Latvian partisans
Encyclopedia
Latvian partisans were fighters in irregular military
groups participating in the Latvian resistance movement
, including against Nazi Germany
and collaborationism
during
World War II
.
on 18 November 1918, with Latgale
as part of the Latvia
n state, moved both the Military of Latvia as well as local partisans to struggle for the liberation of Latgale, a difficult task, given the territorial interests of both Bolshevik Russia and Poland. On June 10, 1919 the Lithuanian army
reached the territory controlled by Latvian partisans (Green Guard) and supplied them with munitions.
A large number of Latvians resisted the occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany
. Many Latvians were actively involved in the resistance movement against the policies of the German occupation regime. Daugavpils
was the scene of fierce Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Armed combat
, behind the German Front lines was done by left Latvian Riflemen
, people guards and Red Army
soldiers. Activity picked up in 1942, one year after the first winter war, but real work by the partisans in Latvia started only in 1943 after the German Army Group B
stalled at Stalingrad
and Kursk
. The partisan regiment "To padomju Latviju" was organized and started training June 1942 in Leningrad
and from Staraya Russa
, three small Latvian partisan units (about 200 men) headed for Latvia. July 7, the regiment with combat reached Latvian Kārsava
region
, but there the German found and disperse
d them with great losses and only several partisans escaped. Next partisan unit was formed September 1942 by Moscow
from volunteers, from 201st Latvian Riflemen Division and Latvian partisan regiment "To padomju Latviju" combatants. These units commander was Vilis Samsons. This partisan regiment combat began East of Latvian borders and only 1943 winter started to fight in Latvia. March this unit renamed to Latvian Partisan Brigade. Better organized and led the partisan movement in Latvia from January 1943 until October 1944 fought all of Latvia. From January 1943 the Red Partisans
in Latvia were under the leadership of Arturs Sproģis
. Another prominent commander was Vilis Samsons, who later became a historian. His 3,000-man unit is credited with the destruction of nearly 130 German trains. Altogether Latvia had 24 partisan units, as also 33 smaller groups. From March 1944 until July they formed 4 partisan brigades: 1st Brigade with about 3000 men (commander V. Samsons) fought Northern and Northeastern Latvia. 2nd Brigade (about 1500 men, commander P. Ratins) fought Latvian center. 3rd Brigade (about 500 men, commander Otomars Oškalns
) fought Zemgale, and 4th Brigade, also with about 500 men. Leningrad partisan brigade, which consisted only of Russians (commander M. Klementjevs) fought around Lake Lubāns. In 1944 and 1945 in Courland
they formed many small partisan units (2 to 12 men each) but very active. Most noted was "Sarkana bulta". The Latvian Red partisan suffered great losses, and many from smaller groups were completely eliminated
. The Red partisan movement in Latvia ended in October 1944.
until 1947. In some 3,000 raids, the partisans inflicted damage on uniformed military personnel, party cadres (particularly in rural areas), buildings, and ammunition depots. Communist authorities reported 1,562 Soviet personnel killed and 560 wounded during the entire resistance period. In Latvia, preparations for partisan operations were begun during the German occupation, but the leaders of these nationalist units were arrested by Nazi authorities. Longer-lived resistance units began to form during the last months of the war; their ranks were composed of a good number of Latvian Legion soldiers as well as civilians. The Latvian Forest Brothers
were most active in the border regions. Areas where they were most active included Dundaga
, Taurkalne, Lubāna
, Aloja
, and Līvāni
. In the eastern regions, they had ties with the Estonian Forest Brothers; in the western regions, with the Lithuanians. As in Estonia and Lithuania, the partisans were killed off and infiltrated by the MVD and NKVD
over time, and as in Estonia and Lithuania, Western assistance and intelligence was severely compromised by Soviet counter-intelligence
and Latvian double agents such as Augusts Bergmanis and Vidvuds Sveics. Furthermore, the Soviets gradually consolidated their rule in the cities, help from rural civilians was not as forthcoming, and special military and security units were sent to control the partisans. The last groups emerged from the forest and surrendered to the authorities in 1957.
Irregular military
Irregular military refers to any non-standard military. Being defined by exclusion, there is significant variance in what comes under the term. It can refer to the type of military organization, or to the type of tactics used....
groups participating in the Latvian resistance movement
Latvian resistance movement
A large number of Latvians resisted the occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany. The Latvian resistance movement was divided between the pro-independence units under the Latvian Central Council and the pro-Soviet units under the Central Staff of the Partisan Movement in Moscow...
, including against Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
and collaborationism
Collaborationism
Collaborationism is cooperation with enemy forces against one's country. Legally, it may be considered as a form of treason. Collaborationism may be associated with criminal deeds in the service of the occupying power, which may include complicity with the occupying power in murder, persecutions,...
during
Collaboration during World War II
Within nations occupied by the Axis Powers, some citizens, driven by nationalism, ethnic hatred, anti-communism, anti-Semitism or opportunism, knowingly engaged in collaboration with the Axis Powers during World War II...
