Kuršų kišenė/tvirtovė II WW2

The guided tours feature the battlefields of World War II in the vicinity of the town of Priekule. The duration of the tour can be adjusted to suit the interests of the group: from 10 kilometres in three hours to 40 kilometres in six hours. All year round, the tours are available in Latvian, Russian and English. Tours must be booked in advance. The tours are suitable for travellers from 13 years of age. The most suitable mode of transportation is a car or bus with up to 30 seats. Key stops: Gramzda parish where the Soviet Army initiated its attack on the German Army in Priekule in the autumn of 1944. Priekule Brothers’ Cemetery: the largest Brothers’ Cemetery in the Baltics with more than 23,000 Red Army soldiers resting here. Priekule: a site of strategic importance in the south of the ‘Courland Pocket’ where a particularly heavy and difficult battle was fought. Krote parish where in the February of 1945 the attack of the Soviet Army on the German forces besieged in the ‘Courland Pocket’ stopped on the banks of the Vārtāja river.

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.

The only sewing machine collection in Latvia with more than 200 different sewing machines from the pre-war and Soviet periods, which played a direct role in the production of military clothing in the pre-war and war years. Collection creator - Juris Beloivans

The fraternal cemetery of the Red Army 130th Latvian and 8th Estonian Rifle Corps soldiers is located about 350 metres south-west of the Blīdene-Remte road. The name derives from the farm Tušķi, which was located 400 m south of the cemetery.

On 17 March 1945, the last attempt of the Red Army in Kurzeme began. The 308th Latvian Rifle Division attacked south-west and west of the Tušķi homestead and during three days of fighting crossed the Blīdene-Remte road in the 142.2 area of the highlands and reached the Jaunāsmuižas-Mezmali line. The soldiers killed during the battles were buried in several small cemeteries near Ķēķiai, Vērotāji, Jaunāsmuiža and elsewhere.

In the late 1960s, when the Soviet Union began to commemorate the Second World War, a new cemetery was established north of the ruins of the Tušķu homestead, where it was planned to rebury all the soldiers who had fallen in the Pilsblidene and Kaulači area. In reality, the reburial was partial, as very often the fallen soldiers remained in their original gravesites, but only their names were overwritten in the cemetery of the Tuški brothers. The names of the soldiers of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps, whose main wartime cemetery was located on the site of the present Pilsblidene cemetery, can also be found in the Tuški Brethren Cemetery.

There is also a monument to Jakob Kundera, a soldier of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps, to whom the object 'Kundera dots' is dedicated. Immediately after the battle, Jakob Kundera was buried in what is now Pilsblidene Cemetery, and later reburied in the Tuški Brethren Cemetery.

Kempingā "Melnsils" kā nakstmītnes piedāvā divus bunkurus: "Bunkurs 13" ir lielākais ar trīs divstāvu gultām un "Mazā zemnīca" ir mazāka un aprīkota ar divām divstāvu gultām. 

2.Pasaules kara laikā vācu armijai Melnsilā ir bijusi nometnes vieta, robežsardzes postenis un karavīri no apkārtnē atrastajiem materiāliem kāpās ir izbūvējuši sev zemnīcas. 2019.g. kempinga samnieki izbūvēja zemnīcas kā naktmītni, ņemot vērā, kā tas bijis vēsturiski.

Kempings ir veidots aktīvai atpūtai un sporta organizēšanai līdz 300 personām. Tas atrodas tieši jūras krastā, burvīgā vietā 10 km no Kolkas, blakus Slīteres nacionālajam parkam, jūras stāvkrastiem, aizraujošām pastaigu takām mežā. Pieejamas lieliskas, dabā nospraustas velotrases, t.sk. Slīteres aplis (50 km) Maršruts pa meža ceļu ved cauri pieciem lībiešu ciemiem. No Košraga maršruts ved pa apakšceļu – vientuļu, gar Bažu purvu un mežu ieskautu seno ceļu starp Košragu un Dūmeli. (Melnsils-Kolka-Vaide-Saunags-Pitrags-Košrags-Dūmele-Ezermuiža-Melnsils). Pļaviņā pie jūras atrodas telšu vietas ar atbilstoši izveidotām ugunskura vietām. Pašā jūras krastā izvietotas Romantiskās muciņas-divvietīgi sapņu namiņi un četrvietīgās ģimenes mucu mājiņas, no kurām pāris metru attālumā vērot jūru, sagaidīt saullēktu. Turpat blakus jūras krastā pirtiņa. Pēršanās ar dažādām slotiņām.

Dzelzceļa stacijas ēka tika atvērta līdz ar dzelzceļa līnijas Liepāja- Vaiņode izbūvi 1871. gadā. Pati stacijas ēka savu atklāšanu piedzīvoja 1872. gadā. Tad arī iesākusies liela rosība Vaiņodes centrālo ielu apbūvē. Nozīmīgs ir fakts, ka tā laika ceļvežos ikvienas ēkas vai objekta attālums uzrādīts, cik verstis tas atrodas no dzelzceļa stacijas. Dzelzceļa stacija savulaik bija svarīgs militārā transporta mezgls. 

Pirmā pasaules kara gados no stacijas izbūvēts atzarojums līdz lidlaukam, pa kuru pieveda gan materiālus (metāla formas angāriem), gan celtņus, vinčas, kā arī munīciju kara noliktavām, ko pēc tam cepelīni veda uz Rīgu un bombardēja krievu nocietinājumus.

2.Pasaules kara postījumi dzelzceļa stacijas ēku nav skāruši un tā savu veidolu laika gaitā nav mainījusi. Vaiņodes stacija ir apskatāma no ārpuses.

Karadarbība Vaiņodes pilsētas apkārtne saistāma ar Sarkanās armijas sekmīgo uzbrukumu, kas sākās 1944. gada 5. oktobrī Šauļu apkārtnē. Ātri sagraujot vājo vācu pretestību, padomju tanku vienības saņēma uzdevumu sagrābt stratēģiski svarīgo Liepājas – Šauļu dzelzceļa līniju. 1944. gada 9. oktobra agrā rītā pirmās 19. tanku korpusa 79. tanku brigādes un atsevišķās 143. tanku brigādes vienības sāka uzbrukumu. Vācu frontes sabrukuma rezultātā, Vaiņodes austrumu pievārtē atradās tikai nelielas vācu 61. kājnieku divīzijas vienības, kuras atbalstīja bruņotais vilciens. Pretestība tika ātri pārvarēta un jau 9. oktobra vakarā visa Vaiņode bija Sarkanās armijas pilnīgā kontrolē. 10. oktobrī pienāca padomju 6. gvardes armijas 103. strēlnieku korpusa daļas un turpināja uzbrukumus, atspiežot vācu 61. kājnieku divīziju 2 km uz ziemeļiem no Skaistkalnes sanatorijas. Tā kā padomju spēki Vaiņodi ieņēma ar nelielām kaujām, Vaiņodes stacija un pilsētas apbūve cieta salīdzinoši minimāli.

Kaujas Vaiņodei pietuvojās nedaudz 1944. gada 24. oktobrī, kad vācu 10. korpuss ar 14. tanku divīziju priekšgalā veica uzbrukuma operāciju ar segvārdu “Eberhards”. Kauju laikā frontes līnija nostiprinājās tieši uz ziemeļiem no sanatorijas un palika tur līdz 27. oktobrim, kas Sarkanā armija sāka uzbrukumu, kas pazīstams ar nosaukumu 1. Kurzemes lielkauja.

