Ashtray with panther head from German fortification lines
The last fortification lines of the army group "Kurzeme" were located in the vicinity of Krotė and many objects related to the Second World War have been found there.
The last fortification lines of the army group "Kurzeme" were located in the vicinity of Krotė, which were held by the German troops until their surrender on 8 May 1945. Therefore, many objects related to the Second World War have been found at these sites. One outstanding specimen was found in the German army bunkers and trenches near the Vārtāja River, when the owners, while mushrooming in the ground, noticed a glass object resembling a square. It turned out to be an ashtray with an engraving of a panther's head on the bottom.
Today, Krotė houses the private collection of Maris Ūtēna and offers the opportunity to see the German trenches and bunker sites along the Vārtāja River. The trenches may still contain explosive objects
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Related objects
Ezere local history repository “Muitas Nams” (Customs House)
The Ezere Customs House is located in Ezere near the Saldus-Mažeikiai highway at the Latvian-Lithuanian border. The act of surrender of the German Army units ‘Kurzeme’ (Kurland) surrounded in the so-called ‘Courland Pocket’ was signed in this building on 8 May 1945. It is believed that World War II actually ended in Ezere. The customs house has an exhibit covering the events of the end of World War II and exhibits detailing the history of Ezere parish from ancient to modern days. In the morning of 7 May 1945, the commander of the Leningrad Front, Marshal L. Govorov, sent an ultimatum to the command of the army group ‘Kurzeme’ to lay down arms. The act of surrender was signed by the involved parties on May 8 and it detailed the procedure of surrender, weapons collection points, documents and information to be submitted and other practical measures.
Saldus German Soldiers' Cemetery
Saldus German soldier's cemetery is located on the Saldus-Ezere highway. Around 25,000 German soldiers, as well as some Latvian legionnaires, were reburied in the 8-hectare cemetery. Reburial has been taking place since 1997.
From May 1 to October 1, an exposition on the Battle of Kurzeme can be seen in the memorial room. During this period, the memorial room is open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays the cemetery also has a tour guide. The registers of soldiers buried in Saldus German soldiers' graves and fallen soldiers throughout Latvia are also available.