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Latvian War of Independence
The decisions of the 1917 congresses and the declaration of independenceOn the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia
The Declaration "On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia" was adopted on 4 May 1990, by the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR...
on 18 November 1918, with Latgale
Latgale
Latgale is one of the four historical and cultural regions of Latvia recognised in the Constitution of the Latvian Republic. It is the easternmost region north of the Daugava River...
as part of the Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n state, moved both the Military of Latvia as well as local partisans to struggle for the liberation of Latgale, a difficult task, given the territorial interests of both Bolshevik Russia and Poland. On June 10, 1919 the Lithuanian army
Military of Lithuania
The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of ~14,500 active personnel . Conscription was ended in September 2008.Lithuania's defence system is based on the concept of "total and unconditional defence" mandated by Lithuania's national Security Strategy...
reached the territory controlled by Latvian partisans (Green Guard) and supplied them with munitions.
Anti-Nazi
Occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany was completed on July 10, 1941 by Germany's armed forces. Latvia became a part of Nazi Germany's Reichskommissariat Ostland — the Province General of Latvia...
. Many Latvians were actively involved in the resistance movement against the policies of the German occupation regime. Daugavpils
Daugavpils
Daugavpils is a city in southeastern Latvia, located on the banks of the Daugava River, from which the city gets its name. Daugavpils literally means "Daugava Castle". With a population of over 100,000, it is the second largest city in the country after the capital Riga, which is located some...
was the scene of fierce Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Armed combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
, behind the German Front lines was done by left Latvian Riflemen
Latvian Riflemen
This article is about Latvian military formations in World War I and Russian Civil War. For Red Army military formations in World War II see Latvian Riflemen Soviet Divisions....
, people guards and Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
soldiers. Activity picked up in 1942, one year after the first winter war, but real work by the partisans in Latvia started only in 1943 after the German Army Group B
Army Group B
Army Group B was the name of three different German Army Groups that saw action during World War II.-Battle for France:The first was involved in the Western Campaign in 1940 in Belgium and the Netherlands which was to be aimed to conquer the Maas bridges after the German airborne actions in Rotterdam...
stalled at Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
and Kursk
Battle of Kursk
The Battle of Kursk took place when German and Soviet forces confronted each other on the Eastern Front during World War II in the vicinity of the city of Kursk, in the Soviet Union in July and August 1943. It remains both the largest series of armored clashes, including the Battle of Prokhorovka,...
. The partisan regiment "To padomju Latviju" was organized and started training June 1942 in Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
and from Staraya Russa
Staraya Russa
Staraya Russa is a town in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located south of Veliky Novgorod. It is a wharf on the Polist River in the Lake Ilmen basin. It serves as the administrative center of Starorussky District, although administratively it is not a part of it...
, three small Latvian partisan units (about 200 men) headed for Latvia. July 7, the regiment with combat reached Latvian Kārsava
Karsava
Kārsava is a town in Latvia.-See also:*List of cities in Latvia...
region
Ludza District
Ludza District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east.Districts were eliminated during the administrative-territorial reform in 2009.- Provinces and parishes of Ludza District :*Blonti parish...
, but there the German found and disperse
Disperse
Disperse is a Christian Rock band from Southern Indiana. The band was formerly known, with an adjusted roster, as "Stuff."-Members :...
d them with great losses and only several partisans escaped. Next partisan unit was formed September 1942 by Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
from volunteers, from 201st Latvian Riflemen Division and Latvian partisan regiment "To padomju Latviju" combatants. These units commander was Vilis Samsons. This partisan regiment combat began East of Latvian borders and only 1943 winter started to fight in Latvia. March this unit renamed to Latvian Partisan Brigade. Better organized and led the partisan movement in Latvia from January 1943 until October 1944 fought all of Latvia. From January 1943 the Red Partisans
Soviet partisans
The Soviet partisans were members of a resistance movement which fought a guerrilla war against the Axis occupation of the Soviet Union during World War II....
in Latvia were under the leadership of Arturs Sproģis
Arturs Sproģis
Arturs Sproģis was a Latvian colonel and commander of the Soviet partisans during the occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany in World War II.-Early life and career:...
. Another prominent commander was Vilis Samsons, who later became a historian. His 3,000-man unit is credited with the destruction of nearly 130 German trains. Altogether Latvia had 24 partisan units, as also 33 smaller groups. From March 1944 until July they formed 4 partisan brigades: 1st Brigade with about 3000 men (commander V. Samsons) fought Northern and Northeastern Latvia. 2nd Brigade (about 1500 men, commander P. Ratins) fought Latvian center. 3rd Brigade (about 500 men, commander Otomars Oškalns
Otomars Oškalns
Otomārs Oškalns was a prominent Latvian communist and partisan fighter. He was declared the Hero of the Soviet Union representing the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic. After his death, Riga's second largest train station was named after him...