Muižas dzīvojamā māja būvēta klasicisma stilā 19. gadsimta 20. gados. Pēc zemes reformas muižas komplekss izīrēts privātpersonām, bet no 1932. gada pārgājis Tautas labklājības ministrijai pārvaldībā.

6. Kurzemes lielkaujas sīvo kauju gaitā izmantota gan kā atbalsta punkts, gan kā lazarete. 

1945. gada 17. martā sākās pēdējais Sarkanās armijas uzbrukuma mēģinājums Kurzemē. Pilsblīdenes muižas kompleksa apkārtnē aizstāvējās vācu 24. kājnieku divīzijas vienības. Muižas dzīvojamai ēkai 1945. gada 18. martā no dienvidiem uzbruka 43. gvardes latviešu strēlnieku divīzijas 121. gvardes strēlnieku pulks, kura uzbrukums nebija sekmīgs. No rietumiem uzbruka 7. igauņu strēlnieku divīzijas 300. strēlnieku pulka 1. bataljons, bet dienas beigās pa Blīdenes – Remtes ceļu pievienojās 3. gvardes mehanizētā korpusa 35. gvardes tanku brigāde ar 249. igauņu strēlnieku divīzijas 917. strēlnieku pulka 1. bataljonu.

Naktī uz 19. martu Blīdenes stacijas apkārtnē ieradās 19. latviešu SS grenadieru divīzijas 43. grenadieru pulks, kas pretuzbrukumā mēģināja atgūt Pilsblīdenes muižas dzīvojamo ēku. Tomēr nakts tanku uzbrukuma rezultātā stacijā nostiprinājās Sarkanās armijas igauņu un latviešu vienības.

1959. gadā pilī izcēlās ugunsgrēks. No 1961. gada līdz 1986. gadam dzīvojamā ēkā darbojās veco ļaužu pansionāts. 1986. gadā pilī atkal izceļās ugunsgrēks. Kopš tā brīža pils stāv tukša un izpostīta.

Apkārt muižas dzīvojamai ēkai 24 ha liels parks, kas mūsdienās aizaudzis. Parkā ir apmēram 37 svešzemju sugu koku un krūmu stādījumu, tas atrodas valsts aizsardzībā. Parks ir nekopts, apkārtne aizaugusi.

Ezeres kultūrvēstures un novadpētniecības materiālu krātuve “Muitas nams” atrodas Ezerē tiešā šosejas Saldus - Mažeiķi tuvumā pie Latvijas - Lietuvas robežas. Šajā ēkā 1945. gada 8. maijā tika parakstīts Kurzemes katlā ielenkto vācu karaspēka daļu kapitulācijas akts. Ar to tiek uzskatīts, ka Ezerē faktiski beidzies 2.Pasaules karš. 

1945. gada 7. maijā Vācijas pilsētā Reimsā plkst. 02.41 pēc Viduseiropas laika Trešais reihs parakstīja kapitulāciju Sabiedroto priekšā. Bezierunu kapitulācija stājās spēkā 1945. gada 8. maija plkst. 23.01 pēc Viduseiropas laika. 1945. gada 7. maija rītā Ļeņingradas frontes komandieris maršals Leonīds Govorovs nosūtīja ultimātu armiju grupas “Kurzeme” vadībai ar prasību nolikt ieročus, dodot 24 stundas laika atbildes saņemšanai. 

8. maija plkst. 07.00 un 08.35 pēc Maskavas laika Ļeņingradas frontes štābs uztvēra radiogrammas atvērtā tekstā ar informāciju, ka armiju grupa “Kurzeme” pieņem kapitulāciju. Abas puses saskaņoja radiosakaru kārtību un vienojās, ka 8. maija 15.00 uz Skrundas – Pampāļu ceļa pie Sūnu mājām Armiju grupas “Kurzeme” pārstāvis ģenerālmajors Otto Rauzers šķērsos frontes līniju. Sarunas sākās plkst 18.00 un notika Ezerē, muitas namā uz Latvijas – Lietuvas robežas. Dokumentu parakstīja 8. maija plkst. 22.05 un tā paredzēja kapitulācijas kārtība, ieroču savākšanas punktus, iesniedzamo dokumentu un informācijas apjomu un citus praktiskus pasākumus.

Ekspozīcija ir daudzslāņaina un domāta plašam interesentu lokam. Ārzemju apmeklētājiem saturs ir pieejams arī angļu valodā, taču, lai uzrunātu vēstures entuziastus ekspozīcijas satura padziļinātajā daļā ir iespēja atrast specifisku, detalizētu informāciju par karojošo pušu armijas vienībām Kurzemē Otrā pasaules kara beigās.

Ar mākslinieciskiem līdzekļiem, piemērotu krāsu gammu, kauju shēmām, video liecībām, aculiecinieku atmiņām, fotogrāfijām no kara pēdējām dienām, kā arī unikālu vēsturisko fona informāciju ekspozīcija ieved apmeklētāju saasinātā stāstā par karadarbības sākumu un beigām Kurzemē. Tā uzsvērs arī karadarbības sekas mūsdienās, kur Otrā pasaules kara liecības nav tikai vēsture, bet arī ikdienas realitāte.

Muitas namā atrodas citas ekspozīcijas no Ezeres pagasta senvēstures līdz šodienai, tai skaitā par ezernieku vaļaspriekiem.

The Priekule Memorial Ensemble of Warrior’s Cemetery is on the Liepāja-Priekule-Skoda road and is the largest burial site of Soviet soldiers of World War II in the Baltics. More than 23,000 Soviet soldiers are buried here. Operation Priekule was one of the fiercest battles in Kurzeme Fortress that took place from October 1944 to 21 February 1945. The Battle of Priekule in February 1945 lasted seven days and nights without interruption and had a lot of casualties on both sides. Until Priekule Warrior’s Cemetery was transformed into a memorial, the last monument of the outstanding Latvian sculptor K. Zāle (1888-1942) was located here to commemorate the independence battles in Aloja. Between 1974 and 1984, the 8 ha Priekule Warrior’s Cemetery was transformed into a memorial ensemble dedicated to those who fell in World War II. It was designed by the sculptor P. Zaļkalne, architects A. Zoldners and E. Salguss, and the dendrologist A. Lasis.

The centre of the memorial holds a 12 m tall statue called the ‘Motherland’, and names of the fallen are engraved on granite slabs. Until Latvia regained its independence, the Victory Day was widely celebrated every year on May 9.

The Pelči Manor is located in Pelči parish, Kuldīga municipality. Tours of the manor house must be booked in advance. The Pelči Manor was built between 1903 and 1904, and this work by architect Wilhelm Neumann is one of the most outstanding manors of the early 20th century in Latvia. Its architectural language involves compositional principles and elements from Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau. Between the late 19th century and 1920, the manor was owned by the Fürst von Lieven family.

From 1944 to 1945, the Pelči Manor was used as headquarters of the German Army Group ‘North’ (known as Army Group ‘Kurzeme’ as of 25 January 1945).

The headquarters of the Army Group ‘North’ moved from Sigulda to the Pelči Manor on 23 September 1944 in view of the planned retreat of the 18th army force from Estonia. The headquarters remained there approximately until mid-May 1945 when, after the capitulation of Army Group ‘Kurzeme’, information and documents were handed over to Red Army officers.

The Nīgrande Local History Repository is located in the Nīgrande village in the manor barn, next to the Nīgrande Primary School, and is accessible by appointment.

The military history section of the repository includes an exhibition on World War II and original objects and parts found in the area after the war and in later years. You can also find out stories and see photographs about Nygrande and its surroundings from the War of Independence, World War II and the post-war period, as well as life on the collective farm in Soviet times. 

