Division
A division (from the Latin division - a "division") is a large military unit with several regiments or brigades and 10,000 to 30,000 soldiers. Several divisions can be combined in a housing. The division of troops into divisions arose as the size of the troops increased. The first divisions were established in France in the 17th century.
The divisions of the Latvian Armed Forces began to be formed after the battles of Cēsis in July 1919, when a unified army was established. The divisions were named after the historical regions of Latvia. In the middle of July, the Latvian separate or Southern Latvian brigade and the Northern Latvian brigade were expanded into the Kurzeme and Vidzeme divisions, leaving their previous commanders, Colonel Jānis Balodas and Colonel Jorģis Zemitāns. A little later, the organization of the third division - Latgale - began, which was commanded by the former commander of the 2nd Cēsis Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Krišjānis Berķis. By order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of July 15, the army units were assigned a uniform structure and staff: three infantry regiments in each division. During the Bermontiad in December 1919, -4. Zemgale division, the leadership of which was entrusted to Colonel Oskars Dankers. Each infantry division also included an artillery regiment.
The Technical Division of the Latvian Army was established in January 1922. It was a collection of various technical parts of the war and was commanded by General Jānis Kurelis throughout the division's existence until 1940.
More information sources
Used sources:
Latvian Armed Forces. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvijas_Bru%C5%86otie_sp%C4%93ki
Juris Ciganovs. Summer of 1919 - establishment of a unified Latvian army. SARGS.LV August 10, 2016. https://www.sargs.lv/lv/latvijas-neatkaribas-kars/2016-08-10/1919-gada-vasara-vienotas-latvijas-armijas-izfejlesztosana
Related objects
Latvian military aviation aerodrome
Located in the territory of Vecgulbene manor - in the historical center.
In the interwar period, the garrison of the Latvian Army was located in Gulbene, where the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment Battalion was stationed. Aerodromes are especially important in places where important railway and road junctions have been established. In 1937, a newly established unit of the Aviation Regiment was stationed in Gulbene, which became the 6th Division of the Latgale Division Scouts, increasing the number of army units near the eastern border of Latvia.
The conservatory building is visible.
Latvian Army Summer Camp in Litene
The Latvian Army Summer Camp in Litene is located in the forest in Litene parish, near the Pededze River. The beginnings of the Litene Camp can be traced back to 1935 when the construction of a summer camp complex for the Latgale division of the Latvian Army was started. From May to autumn, several thousand soldiers learned combat tactics and shooting skills in Litene. In the summer of 1941, Latvian Army officers were arrested by Red Army and NKVD troops at an army summer camp in Litene. Several officers were shot on the spot, while others were deported to Siberia. On 14 June 1941, at least 430 officers were arrested and deported to Siberia in the Litene and Ostrovieši camps about 10 kilometres from Litene. The only historical building that has survived from the camp is a food storage facility. Only the foundations remain from the other buildings. There is a viewing platform with the Latvian flag, benches and a well-maintained place for a fire. A demilitarised cannon was installed with the support of the Ministry of Defence and the National Armed Forces. Information boards are in place. The Wall of Pain memorial in the Litene graveyard is also connected with the events at the Litene camp. The YouTube channel of the Latvian Army features a video named ‘Litene, Katyn of the Latvian Army’.
