Landeswehr. Baltic Landesver I Wars of Independence

Landesvēra karavīri Cēsu kaujās 1919. g. jūnijā. Preses foto no Cēsu Vēstures un mākslas muzeja.

Landeswehr. Baltic Landeswehr (German: Baltische Landeswehr, Russian: Балтийский ландесвер, English: Baltic Land Defense, Baltic Territorial Army, Baltic Home Guard)

The Baltic Landesver was a self-defense structure of the population of the German-occupied Baltic provinces, the preparations for which began in early autumn 1918, but in the second half of November it was included in the Latvian National Guard. "Baltic Landscape".

The multi-ethnic (German-Baltic, Latvian, Russian) "Latvian National Guard", with German military support, became the Latvian Armed Forces. Administratively, it was subordinated to the Minister of Defense of Latvia Jānis Zālītis, but in terms of supply and military - to the command of the German occupation forces. The agreement between the Latvian government and the German representative Augusta Vinnig provided for the formation of the National Guard on a voluntary basis from 18 Latvian, 7 German and one Russian company, the commander of the National Guard had to be a representative of a neutral country (Sweden), but this did not happen. Already at the end of November, Vinnigs had formed an Iron Brigade (later the Iron Division) from the soldiers of the outgoing German army, whose soldiers had the opportunity to receive Latvian citizenship and land after the December agreement.

The Germans and the Baltic Germans continued to call the army the Baltic Landesver rather than the Latvian National Guard. Latvian ornaments, which began to form within the Landesver, formed their names according to the name of the place of formation (Riga, Cesis, Jelgava, Latgale) or composition (Officer, Student). Lieutenant Colonel Oskars Kalpaks was appointed commander of the Latvian units.

At the beginning of February, General Riediger von der Golz arrived in Liepaja. He was appointed commander of the German Armed Forces (which included the Baltic Landesver and the Iron Division) in Kurzeme and Northern Lithuania, as well as the governor of Liepaja. On April 16, 1919, the troops subordinated to Golca carried out a coup against the Provisional Government of Latvia in Liepaja.

The Germans, who had united in the Baltic Landesver, both at the various stages of the War of Independence, supported the Provisional Government formed by the Latvian People's Council with Karl Ulman and fought against the illegal government of Andris Niedra. If initially both German and Latvian units had a common goal - to liberate Latvia from the Bolsheviks, then after the liberation of Riga in May 1919, the Landeswehr and German Iron Division's warfare was directed not against the Bolsheviks, but against the legitimate Latvian troops and the Estonian army. . After the battles of Cēsis, in which the Landesver and the Iron Division were defeated, the Landesweeper units loyal to the Latvian state continued to fight the Bolsheviks. On March 30, 1920, the Landesver was transformed into the 13th Tukums Infantry Regiment and included in the Kurzeme Division. On April 1, 1922, the regiment was liquidated by adding soldiers to the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment.

The best-known commanders of the Landeswehr were Alfred Fletcher (February 1, 1919, July 12, 1919) and Harold Alexander (July 12, 1919, February 18, 1920).

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More information sources

Eric Jacobson. Latvian War of Independence. The struggle of the Provisional Government of Latvia and its armed forces to ensure the independence of Latvia on November 18, 1918 - August 11, 1920. - National Encyclopedia: https://enciklopedija.lv/skirklis/22216-Latvijas-Neatkar%C4%ABbas-kar%C5%A1

The Struggle for Freedom: The War of Independence of Latvia (1918–1920) in the documents of the State Historical Archive of Latvia, Part 1, November 18, 1919–1919. April 16, 2006 Ē. Jēkabsons and J. Šiliņš, Riga, National Archives of Latvia, 2019.

The Struggle for Freedom: The War of Independence of Latvia (1918–1920) in the Documents of the State Historical Archive of Latvia ”Part 2. April 16-10, 1919 July, comp. Ē. Jēkabsons and J. Šiliņš, Riga, National Archives of Latvia, 2019.

Latvian freedom struggles (see literature and external links). Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvijas_br%C4%ABv%C4%ABbas_c%C4%AB%C5%86as

Related objects

The monument commemorates the Carnikavans shot in 1919 by Landeswehr

It is located in the SW corner of Carnikava Park at the intersection of Jūras Street and Nākotnes Street between two oak trees.

A granite monument to 12 Carnicavians who were killed by German Landeswehr units in the spring of 1919 for allegedly visiting the "red group".