The exhibition has a special place for the local writer Jēkab Janševskis and his works, and there is an exhibition presenting traditional manor house life and furnishings. A mammoth tusk found in Nīgrande is also on display in the barn of Nīgrande Manor.

The memorial is located near the Zlēki Manor ensemble, in the western part of Karātavkalns.  Around twenty boulders with the names of the people killed form a circle, and in the centre is a black marble obelisk about three metres high.

Some of those killed have been reburied at the Zlēki memorial.

In December 1944, in the vicinity of Zlēki, the German Nazi army carried out a large-scale operation against the civilian population.In the combat action log of Army Group Nord, an entry was made at 17.30 on 9 December 1944 that 161 people belonging to the "Rubens Brigade and units of the Red Arrow" had been killed on the enemy side during the action. In Soviet times, this figure was apparently taken as the total number of victims of the Zlēki tragedy, referring to civilians killed.

The course of the action is partly documented in the report of the head of the counter-intelligence section of the German 16th Army of 31 December 1944. It explains that from 5 to 9 December, under the leadership of the highest SS and police leader in Ostland, SS Oberruppenführer and Police General Friedrich Jekeln, a large-scale operation took place at Eichensumpf ("Oak Swamp") against the "Red Arrows" and the remnants of General Kurel's group at Abava.

During the ride with the recreational boat “Zezer” along Lake Ciecere near Brocēni you can listen to the audio guide and captain's stories about Lake Ciecere and the city of Brocēni on its shores, World War II events near Lake Ciecere, trenches on both sides of the lake and the Oak Island, as well as the tank route running along an observation tower and the tank that is said to be sunk in the lake. The audio guide is available in Latvian, Lithuanian, English, and Russian languages. The ride takes 1 hour 15 min.

The "Sail of Hope" commemorative sign for the World War II refugees who crossed the Baltic Sea by boat to the island of Gotland in Sweden in 1944 and 1945. The memorial is located in Osvalki on the dunes between the sea and Ventspils-Liepaja highway, near the public transport stop "Kaijas". It was created by sculptor Ģirts Burvis, who realised it as a sail of hope symbolising the memory of Latvian refugees.

Between autumn 1944 and spring 1945, fearing the renewed Soviet occupation but unwilling to evacuate to a devastated and threatened Germany, some Latvian citizens tried to reach the nearest neutral country, Sweden, by sea. Some of the boats were organised by the Latvian Central Council with the help of the Western Allied countries, which resulted in one of the largest refugee concentration points in Jūrkalnes parish. Besides the boats organised by the Latvian Central Council, other boats were also taken across the sea. It is estimated that about 5000 persons managed to cross the sea. The number of deaths is unknown, as no records were kept of refugees leaving the Kurzeme coast. 

The voyages were dangerous because the refugees were threatened by German patrols on the coast and at sea, sea mines, Soviet aircraft and warships, as well as storms, as the crossings often took place in unsuitable and overloaded cutters and boats without sufficient fuel and food supplies, sea charts and navigational instruments. Departures from Latvia were carried out in secret. The destination of the boats was the island of Gotland, and the journeys most often started on the west coast of Courland (from Jūrkalne to Gotland is 90 nautical miles or about 170 kilometres as the crow flies).

The Soviet Soldiers' Cemetery is located on the Skrunda - Embute - Priekule road, which is situated on a highland between the two rivers Dzelda in the south and Koja in the north. More than 3000 fallen are buried there. 

World War II battles

The Red Army launched an offensive operation from 27 October 1944, now known as the 1st Kurland Battalion, with the aim of destroying the German army group "North", later renamed "Kurland". By 5 November, the Soviet 61st Army and parts of the 6th Guards Army and the 4th Shock Army reached the River Zeld and some units of the 5th Guards Panzer Army captured the bridgeheads on the north bank of the river. Before the next attack, the 2nd Guards Army of the 1st Baltic Front was moved into this sector to reach the Skrunda-Liepaja railway line. After the initial invasion was achieved, the attack towards Kuldīga would be continued by the 5th Guards Panzer Army.

The start of the 2nd Battle of Courland was delayed by weather conditions and only began on 19 November. The Red Army made its greatest gains in the vicinity of what is now the Cemetery of the Brothers and by the evening of 24 November the 1st and 60th Rifle Corps had captured the placdarm on the north bank of the River Koj. However, the Red Army's success ended there. The German Army Group North anticipated the direction of the Soviet attacks and concentrated appropriate forces here, including two panzer divisions.

On the evening of 26 November 1944, the Red Army attacks were halted and no further attempts were made to destroy the German forces in Courland until the end of the Second World War. In the battles that followed, the task was to prevent the German army from being evacuated from Courland.

The monument to the soldiers of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps of the Red Army is located at the ruins of the Kaulači half-manor farmhouse about 100 metres south-west of the road.

On 17 March 1945, the last Red Army offensive attempt in Courland began. The task of the 7th Estonian Rifle Division of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps was to reach the Riga-Liepaja railway line west of Blidene station and to secure the attack of the 3rd Guards Mechanised Corps in the direction of Gaiki. By the evening of 17 March, the 354th Rifle Regiment reached the railway south of Kaulači half-manor through the forest and continued its attacks north-westwards, reaching the Pikuliai houses. In the Kaulači semi-mansion and further to the north-east were the German Burg-Stellung positions, defended by individual units of the 329th Infantry Division. Throughout the day of 18 March, attacks by the 354th Rifle Regiment continued unsuccessfully.

On the evening of 18 March the 354th Rifle Regiment was relieved by the 27th Rifle Regiment. The advance unit of the 7th Mechanised Brigade of the 3rd Guards Mechanised Corps, the 1st Motorised Battalion, with one tank company, was also to be used for the attack. By the evening of 19 March, in a concentrated attack, the Soviets had captured the Kaulači half-manor, seizing a section of the German-built defensive line on the dominant high ground.

Until the end of March 1945, attacks by the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps and the 3rd Mechanised Corps in the directions of Vikstraute and Remte continued, but without success.

During the fighting, the Kaulači half-manor housed various levels of headquarters and a memorial stone was unveiled on the site in May 1975.

There is also a private collection in Zvārde municipality that contains both cars and trucks, as well as motorcycles.

The collection includes a restored German army BMW motorcycle, which was already here during the siege of the german army group "Kurland", as well as several German cars that remained here after the surrender of the German army group "Kurland".

This collection was created by enthusiast Jānis Dobelis. If you make an appointment in advance, the owner is ready to welcome you and give you a full description of each of the exhibits.

The thematic horse-drawn carriage tours offered by the owner of the Stiebriņi farm, such as a horse-drawn carriage ride on a railway embankment, listening to a guide talk about the industrial heritage, are a great adventure. A horse-drawn carriage ride through the sites of the former military garrisons/towns around Paplaka will also be unforgettable. We particularly recommend the children's playground of the Soviet army housing estate, known locally as "Disneyland", the Finnish cottages (a Finnish wartime contribution to the Soviet Union), the water towers and the ruins of the former luxurious buildings of Barons fon Korfs. 

The World War II battle sites near the Embute hillfort and the church are located in the Embute Nature Park, known as the Embute Valley. The nature park is significant because it was one of the first places in Latvia where the glacier began to retreat. The nature park is home to many natural, historical and geographically interesting sites.

World War II battles in the Embute valley

On 27 October 1944, the Red Army launched an offensive operation, now known as the 1st Kurland Battalion, with the aim of destroying Army Group North. The original plan envisaged an attack by the 61st Army from the Vaiņode district in a northerly direction to ensure the involvement of the 5th Guards Panzer Army to build on the success. The German 30th Grenadier Division and 563rd Volksgrenadier Division, supported by the 14th Panzer Division, were defending in this sector. One of the main Soviet axes of attack was on the Vaiņode - Embūte - Nīkrāce - Skrunda road, and it was here that Soviet tank units were planned to be used.

