In memory of Pēteris Radziņš, General of the Latvian Army, two-time Knight of the Lāčplēsis War Order

Jānis Radziņš - the older brother of Pēteris Radziņš, the last owner of the native house “Jaunvīndedži” : “As boys we often measured our strength. Peter never gave up and tried to prove to his father that he was as strong as I was. He studied well at school. Already at the Lugažu parish school, his mind did not become a "officer". After graduating from the Valka County School, Peter did not give up his intention and prepared for the tests at the Pskov Military School through self-study. From morning to evening at work, but on Sunday and at noon with books. Workers sometimes grumbled that an educated man was doing simple jobs. My brother used to answer, "I want to earn a living by working, so I work."

Speaking about the younger brother's relationship, Jānis Radziņš says: “My brother died an old man, although there were several advantageous occasions in his life to get married. When I asked my brother about getting married, he always replied, "A soldier has nowhere to put a wife during a war."

"Until recently, before his death, Peter lived with us for two weeks. He would not have returned to the city so soon if he had not learned, in terms of accidental radio reception, that he urgently needed to appear in court as a witness. In the summons, the summons general had misunderstood why the trip was unexpected. This worried him noticeably. He didn't want to part with the farmstead yet. But called by duty, he left his father's house and relatives forever. ”

General Jānis Balodis - a colleague and friend of Pēteris Radziņš : “On the evening of October 26, an energetic and intelligent-looking gentleman in simple, black private clothes arrived at the headquarters. He appeared in front of the headquarters - Colonel Radziņš. I have known Radziņš since ancient times, and it was also a coincidence! It was not the first time we met in the big Russian army - Radziņi, Baloži, Ozoli, who looked for each other by Latvian surname. "Where are you from?" - "I'm from Valka." "But I'm from Trikate." That's how we made friends with the Valencians, who met by chance. "

"General Radziņš is not only entering our history as a warlord - he has no less merit as an army creator and trainer. It should not be forgotten that officers from different armies, with different education and traditions, merged into our national army - they all had to be fused into one coordinated Latvian officer. In this work, Radziņš's outstanding knowledge, which he supplemented with persistent diligence until his last hour, was of particular importance. It will live in our national soldier as long as our nation exists and it is his immortality, which he himself has built and which no one can take for him. ”

Colonel-Lieutenant Alexander Plesner : “He never talked about his adventures and his person in conversations. On the contrary, he only studies and observes others and what is happening. He is at peace with every job he is given, and the commander-in-chief has a long time to persuade him to take on the role of chief of staff. Not because he feels unprepared for them, but he knows that others have worked here for a long time, have become better known and, presumably, have more trust in their subordinates. And indeed, curiously, at first, not without prejudice, subordinates and others watch the new, unfamiliar chief of staff. His appearance, which was even less apollonian at the time than later, his thin, slender, and tightly curled legs, and, for all things, his handwriting, reminiscent of the scribble of a first-timer and at first full of Russian sentences, words and letters - all at the beginning seduces as if a grin. "

"The tiniest drops split even the hardest rock. And how many drops of pettiness, how much evil stupidity has not been squandered against this big, lonely heart, making it smarter, more insensitive. "Horn is a politicizing general. Horn organizes conspiracies, Horn has not committed a coup just because he is short of nausea. Radziņš has no place in the army ", - all this may have seemed funny to others, but for Radziņš himself it was a painful insult. Questioned in his best convictions and in his brightest intentions, no one was seriously defended, he was forced to shut himself deeper and deeper into himself and his loneliness. "

Colonel Teodors Andersons : “Pēteris Radziņš read a lot, not only military, but also philosophical articles. He was also interested in religious issues. It was nice talking to him. We often discussed various issues. He was very sensitive by nature and often took every detail close to his heart, although he never showed it outwardly and seemed indifferent. Therefore, he often experienced disappointments. As a military specialist and connoisseur of army life, he is highly valued. "

"All this time the deceased lived very quietly and led a decent life. In the evenings we often sat together. Rarely went to parties and parties. Not happy to be friends with others, but always loved to be alone. He was an officer who gave his work and knowledge to create our army. In a society where it rarely appeared, it was cheerful, cordial and responsive. Loved to laugh and make fun of. It was helpful to everyone who turned to it. Life often ended in itself, but where it was needed, it was not afraid to express its thoughts openly, although it sometimes caused trouble and attacks. I know it as a great patriot. "

A close comrade in war : “Strikingly closed by nature, came to work forever, he was not looking for society. But in dealing with people, as a true European, he was always kind, smiling, sparkling witty. Against friends more candid, yet reserved, never familiar. No unnecessary words were said at work or in private conversations. If he did not agree, he usually suffered quietly and grinned ironically, or explained his point briefly and unequivocally. His answers always hit the target. Always a well-balanced and controlled person, of a strict nature, he knew how to overcome his irreversibility and did not nerve others. ”

"We have never seen General Radziņš angry and agitated," co-workers say in one voice. Sometimes he pretended to be harsh when the service asked, but never let go of his anger. Never raised a voice that was usually the sharpness of steel. ”