) fought Zemgale, and 4th Brigade, also with about 500 men. Leningrad partisan brigade, which consisted only of Russians (commander M. Klementjevs) fought around Lake Lubāns. In 1944 and 1945 in Courland
Courland
Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
they formed many small partisan units (2 to 12 men each) but very active. Most noted was "Sarkana bulta". The Latvian Red partisan suffered great losses, and many from smaller groups were completely eliminated
Elimination
- Science and medicine :*Elimination reaction, an organic reaction in which two functional groups split to form an organic product*Elimination, clearance of a drug or other foreign agent from the body...
. The Red partisan movement in Latvia ended in October 1944.
Anti-Soviet
In Latvia the number of active combatants peaked at between 10,000 and 15,000, while the total number of resistance fighters was as high as 40,000. One author gives a figure of up to 12,000 grouped in 700 bands during the 1945 - 1955 decade, but definitive figures are unavailable. Over time, the partisans replaced their German weapons with Russian ones. The Central Command of Latvian resistance organizations maintained an office on Matīsa Street in RigaRiga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
until 1947. In some 3,000 raids, the partisans inflicted damage on uniformed military personnel, party cadres (particularly in rural areas), buildings, and ammunition depots. Communist authorities reported 1,562 Soviet personnel killed and 560 wounded during the entire resistance period. In Latvia, preparations for partisan operations were begun during the German occupation, but the leaders of these nationalist units were arrested by Nazi authorities. Longer-lived resistance units began to form during the last months of the war; their ranks were composed of a good number of Latvian Legion soldiers as well as civilians. The Latvian Forest Brothers
Forest Brothers
The Forest Brothers were Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian partisans who waged a guerrilla war against Soviet rule during the Soviet invasion and occupation of the three Baltic states during, and after, World War II...
were most active in the border regions. Areas where they were most active included Dundaga
Dundaga
Dundaga is a village in Courland, Latvia. From 2009 its an administrative centre of Dundaga municipality.Dundaga is famous for its castle from late 13th century, constructed by Archbishopric of Riga. From the 16th until the 20th century, Dundaga Castle was the centre of the largest private estate...
, Taurkalne, Lubāna
Lubana
Lubāna is a Latvian town situated in the district of Madona by the Aiviekste river. It acquired a town status in 1992, and the current population is 1974...
, Aloja
Aloja, Latvia
Aloja is a town in northern Latvia, close to the border with Estonia. It is within the country's Limbaži District.-See also:List of cities in Latvia...
, and Līvāni
Livani
Līvāni is a town in central Latvia. It is situated at the junction of the Dubna and Daugava rivers, approximately 170 kilometers east of Riga, the capital....
. In the eastern regions, they had ties with the Estonian Forest Brothers; in the western regions, with the Lithuanians. As in Estonia and Lithuania, the partisans were killed off and infiltrated by the MVD and NKVD
NKVD
The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was the public and secret police organization of the Soviet Union that directly executed the rule of power of the Soviets, including political repression, during the era of Joseph Stalin....
over time, and as in Estonia and Lithuania, Western assistance and intelligence was severely compromised by Soviet counter-intelligence
Counter-intelligence
Counterintelligence or counter-intelligence refers to efforts made by intelligence organizations to prevent hostile or enemy intelligence organizations from successfully gathering and collecting intelligence against them. National intelligence programs, and, by extension, the overall defenses of...
and Latvian double agents such as Augusts Bergmanis and Vidvuds Sveics. Furthermore, the Soviets gradually consolidated their rule in the cities, help from rural civilians was not as forthcoming, and special military and security units were sent to control the partisans. The last groups emerged from the forest and surrendered to the authorities in 1957.
See also
- Belarusian partisansBelarusian partisansBelarusian partisans were fighters in irregular military groups participating in the Belarusian resistance movement, including against Nazi Germany and collaborationism during World War II.- World War II :...
- Forest BrothersForest BrothersThe Forest Brothers were Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian partisans who waged a guerrilla war against Soviet rule during the Soviet invasion and occupation of the three Baltic states during, and after, World War II...
(EstonianEstonia in World War IIThe ground for the fate of Estonia in World War II was laid by the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, particularly its Secret Additional Protocol of August 1939....
) - Jewish partisansJewish partisansJewish partisans were fighters in irregular military groups participating in the Jewish resistance movement against Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II....
- Lithuanian partisansLithuanian partisansThe Lithuanian partisans can refer to various irregular military units in different historical periods active in Lithuania against foreign invaders and occupiers:...
- Polish partisans
- Soviet partisansSoviet partisansThe Soviet partisans were members of a resistance movement which fought a guerrilla war against the Axis occupation of the Soviet Union during World War II....
- Latvian resistance movementLatvian resistance movementA large number of Latvians resisted the occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany. The Latvian resistance movement was divided between the pro-independence units under the Latvian Central Council and the pro-Soviet units under the Central Staff of the Partisan Movement in Moscow...
- Military history of Latvia during World War IIMilitary history of Latvia during World War IIMilitary history of Latvia during World War II. Kārlis Ulmanis staged a bloodless coup d'état on May 15, 1934, establishing a nationalist dictatorship that lasted until 1940. Most of the Baltic Germans left Latvia by agreement between Ulmanis' government and Nazi Germany after the conclusion of the...