The main obstacle in the way of the tanks was the valley of the Lanka River, on the heights of which the Embute Church, Embute Castle and Embute Castle Mound are located. Between 28 and 31 October 1944, the Soviet offensive was halted here and allowed the German High Command to draw up the necessary reserves. On 31 October, the Soviet offensive was able to advance as far as the river Šķervele, bypassing the Lanka river valley to the north of the Embute hillfort, and continue in the direction of Nikrace.

No military infrastructure was planned in Cape Kolka, except for several offshore lighthouses that were rebuilt over a long period of time, either before World War I, during World War I or during World War II. Coastal defence batteries were planned for the narrowest part of the Irbe Strait, between the Sirves Peninsula and the Michael Tower Lighthouse.

The only fortifications of a military nature appeared at the end of 1944, when the German Army Group North was preparing to repel possible landings by the Soviet Baltic Fleet. In the spring of 1945, after the ice retreated, two batteries of the 532nd Artillery Division defended the coast at Cape Kolka. Battery 7 with four 75 mm guns and three 20 mm zenith guns. Battery 8 with four 88 mm mortars, three 20 mm mortars and an 81 mm mortar. The anti-deserter infantry garrison consisted of one of the most famous coastal defence units of the German Navy, the 5th Company of the 531st Artillery Division. Although it was an artillery unit by name, it was an infantry unit by deployment, which started its war in June 1941 at Liepāja. The unit was then garrisoned on islands in the Gulf of Finland and later took part in the fighting on the island of Saaremaa. The remnants of the division were reformed into one company and, reinforced with seven anti-tank guns and three 20 mm anti-aircraft guns, deployed at Cape Kolka.

The Soviet naval landing operation never took place and the German units capitulated in May 1945.

The military infrastructure in Cape Kolka began to be built after the Second World War, when Soviet border guard posts were deployed here and Kolka, like the entire Kurzeme coast from Mērsrags to the Lithuanian border, became a closed zone

Walking along the slope of Mount Odju for 200 m along the path, you can see several objects related to the First World War - old concrete foundations of cannons from. An unfinished concrete observation tower stands next to the beach, parallel to the forest path along the Rojas Trail. The exact use of this object is unknown. Below the base, niches have been built for ammunition. Deep pits, former dugouts, are also visible among the pines.

Some of the objects probably date back to the end of the Second World War, when German coastal defence batteries were stationed in the area. The 4th Battery, 532nd Artillery Division, Navy, was armed with four 88 mm guns, three 37 mm guns, one 20 mm four-barrelled gun and one 50 mm mortar for illumination at night. Two 45 mm anti-tank guns are deployed at the mouth of the Rojas. The town garrison consisted of units of the 64th and 109th Sapper Battalions.

The ruins of the Ķerkliņu Church are located about 5 kilometres north-west of Kokmuiža, near the Ķerkliņu Lake. The church was built in 1641 by Heinrich von Dönhoff (Derkarth), the owner of the Ķerkliņi manor. The original wooden church was replaced by a stone building, under which tombs were built for the dead of the Dönhof and later Kleist families. The tombs were already destroyed during the 1905 riots, but in 1949 the coffins were moved from the tombs to the church. The church was an example of the Kurzeme Baroque style - its carvings were made by the Kuldīga - Liepāja woodcarvers. Although the owners of the manor and the church were at various times plagued by financial problems, the church underwent several reconstructions during its existence. It also suffered during the First World War, after which the parish rebuilt the stonework in 1929 and added an organ in 1934. Unfortunately, the church was damaged during the Second World War and much of it was lost, so it is to be commended that before the church was rebuilt in 1933, many unique pieces of Baroque sculpture were photographed, inventoried and even ended up in the archives of the Monuments Board. With the establishment of the landfill and the eviction of the inhabitants, the church was never restored. Today, the church walls and tower are visible.

The last fortification lines of the army group "Kurzeme", which were held by the German troops until their surrender on 8 May 1945, are located on the banks of the Vārtāja River in the vicinity of Krotė.

The front line reached the banks of the Vārtāja in February 1945, although cages had been prepared on the important road from Priekule to the Ilmāja railway station before that. During the last phase of the fighting, units of the 87th Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps of the German 18th Army took up defensive positions at this location. In order to protect the road to the Liepāja - Saldus railway line, the 18th Army Reserve 14th Panzer Division was deployed in the vicinity of Berzkrog, with the 1st Battalion of the 36th Panzer Regiment armed with 28 Pzkpfw. V (Panther) tanks. At the end of the war, it was the only unit in the whole of Courland to be equipped with this type of fighting vehicle.

Today, Krotė houses the private collection of Maris Ūtēna and offers the opportunity to see German trenches and bunker sites in the forests along the Vārtāja River. There are camping, a fireplace, a small cottage and carp fishing.

Explosive objects are still present in the forests of Kurzeme! 

A storage room for antiques has been arranged in the house of the lords of the Virga manor. Here you can get an idea of who lived on the banks of the Vārtajas River and in Virga, as well as the Virga estate and the Nold family of barons, as well as the times of World War II and the Soviet kolkhoz in Virga. You can only look at the objects, but you can also listen to stories about topics that are interesting to visitors.

The Virga manor survived the Battle of the Kurzeme cauldron in 1944/1945 so well that a simple walk through the territory of the former manor allows you to perceive the breath of antiquity and the presence of the former inhabitants of the manor. A moment of rest at the "Karlias Zabaks" memorial of the Swedish king Charles XII or at a specially designed resting place near the Virga Tradition House will be useful not only for relaxation, but also as a reminder that Charles XII spent the winter of 1701 right here - in Virga.

In the former granary of the manor, now in the house of cultural and domestic traditions of local residents, you can rent a sauna and rooms for celebrations, including weddings.

Pampāļi is a settlement in Pampāļu parish of Saldus county, the center of the parish is on the banks of Zaņas and its tributary Abrupe, 27 km from the county center Saldus and 147 km from Riga. The settlement was formed around the center of Pampāli manor after the agrarian reform. In 1933, Pampālis was granted the status of a densely populated place.

The hostilities on the outskirts of the Pampali began on November 21, 1944, when the Soviet 4th shock army, forcing Venta, began an attack in the direction of Saldus. By November 24, the situation stabilized and the front line remained unchanged until December 21.

On December 21, 1944, the so-called 3rd Battle of Kurzeme began, during which the 4th shock army of the 1st Baltic Front with 4 rifle corps (12 rifle divisions) and the 3rd Guards Mechanized Corps attacked in the direction of Saldus to connect there with the 2nd Baltic Front units. The German 132nd Infantry Division, whose 1st Battalion of the 436th Grenadier Regiment had fortified itself in the vicinity of the manor and the church, was defending itself in the Pampali district.

The attack on Pampāliai was carried out under the support of massive artillery fire by the 357th and 145th Rifle Divisions of the 1st Rifle Corps, supported by the 39th Guards Tank Brigade. During the first 24 hours of the battle, the Pampali garrison, commanded by the commander of the 14th (Anti-Tank) Company of the 436th Grenadier Regiment, Captain Eberard Coll, was encircled and virtually destroyed in fierce fighting.

Since Pampali was located right on the front line, all the buildings were hit by artillery fire and practically have not been preserved today.

Private military collection in Mundigciems. Aivars Ormanis has been collecting historical objects for many years - military uniforms, uniforms, camouflage, communication devices, household items, protective equipment from different periods and countries, dating back to the Second World War, the Soviet army and the restoration of independent Latvia.

