Īle Partisan Group III National partizans
Formed in 1946 when the Kabile partisan group was divided, the Īle Partisan Group was led by Commander Visvaldis Brizga nicknamed Kārlis Krauja.
The group initially operated in Lithuania, but returned to the Zemgale region of Latvia in 1947. The group had 27 members in 1948. In the winter of 1948/1949, they built a bunker near the Īle forestry, 300 metres north of the Priedīši estate.
In terms of its size, this is the largest known closed national partisan bunker in Latvia. On 17 March 1949, 24 men, including 15 Latvians and 9 Lithuanians, fought in a battle against troops of the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD) USSR.
The commander of the group did not take part in the battle. He was killed on 24 February 1950, during a battle in Saldus, at 33/35 Striķu Street.
More information sources
TE: Ile Guerrilla Bunker - YouTube> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuKkLYD3bhY
Story from Īle National Partisan Bunker - YouTube> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ACJcoyCJyM
Reconstruction of the battle for the attack on Īle's national partisan bunker 62 years ago - YouTube
Related objects
Museum of the National Resistance Movement in Renda
The museum is located a few kilometres from the centre of Renda parish. The exhibit tells about the 50-year-long resistance movement in Latvia: resistance to the first Soviet occupation, resistance to the Nazi German occupation, and the armed and non-violent resistance to the Soviet occupation. The exhibit is located in two buildings. The first building houses evidence of the first Soviet occupation and German occupation. The exhibit showcases a restored barn building where the focus lies on the National Partisan War. Between the two buildings there is a bunker with an authentic layout and trenches used by soldiers. Located near the museum in Renda, excavations, blindages and an obstacle course serve as a training ground for youth guards and anyone interested. Visits must be booked in advance.
One of the largest battles of the national partisans, called the Āpūznieki Battle, took place in January 1946 not far from here. The battle saw the Kabile National Partisan Group overpower much larger forces of the occupying power. Featuring information stands, the battle site is now home to a rest area.
National Partisans Memorial Site on Striķu Street, Saldus
The memorial is located at the intersection of Striķu and Lauku Street.
The tragically bloody event that took place at this place took place during peacetime on 24 February 1950 in Saldus, on Striķu (then 5. augusta) Street, near the 33rd and 35th houses. In the 33rd house of this street, after the destruction of the Zemgale group of forest brigades with its headquarters bunker in the forests of Īle in March 1949, three forest brigades were still alive and uncaptured, including the group commander himself, Kārlis Krauja (real name Visvaldis Brizga), and his associate Vilis Krusts. They had hoped to spend the winter of 1950 at the Bergmanis' home in Saldus, but they were rounded up and tracked down. The two houses were besieged by about 30 Chekists and a fierce battle took place early in the morning. The Chekists were fired on from both houses, but, losing to overwhelming odds, the two partisans tried to escape to the nearby Veide forest. However, the Chekists shot partisan Krusta already on the stairs of the house, and Krauja - about 80 metres further towards the forest.
Both houses were set on fire, the occupants having been asked to come out beforehand and promised that their lives would be spared. There are reports that people did come out, but they were shot on the spot anyway. Among the people shot or suffocating in the smoke were the father and son Kursinski from House 35, who had supported the partisans, but also Leontine Ezerkalni, a resident of the Kursinski house, who had no knowledge of her landlord's connections with the forest brigades, was shot.
Īle National Partisans’ Bunker
The bunker is located in Zebrene municipality, less than 1km from the P104 Biksti - Auce road.
The largest bunker in the Baltic States was built in 1948 in the forests of Īle by the partisans of the united Latvian-Lithuanian group to continue their fight against the Soviets. The 27-strong group was led by the young commander Kārlis Krauja (real name Visvaldis Brizga).
On 17 March 1949, the 24 partisans, who were in a bunker at the time, fought their last battle against the 760-strong force of the Ministry of State Security, or Cheka. 15 guerrillas were killed, nine were captured and deported to Siberia with their supporters.
In 1992, the Home Guards, together with the Daugava Hawks and representatives of patriotic organisations, dug up the bunker, collected the bones of the fallen fighters and buried them in the Virki Cemetery in Dobele. A White Cross, a memorial stone and a granite stele were erected at the bunker.
In the mid-1990s, the outline of the bunker was already traced and reinforced with internal walls, but it was not until the 60th anniversary of the battle that the bunker was rebuilt exactly as it was before it was blown up. Many supporters and volunteers helped to make it happen.
Inside the bunker you can see a stove, a table and narrow benches on which the partisans slept. There are information boards, memorial stones with the names of the partisans and their supporters.
There is a resting place and a toilet.