Lielstraupe Castle

The Lielstraupe Castle is located in the centre of the town of Straupe. The castle is open to visitors and offers a journey through the centuries along with an orienteering exercise in the labyrinths of the castle. During the Battles of Cēsis, the Lielstraupe Castle housed the command post of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist’s Battle Group of the Iron Division (German: Eiserne Division). During the battles, the castle was visited by Major Josef Bischoff, Captain Heinz Guderian and others. The castle was used for the coordination of an attack in the direction of Stalbe on 21-22 June. The Iron Division was a military force of German mercenaries during the Latvian War of Independence, which was formed from soldiers of the 8th Army of the demobilised German Empire and volunteer mercenaries. It was the best-known part of the German Free Corps and among the best trained and most combat-ready military forces in the Baltics in 1919. During the Soviet period, from 1949 to 1959, the administration of the Lielstraupe Machine-tractor Station operated out of Manor Castle. During this time, the castle was also equipped with training rooms and dormitories for tractor drivers, while the former stable of the manor housed workshops. From 1963 to 2018, the castle was managed by medical institutions, and it was said of the Straupe Narcological Hospital in Latvia that it ‘even treats the walls’.

The Christmas Battle museum and outdoor exhibition

The Christmas Battle Memorial Park and Museum is located in Jelgava municipality, Valgunde parish, in the Mangaļi homestead. This museum is a branch of the Latvian War Museum. It was opened in 2005 and is located in the area where Christmas Battles took place. Unique World War I fortifications still remain in locations where battles took place. The indoor exhibit contains objects found in the battlefield. The open-air exposition has reconstructed fortifications. There are tourist routes and informative trails in the vicinity of the museum. The open-air exposition of World War I fortifications and indoor exhibits are available to visitors every day. Unique evidence of World War I fortifications can still be found in the vicinity of Ložmetējkalns. There is a 27 m tall observation tower that provides a panoramic view of the area where the Christmas Battle took place. The Christmas Battle is probably the best known and most dramatic event of World War I in Latvia. It has a special place in Latvia’s military and cultural history. This engagement is mainly associated with the attack of Latvian Riflemen on the German Army units in extremely harsh and unfavourable conditions. And it was also a unique situation where a large-scale combat operation was started without artillery support.

Monument to the first battle for Latvia's independence

Atroadas, Inčukalns, Atmodas Street 2.

On July 3, 2016, a monument to the first battle for Latvia's independence, dedicated to the Latvian National Guard (Die Lettländische Landeswehr), was unveiled. sides. Eižens Upmanis, the chairman of the Brothers' Cemetery Committee, concluded at the time that this could be the historically first monument to the combined Latvian and Baltic forces in the battle memorials outside the cemetery. At that time, Lieutenant Colonel Oskars Kalpaks was appointed commander of the Latvian units of the Latvian National Guard or Landesver, from whose units the later Latvian army grew and formed during the Freedom Fights.

In 1918, the entire territory of present-day Latvia had fallen into the hands of the German Empire and its troops. However, at the end of the summer and autumn of 1918, the situation began to end badly for Germany, and it was clear that it was only a matter of time before Germany would be forced to concede defeat in World War I. The Russian Empire, which included Latvia before World War I, had ceased to exist earlier, with the revolutions of February and October 1917. On November 18, 1918, the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed. After the ceasefire with the Entente on November 11, 1918, the German army, which was on the territory of Latvia, was no longer motivated for further warfare, and most of its soldiers simply wanted to return home.

Under such circumstances, it was clear that Latvia's defense depended primarily on the national guard formed by the people of Latvia. Initially, due to their education and relatively greater ability to self-organize, the greatest initiative in creating such a national guard was shown by the Baltic Germans living in Latvia. Russian soldiers also joined the National Guard. In order to ensure the supply of the National Guard with uniforms, weapons and other necessary resources, on December 7, 1918, the Provisional Government of Latvia entered into an agreement with the German representative August Vinnig, providing for the provision of the National Guard from the German army reserves in Latvia. This agreement stated, among other things, that the National Guard, officially known as the Latvian National Guard or in German, the die Lettländische Landeswehr, would be the armed forces of the Republic of Latvia.

Two soldiers of the Latvian Red Rifle Regiment (ie approximately 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers) who had previously experienced in World War I and the Russian Civil War faced the Latvian National Guard. Despite the experience and numerical superiority of the Red Army, the Latvian National Guard held Inčukalns for two days in fierce fighting, until finally, in the evening of January 1, 1919, to avoid siege, was forced to retire, losing 43 dead and several wounded, most of whom was taken captive by the Bolsheviks, where they were killed or died of starvation or disease.

Author: Artis Buks. Material: Boulder. The monument is made of large monolithic stone, which was found in Rolls near Jelgava.

The birthplace of Colonel Oskars Kalpaks “Liepsalas” and the final resting place in Visagals cemetery

The Colonel Oskars Kalpaks family memorial in Liepsalas is located in the area between Madona and Lake Lubāns. Liepsalas is Kalpaks’ childhood home. The memorial site was established here in 1997 based on the ideas and using the resources of the colonel’s niece, Ārija Kalpaks-Grundmane (1922-2006). The site consists of various environmental objects and stone sculptures with a symbolic meaning, signifying Latvian ethical and patriotic values. The largest building houses an exhibit dedicated to the history of the Latvian War of Independence and the 22 years of Latvian freedom (1918-1940). Located in the Visagals graveyard, the monument to Oskars Kalpaks, created by Kārlis Zāle and Arnolds Dzirkals, was unveiled in 1927. The monument consists of a composition of three figures, in the centre of which is an ancient Latvian warrior holding a shield and a sword, with a falling soldier on each side. Placed obliquely on a granite base, a bronze plaque at the foot of the sculptural group contains engraved text, including a poem, dedicated to Kalpaks, by Edvards Virza. Oskars Kalpaks died on 6 March 1919 near Airītes, by the road from Skrunda to Saldus.