The collection is currently not well maintained and the exhibits are housed in a former collective farm barn. 

It is located at the crossroads of rural roads, turning off the road leading from Pienava to Džūkste.

Memorial to H. Faul, and to the nine German and Latvian soldiers who fell in the battle of 27 December 1944 (probably blown up by a direct hit from a cannon shell) and who are presumed missing since then, as no remains, documents or other evidence of their identity have been found.

The Otanki local museum is located in the yard of the former Rude school.

The guide's narration about the bunker and its creators, their further fate. A model of the bunker created by the students of the former Rude school (according to the partisans' own narrative) and a spatial map of the forest area of those times with marked houses of supporters and contacts can be viewed. Bunker household exhibits collected.

Advance application by phone 26323014 or email lelde.jagmina@gmail.com.

At the end of 1943, the Nazi German occupation authorities, planning to expand the SS motorised weapons units, started to build a training ground called "Seelager" (Sea Camp) in the vicinity of Dundaga. The inhabitants of the parishes of Dundaga and Arlava were evacuated to set up the training ground. 

In order to build the infrastructure for the camp, several branches of the concentration camp "Kaiserwald" were located in the vicinity of Dundaga, where around 6000 Jews from various European countries (including Latvia) and around 1000 prisoners of war and partisans were imprisoned. Many prisoners died as a result of executions and poor living conditions. Some of the dead were buried in the "Čiekuri" branch camp, which according to some accounts was also the murder site of a group of Jews who were building a narrow-gauge railway towards Mazirbe.

At the beginning of August 1944, after the Soviet invasion of Zemgale, the training ground was liquidated, several thousand untrained SS recruits were sent back to Germany, and the SS motorised brigade Gross was formed from the command, instructors and trained soldiers, named after the commander of the training ground, SS Standard-Sergeant Martin Gross. The Brigade took part in the Battle of Tukums in August 1944, and in the Battles of Iecava and Baldone in September 1944.

After the departure of the SS units, the infrastructure of the training ground was used to accommodate Jews evacuated from Riga and other regions of Latvia, who continued to be used as slave labour.

Aizvīkai Manor Park is located in Aizvīki, Gramzda Parish, just a few kilometers from the Lithuanian border.

The places of bunkers and trenches from the 2nd World War are still clearly visible in Aivvikai Park. One of the types of weapons was the Katyusha rocket launch system. Several such Rocket Launching Systems were located in Aizvīki Park, even after the end of the 2nd World War, and these places (caponieri) are clearly visible in nature.

This unique forest park, shrouded in secrets and legends, was created at the end of the 19th century as the Aizvīkai Manor Park, when the baron of the manor von Korff covered the nearby hilly land with a pine and spruce forest. Later, walking paths were laid on the 40 ha area, trees of other species were also planted and a pheasant garden was established.

In addition to the picturesque forest landscapes, there are also fairy-tale and fairy-tale figures made of wood, as well as stone sculptures, which tell travelers about events from the history of Aizvīkai and mark the cultural and historical places in the park. A Green Class has also been created in the park.

In order to get to know the cultural and historical heritage of Aizvīkai Manor Park more fully, we recommend using the services of a guide.

Aizvīkai Manor Park is located in Aizvīki, Gramzda Parish, just a few kilometers from the Lithuanian border.

The places of bunkers and trenches from the 2nd World War are still clearly visible in Aivvikai Park. The Red Army bunker has been restored in the park.

One of the types of weapons during World War II was the "Katyusha" rocket launch system. Several such Rocket Launching Systems were located in Aizvīki Park, even now these places (caponieri) are clearly visible in nature.

In order to get to know the cultural and historical heritage of Aizvīkai Manor Park more fully, we recommend using the services of a guide.

Majora Jāņa Ozola komandētā 3. diviziona 7. baterijai ir uzstādīta piemiņas zīme autoceļa Rīga - Liepāja malā, Džūkstes pagastā, apmēram viena kilometra attālumā no Piemiņas vietas Kurzemes aiztāvjiem.

Trešās Kurzemes lielkaujas laikā no 1944. gada 23. decembra līdz 31. decembrm majora J. Ozola III divizions atsita ienaidnieka pārspēka uzbrukumus, novēršot frontes pārraušanu. Šajā kaujā majors J. Ozols izrāda personīgu varonību un komandiera spējas.

Jānis Ozols (1904-1947) bija Latvijas armijas un Latviešu leģiona virsnieks, Armijas goda sarakstu sprādzes saņēmējs, kā arī nacionālais partizāns un padomju represiju upuris.

Piemineklis Cirkales kapos 1944. gada 9. novembrī vāciešu nošautajām kurelietēm Ārijai Stiebriņai un Veltai Vaskai. Veidojis tēlnieks J. Karlovs.

Vācu nacistiskās armijas daļas nošāva abas sievietes 1944.gada 9.decembrī kopā ar citiem Zlēku apkārtnē sagūstītajiem iedzīvotājiem, vācu armijas dezertieriem vai tml. 

Pēc nostāstiem izriet, ka jaunietes ir pievienojušās Rubeņa bataljonam brīvprātīgi. Viņas kopā ar Rubeņa bataljonu nonāca no Suntažiem līdz Usmai. Taču Jekelna akcijas "Eichensumpf" laikā jaunietes uz ceļa tiek apcietinātas, aizvestas uz Vēlogu mežsarga mājām nopratināšanai un kopā ar nelielu grupiņu citu apcietināto nošautas. Kāda sieviete, Cirkales iedzīvotāja, pazinusi Āriju un viņai izdevies pārapbedīt abu meiteņu mirstīgās atliekas Cirkales kapu malā un kopa šo kapiņu visu Padomju okupācijas laiku.   

Augstākā SS un policijas vadītāja Ostlandē SS obergrupenfīrera un policijas ģenerāļa Frīdriha Jekelna vadībā no 5. līdz 9. decembrim norisinājies plašs pasākums Eichensumpf (“Ozolu purvs”), kas tika vērsts pret “Sarkanās bultas” kaujiniekiem un ģenerāļa Kureļa grupu pie Abavas.

Akcijas gaita daļēji ir dokumentēta 1944. gada 31. decembra ziņojumā. 

Rubeņa bataljona karavīru kapi atrodas pie autoceļa Kuldīga - Sabile, iepretim vietai, kur kādreiz atradās Rendas doktorāts. Pie ceļa ir novietota norādes zīme un piemiņas akmens ar atrodas vien dažu simtu metru attālumā no autoceļa.

Leitnanta Roberta Rubeņa bataljons bija viena no ģenerāļa Jāņa Kureļa veidotās militārās vienības daļām, kas nepadevās vācu karaspēkam un izrādīja vācu sīvu pretošanos. Usmas periodā bataljona skaitliskais sastāvs pieauga līdz 650 vīriem ar četrām pilnībā nokomplektētām rotām, ambulanci un saimniecības komandu. Komandējošais sastāvs: leitnants R.Rubenis, leitnants Filipsons, v.v. A.Druviņš, v.v. Šulcs, v.v. Briedis, v. seržants J.Rubenis, J.Bergs, v.v. Jaunzems. 

No 1944. gada 14. novembra līdz 9. decembrim Ugāles, Usmas, Rendas un Zlēku pagastos notika niknas kaujas starp Vācu 16. armijas daļām, SD un SS vienībām policijas ģenerāļa Fridriha Jekelna vadībā un kureliešu vienības atsevišķo bataljonu, ko komandēja leitnants Roberts Rubenis. Kaujās pie Rendas un Zlēkām iznīcināja ap 250 vācu karavīru, bet rubeniešu zaudējumi bija ap 50 cilvēku.

