered a gas attack. The story should not be retold as a supernatural event. Separating the memorable name from the people behind it is an important first step towards understanding the episode.
The Radio Tapok collaboration
A version featuring Radio Tapok was released in 2020. It returns to the same historical subject. Compare the official 2019 song page with the official Radio Tapok version for the recordings, lyrics and the band’s explanation.
More World War I songs
Father — Sabaton provides another starting point for questions about chemical warfare. Fields of Verdun moves to the Western Front, while Hellfighters focuses on a particular unit. Explore songs about battles and songs about war to compare the different subjects and perspectives.