Railway bridge over Amata

Located in Drabešu parish, Cēsis region, near the recreation place "Meža kaujas".

There is a railway bridge over Amata.

The railway bridge over Amata played a very important role throughout the War of Independence, because on June 5, 1919, the first battle of the Estonian army's armed trains with the Baltic Landesver units took place here. Landeswehr, knowing that an armed train was approaching, nominated a railway bridge and took a position at the Amatas home on the river bank, ready for possible warfare. The bridge over Amata was the border between Estonian forces and the Germans.
Historical evidence of the events at the Amata Bridge has not been preserved. As Latvians did not take part in these events, there are no narratives of their memories, there are memories from Estonian soldiers and other sources. It can be said that this was an Estonian-American joint battle against the Landeswehr, because there was an American officer on the Estonian armored train, who later fought in World War II as well. In general, many future World War II officers and commanders took part in the battles of Cēsis, especially on the German side.

The Estonian armed train arrived in Cēsis on June 2, 1919, a day later went to Ieriķi, where talks took place with the landlord, which was unsuccessful, and on June 5, when the armed train approached the Amata bridge again, a collision with the Germans began. A day later, the armed train also took part in the battles near Cēsis, where it helped the soldiers of the Pupils' Company who were threatened with siege. Although the Germans tried to dismantle the rails to cut off the train's retreat, it managed to retreat across the Rauna bridge.

On the night of June 23, 1919, during the battles of Cēsis, the landesver left Cēsis and retreated to the Amata river line. When they retreated, the Germans burned down the house of the Cēsis Latvian Society and blew up a bridge over Amata.

Monument to the first fallen soldier of the Schoolmen's Company, Edgars Krieviņas

Located in the Central Cemetery of Valmiera, near the chapel (Miera Street 1/3, Valmiera)

A soldier of the 8th (Skolnieki) company of the Cēsi regiment, LKOK Edgars Krieviņš (1899-1919), died on June 7 from injuries sustained in the battles of Cēsi on June 6, 1919, when he covered the retreat of the rest of the units when the Landsweer attacked.

Latvian War Museum

The Latvian War Museum is located in the Old Town not far from the Freedom Monument in a historic defence building called the ‘Powder Tower’. There are 11 exhibits in the museum. There are various weapons, documents, uniforms, awards, badges and other items detailing the everyday life of a soldier in war. The Latvian War Museum is one of the oldest museums in Latvia. Its origins can be found in World War I. Museum’s collection was made up mainly of personal items of soldiers or items found on battlefields. After Latvia gained its independence the main goal of the museum became to create an exposition on the military history of Latvia and the active role of the population in protecting their land. In 1937 the museum was expanded and was technically one of the most modern museums in Europe at that time. The Powder Tower was one of the fortification towers of Riga. Some evidence dates back to 1330 where it has been mentioned as the ‘Sand Tower’. The tower was destroyed in 1621 when Riga was besieged by the Swedish Army. But in 1650 a new tower for storing gunpowder and weapons was built. After the city’s fortifications were taken down, the Powder Tower remains as one of the most important pieces of evidence of the Riga defence system.

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The beginning, course and end of the battles of Cēsis

The victory in the battles of Cēsis was destined to become a turning point in the struggle of Latvians and Estonians for the independence of their country. This victory crossed the line between Andriev Niedra's government and German General Riediger von der Goltz's plans to conquer the Baltics. Instead, the Provisional Government of Kārlis Ulmanis resumed its activities in Liepāja.

 
About the National Patriot Chief Lieutenant Vili Gelbi

The fate of Senior Lieutenant Viļa Gelbe (1890-1919) reflects the difficult situation in the formation of our country and army, as well as in the evaluation of these events.
With the proclamation of the Latvian state on November 18, 1918, the War of Independence and the work of forming the armed forces also began. Vilis Gelbe, a naval lieutenant born in Kurzeme, was in the front ranks of Latvian volunteers.

Aizporu half manor in the War of Independence

Aizporu Half Manor, Aizpute district, Kalvene municipality, is the westernmost place in Latvia to which Colonel Oskars Kalpaks' separate battalion retreated.

Halfway between Rudbārži and Kalvenė, on the side of the road, is the Aizpore cemetery. There is a monument and 12 memorials to the volunteer soldiers of Oskars Kalpaka's battalion.