Pēc leitnanta Rubeņa bojāejas Druviņš paziņoja vīriem, ka turpmāk darbosies uz brīvprātības principa un tā rezultātā vairāki desmiti vīru pieņēma lēmumu atdalīties no Rubeņa bataljona. 1944.gada 20-21.novembrī 11 cilvēku grupu sagūstīja vācu SD vienība un pēc pratināšanām aizveda uz vietējo mežu un nošāva.

Liepājas Karostas daudzu objektu vidū Liepājas krasta artilērijas baterija Nr.2 ir joprojām noslēpumainākā vieta Liepājā. Baterijā  Nr. 2 nemainīgi bija ierīkota dažādu pastāvošo varu karaspēka  munīcijas noliktavas.

Liepājas cietokšņa bateriju Nr. 2 izbūvēja tālāk no krasta līnijas un to aizsargāja augsts nocietinājumu valnis. Baterijas bruņojumā paredzēja 16 11 collu (280 mm) 1877. gada modeļa mortīras. Pēc cietokšņa likvidēšanas šeit bija ierīkotas munīcijas noliktavas. Sprādzienbīstamības dēļ teritorija 130 gadus bijusi sabiedrībai slēgta, apsargāta teritorija, bet tagad šeit ierīkota ekspozīcija par 1. Kurzemes divīzijas štāba darbību 1919. - 1940. gados, kā arī foto liecības par  1.Liepājas kājnieku pulku, 2. Ventspils kājnieku pulku un Kurzemes artilērijas pulku.

Mazirbes piekraste Otrā pasaules karā bija nozīmīga vieta, no kurienes 1944. gadā notika bēgļu laivu satiksme uz Zviedriju.

Laivu bēgles Ilonas Cīrules (dzim. Mālītis) atmiņas: “Man toreiz bija 13 gadu. Atceros, ka septemra beigās veselu nedēļu braucām karavānā no Rīgas uz Mazirbi. Brauciens palicis atmiņā kā kaut kas nepatīkams: krievu svecītes pie debesīm satrauca līdz sirds dziļumiem. Mazirbē nodzīvojām turpat trīs nedēļas, un katru dienu dzirdēju runas par braukšanu pāri un par laivu meklēšanu. Beidzot 21. oktobrī bija jātaisās. [..] Bijām kādi 90 laivā. Es sēdēju tēvam kājsarpē uz klāja. Mazie bērni ar mātēm bija lejā, un tiem tur trūka gaisa. Es laikam snauduļoju, bet otras dienas rīta pusē tika pamanīta lidmašīna un pie apvāršņa kāds kuģis. Tad gan ļaudis kļuva klusi. Pēcpusdienā atkal kuģis, un šoreiz nāk tieši mums virsū. Taču notika kā pasakā: tas bija zviedru militārais kuģis! Uzvilka mūs visus uz kuģa, dzirdīja ar siltu kakao un ieveda mūs Nineshamnas ostā. Mūsi laiviņa tika piesieta pie kuģa un tās īpašnieks Zariņš-Petravs to saņēma sveiku un veselu. Atbraucējos bija Šici, Zanderi, Vanagi, bijušā tieslietu ministra Apsīša kundze, mūsu dzimta un citi. Zinu, ka par laivu bija jāmaksā zeltā. Bet cik - to nezinu”.

1944.gadā no Staldzenes stāvkrasta notika aktīva bēgļu laivu satiksme uz Zviedrijas krastiem. 

Ž. Lapuķa atmiņas par tikšanos ar Dr. E. Bakūzi: 

“Kādā pēcpusdienā pie manis ieradās vietējās policijas darbinieks un klusi pastāstīja, ka šai naktī aiz Staldzenes ciema pie Koku kalniem gaidāma no Zviedrijas laiva pēc bēgļiem. Mans uzdevums esot ar vienu grupu savas vienības aizsargu ierasties šīs vietas apsardzībai, un, ja vajadzīgs, palīdzēt nogādāt bēgļus līdz motorlaivai. [..] Netālu no jūras, negaidot, mūsu priekšā uz stigas nostājās kāds vīrs, pelēkā pusmēteli ar saceltu apkakli un dziļi uz pieres uzvilktu žokeja cepuri. Viņš pasaka klusu labvakar un jautā: „Šis ir ceļš uz Lošupi?" Tāda tanī vietā bija parole Zviedrijas braucējiem. Viņš saka, ka esot šeit ar speciālu uzdevumu, bet reizē vēlētos nogādāt uz Zviedriju drošībā savu ģimeni. Tad, man par lielu pārsteigumu, izvelk no kabatas mūsu virsmežniecības plānu. Krēslā sāku vērot svešinieka seju un drīz to arī pazinu. Tas bija Mežu departamenta Mežierīcības daļas vadītājs Bakūzis [..] Tuvojās pusnakts kad tālskatī jūrā saskatījām melnu punktu. Dodam ar kabatas spuldzi norunāto signālu, atkārtojot to vairākas reizes. Pēc īsa laiciņa no melnā punkta nāk tāda pati atbilde, tikai tā nav no kabatas spuldzes, bet karakuģa gaismas raidījums. Sapratām, ka šim nakti laiva vairs nav gaidāma un bēgļu bariņš sāk izklīst. Bakūzis mūs abus ar rotas komandieri uzaicināja pakavēties pie viņa ģimenes. To atradām kādā kāpu ieplakā zem kuplas egles. Tur zaļajās sūnās, uz balta spilvena nolikuši galviņas, dziļā miegā gulēja trīs šīs ģimenes atvasītes un viņiem blakus, ar baltu lakatiņu ap galvu, sēdēja rūpīgā mājas māte. Mājas tēvs sameklēja pudeli un mājas māte piedāvāja sviestmaizes.  Likās, tie ar savu latvisko sirsnību ir īsti mājas tēvs un mājas māte, kuri savas mājas atraduši šai lietainā rudens nakti zem dzimtenes egles. Vienā pusē šņāc jūra, otrā mežu masīvs un caur egles zariem lēnām krīt smagas lietus lāses. Pudeli iztukšojām, bet no sviestmaizēm atsacījāmies, jo sapratām, ka tās viņiem pašiem vairāk vajadzīgas”.

Namā Lauku ielā 4, Ventspilī dzīvoja un darbojās skolotāja Valentīne Lasmane (dzim. Jaunzeme) (1916–2018). Viņa bija LCP sakarniece un Ventspils sakaru grupas dalībniece. Pēc Otrā pasaules kara dzīvoja Zviedrijā.

130 laivu bēgļu liecības sakārtojusi izdevumā “Pāri jūrai 1944./1945.g.” (Stokholma, 1990), bet pašas V. Lasmanes dzīvesstāsts lasāms grāmatā “Nakts jau nav tikai gulēšanai” (Rīga, 2020). 2000. gadā apbalvota ar Triju Zvaigžņu ordeni. Mira 102 gadu vecumā 2018. gadā Stokholmas piepilsētā Tēbijā.

Nams Katrīnes ielā 4, Ventspilī, kurā darbojās arheologs Valdemārs Ģinters.

No 1944. gada oktobra līdz 1945. gada 8. maijam LCP pārstāvis Kurzemē bija arheologs Valdemārs Ģinters (segvārdi “Dakters”, “Dārznieks”) (1899–1979). Latvijas Neatkarības kara dalībnieks, Valsts vēsturiskā muzeja direktors un Latvijas Universitātes docents. Apbalvots ar Lāčplēša Kara ordeni un Triju Zvaigžņu ordeni. Viens no 1944. gada 17. marta LCP memoranda parakstītājiem. Pēc Otrā pasaules kara dzīvoja Zviedrijā. No 1949. līdz 1979. gadam Latviešu Nacionālā fonda valdes priekšsēdis.

Livonijas odeņa pilī ierīkotajā cietumā 1944.-1945. gadā apcietinājumā atradās vairāki LCP Ventspils sakaru grupas dalīnieki un bēgļu laivu pārcēlāji.

Laivu pārcēlāja Žaņa Fonzova atmiņas: “Izbraucām no Zviedrijas divas laivas - “Krīvs” un “Zvejnieks”. Es biju uz “Zvejnieka”, un apkalpē bija Saulīte ar Grunti. [..] Laiks bija skaists, es braucu  tā neuzkrītoši, ne sevišķi augstu. Uzreiz redzu - man morzē. Tuvojas laiva. Es lejā uz mašīntelpu, jo bez Saulītes papīriem arī man bija atbraucēju vēstules piederīgajiem Latvijā un salasītie ieroči maisā. Sabāzu vēstules un papīrus tanī ieroču maisā un visu pāri bortam.. Kā tad! Laiva klāt pie mūsējās un vācieši prasa mūsu braukšanas atļaujas. [..] Tā nu 21. oktobrī vācieši veda mūs ar visu “Zvejnieku” uz Ventspili. Noveda mūs uz cietumu. Tur telpā kādi 30 cilvēki. Man bija mugurā tāds aitādas kažociņš, liku to uz grīdas un pats virsū, taču pagājušā nakts bja negulēta. Otrā trešā dienā sauc mūs laukā pratināt. Bijām norunājuši teikt, ka esam bēgļi ceļā uz Vāciju. Es tikai biju gribējis aizbraukt uz Lielirbi savai brūtītei pakaļ. Liekas, šie mums noticēja toreiz. [..] Bet, tad Ventspilī mainījās stāvoklis: pilsētu pārņēma militārā pārvalde, un mūs izsauca uz pratināšanu otrreiz. Nu bija sliktāk, jo rādīja mums zviedru sērkociņu kastīti un vienu kronas gabalu, kas esot atrasti uz laivas. Viens no pārklaušinātājiem bija latvietis, un tas net mums ar galvu, lai stāstot visu patiesību. Redzējām, ka pasaciņai beigas, vienkārši bija jāatzīstas”.

Ceļš uz “Grīnieku” mājām Vārves pagastā, kur 1944. gadā atradās viena no galvenajām laivu bēgļu apmešanās vietām Kurzemes piekrastē.

Laivu pārcēlāja V. Jurjaka atmiņas: “Ieejot “Grīnieku” pagalma, viss izskatījas ļoti normāli. Klusa lauku māja, neviena dvēsele, laikam cilvēki diendusā. [..] Izrādījās, ka ne tikai “Grīnieku” dzīvojamā māja bija pilna ar cilvēkiem, bet pilnas bija visas būves. Kūtsaugša, klēts, siena šķūnis un pirtiņa. Satiku vienu otru paziņu, jo bija pienācis laiks mūsu zemi atstāt. [..]  Uztura stāvoklis nebija kritisks, bet diezgan trūcīgs. [..] Vakarā sāka bēgļu karavāna virzīties uz jūrmalu. Iepriekš brīdināju visus nenākt laukā no krūmiem pie jūrmalas, jo netālu atradās krasta sargu zemnīcas un novērošanas punkti. Tā bija liela karavāna, jo uz jūrmalu devās visi apmēram vairāk par 200 cilvēku. Nebija cerības, ka visi tiks laikā. Vakars nebija visai tumšs, un es varēju pārskatīt visas grupas darbības norisi. Visuzkrītošākās bija lielās mantu kaudzes. Cilvēkiem dzīvojot “Grīniekos”, tās neredzēja, bet tagad, kad tās izcēla gaismā, tikai to redzēja. Mantām vien vajadzēja veselu  laivu. 3-4 divu zirgu redeļu rati bija piekrauti ar mantām, kuriem sekoja cilvēki. [..] Laivu gaidījām ilgi, bet tā nepienāca. Visai karavānai bija jāatgriežas. Bija stipri tumšs”.

"Vārves būdas”, vieta Ventspils novadā, kas kalpoja par pagaidu mitekli latviešu bēgļiem, kas 1944. gadā gaidīja pienākam laivas no Gotlandes.

Laivu pārcēlāja V. Jurjaka atmiņas: 

“Pie mums bija ieradies no Rīgas mans pusbrālis ar ģimeni un, kad pienāca ziņa, ka gaidāma laiva pie Vārves, es apvienoju šos savus ļaudis ar policijas priekšnieka Jasūnasa grupu un visi izbraucām uz Vārvi. Gaidījām signālus līdz vēlai naktij, bet laiva nepienāca. Tā mēs gaidījām tur veselu nedēļu. Sāka līņāt. Ļaudis no palagiem sacēla tādas teltis, tāpēc šo vietu nosaucām par “Vārves būdām”. Mēs ar sievu pa dienu bijām vairāk pa Ventspili, un ar laiku bija jādomā, kā piegādāt gaidītājiem pārtiku. Atceros, kādu nakti mēs ar sievu uz divriteņiem vedām pa mežu viņiem karsti novārītus kartupeļus. Lija stiprs lietus, zibeņoja un rūca, un siltie kartupeļi labi garšoja izlijušajiem gaidītājiem. Šo slēpšanās vietu nejauši bija atklājis Vārves mežsargs, bet - apsolot viņam arī pārvešanas iespēju, viņš nāca palīgā. Vācieši bija sākuši staigāt pa jūrmalnieku mājām, meklējot pēc cilvēkiem iesaukšanas gados. Netālu no “Vārves būdām” mežā bija noķerti divi jauni cilvēki. Tālab šī vieta nevarēja vairs būt droša šiem pāri par pussimts cilvēkiem, kas te nīka”.

Atjaunotās “Bambaļu” mājas Ošvalkos, Jūrkalnes pagastā, kas 1944. gadā bija viena no galvenajām laivu bēgļu apmešanās vietām Kurzemes piekrastē.

Laivu bēgļa Kārļa Draviņa atmiņas: “”Bambaļi” bija vecas, mazas, stipri nolaistas mājas Jūrkalnes pagastā, apmēram 40 kilometrus no Ventspils. [..] Apkārt pletās nelieli lauciņi mitrajā vietā, bet turpat otrā pusē apvijās apkārt veca, apaugusi kāpa. Gabaliņu aiz tās šalca jūra - mājas bija pavisam klāt pie jūras. Otrā pusē, puskilometra attālumā, gāja Pāvilostas-Užavas dižceļš, taču gatve līdz mājām nebija viegli izbraucama, kāpēc vācieši nevarēja būt ikdienišķi viesi šeit. Viegli bija piesniedzama laivu sagaidīšanas vieta - kāds meža lodziņš augstā krastā. [..]

”Bambaļu” saimniece ar savu grupu, kas arī gaidīja uz “ūdens kustēšanos”, dzīvoja divās istabās uz jūras pusi, bet bēgļu pulciņš mitinājās otrā mājas galā, arī divās istabās. Virtuvi izmantoja kopīgi. Priekšnamiņu starp abiem galiem piebāza ar bēgļu daudzajām mantām. Istabās guļa bija salmos, kas bija izlikti  visgarām gar sienām. Katrā pusē istabā bija viena gulta, kur gulēja kāda māte ar bērniem. Salmu guļas  pa dienu apklāja ar palagiem vai ko citu. Tanīs iznāca sēdēt vai gulēt arī dienā, jo citur nebija, kur palikt. [..] Dienas gāja vienmuļi, viena kā otra. Cēlās pavēlu, nebija, kur steigties. Kad kopgalda brokastis bija paēstas, vieni gāja spēlēt kārtis, daži noņēmās ar  zīlēšanu, bet citi mēģināja lasīt. Kādiem bija jāiet saimniecības darbos - jāgādā malka, ūdens”.

“Laukgaļi” Jūrkalnes pagastā, rakstnieka Kārļa Skalbes apmešanās vieta 1944. gada oktobrī  - novembrī, gaidot bēgļu laivu uz Zviedriju.

Rakstnieks Kārlis Skalbe (1879–1945) bija Latviešu Pagaidu Nacionālās padomes un Latvijas Tautas padomes loceklis, Latvijas Republikas Satversmes sapulces un 1. un 4. Saeimas deputāts. Vācu okupācijas laikā – literārā žurnāla “Latvju Mēnešraksts” galvenais redaktors, viens no 1944. gada 17. marta LCP memoranda parakstītājiem.

1944. gada 11. novembrī devās bēgļu gaitās uz Zviedriju. Mira 1945. gadā Stokholmā.

Мемориал находится рядом со смотровой башней пляжа Павилоста в дюнах. На мемориале есть указатели.

В конце Второй мировой войны три литовских полицейских батальона - 5-й, 13-й и 256-й - были размещены и в Латвии, и после караульной службы и борьбы с советскими партизанами и Красной Армией на Восточном фронте с осени 1944 года они были привлечены к охране побережья Балтийского моря в Курземе.

В октябре 1944 года все три батальона, состоявшие из 32 офицеров и около 900 инструкторов и солдат, были подчинены 583-му подразделению охраны тыла немецкой 18-й армии (Koruck 583). В задачу подразделения входила охрана Курземского побережья от Лиепаи до Вентспилса. Все три литовских батальона были размещены в окрестностях Павилосты. В декабре 1944 года 13-й батальон был передан немецкому 1-му армейскому корпусу в районе Лиепайского озера.

Одной из задач литовской береговой охраны, помимо готовности к борьбе с вражескими десантами и донесения о вражеских кораблях, было предотвращение отплытия латышских судов с беженцами на остров Готланд, расположенный в 160 километрах, но литовские береговые охранники не препятствовали отплытию судов с беженцами. Однако новости о том, что литовская береговая охрана помогает латышским беженцам, а сами литовцы готовятся к переправе через море в Швецию, дошли и до немцев.

10 января 1945 года солдаты 1-й роты 5-го литовского полицейского батальона были схвачены. Последовало более недели допросов и суда, на которых, в качестве предупреждения остальным, было принято решение казнить семерых литовских солдат и заключить 11 их товарищей в концентрационные лагеря в Германии. Казнь семи литовских солдат (сержанта Мацияуски, командира роты; Юозаса Сендрюаса, солдата; Владаса Салицкаса, солдата; Ионаса Башинскиса, Красаускаса и еще двух неизвестных) состоялась 21 января 1945 года в Залькалнских соснах в Павилосте.

В январе 1945 года 5-й батальон был расформирован, боеспособные солдаты были распределены по двум оставшимся батальонам, а остальные были сформированы в отдельную саперную роту. На момент капитуляции группы армий Курземе в мае 1945 года два батальона (13-й и 256-й) все еще находились в Курземе в качестве саперной роты с общим числом 900 солдат, которые были взяты в плен советскими войсками.
 

Побережье Мазирбе было важным местом во Второй мировой войне, откуда в 1944 году осуществлялось движение лодок с беженцами в Швецию.

Located in Tukums region, on the side of the A9 motorway, 500 m from the turn to Lesteni in the direction of Riga.

The memorial site was established in 1991 near the Rumbu houses, in the vicinity of which there was active warfare. This is a tribute to the defenders of the "Kurzeme Fortress" who fought against the Red Army in World War II. The battles were significant because they temporarily stopped the Red Army's complete occupation of Latvia. About 300,000 Latvians emigrated, avoiding crimes against the civilian population by the Soviet regime.

At the end of World War II, a peculiar situation had developed in the territory of Latvia. There were German army forces in Kurzeme, which the Red Army tried to eliminate or prevent their involvement in the fighting in East Prussia or around Berlin. "Kurzeme Fortress" - the most common term to describe the warfare in Kurzeme from 1944 to 1945. The "battles of Kurzeme" were the battles of the German army to repel the large-scale attacks of the Red Army. The Kurzeme fortress ceased to exist shortly after the German capitulation.

Today you can see a place of remembrance and rest, which has been popular among Latvian legionnaires since the restoration of Latvia's independence.

Named ‘Pāvilosta, a Closed Area’, the exhibit in the Pāvilosta Local History Museum is about everyday life in the town of Pāvilosta during the Soviet occupation; specifically, about the executive branch, border area, fishermen’s collective farm, and the cultural and social activities. In addition to the permanent exhibit, there is an interactive and emotionally rich digital exhibit in two languages and an audio-visual installation offering a film about Pāvilosta.

The museum also features a new exhibit named ‘The Golden Sand Grains of Pāvilosta’. The digital installation showcases old events, how Pāvilosta was founded and the most important developments from 1918 to the present day. Military heritage is a point of focus in the War of Independence section, which tells a story about the freedom fighters of Latvia and the time of the Soviet occupation.

The museum exposition (the only museum dedicated to the Kurzeme fortress) tells richly and engagingly about the course of warfare in the Kurzeme fortress and the future fates of Latvian soldiers. On the other hand, in the open-air exhibition, you can walk around and see the restored wartime trenches, bunkers and heavy military equipment.

Working hours:

Monday - Tuesday - closed

Wednesday - Saturday - 10:00 - 17:00

Sunday - 10:00 - 15:00

It is advisable to contact in advance by phone 29442311.

Located in Tukums region, Lestene, next to the church.

The construction of the Brothers' Cemetery in Lestene began in 1998. It is the second largest cemetery of soldiers in Latvia, where more than 1,300 Latvian legionnaires are buried together. Only after the restoration of the Republic of Latvia was it possible to bury Latvian soldiers who died in World War II from various places.

The Latvian Legion was a combat unit of the German army, formed mainly from illegally mobilized Latvians. The soldiers perceived their presence in the legion as a struggle for the restoration of Latvia's independence, despite the fact that it took place in the ranks of the German armed forces and that Germany had occupied Latvia. There was no other military force that could delay the return of the Soviet occupation. Latvian legionnaires fought against the Red Army, which had abolished Latvia's independence, destroyed its army and committed crimes against civilians. Between 110,000 and 115,000 soldiers fought in the ranks of the German army, and between 30,000 and 50,000 of them left their lives on the battlefield.

Today in Lestene you can see the Brethren's Cemetery, next to which is Lestene Church. It is an outstanding example of baroque sacred art. In the old church pub you can get acquainted with the exposition dedicated to the history of the Latvian Legion. The central image of the Brothers' Cemetery "Motherland - Mother - Latvia" was created by the sculptor Arta Dumpe. Nearby is Lestene Manor, which belonged to the Latvian Army General Mārtiņš Hartmanis before the Second World War.

Excursions to Lestene Church can be booked at the head of the parish of Lestene Evangelical Lutheran Church Inguna Kokina, phone +371 29993743.

The memorial site in Kambari is located in a place that is not easy to find. When driving along the Riga-Liepāja highway, between Annenieki and Kaķenieki, you should turn left onto a dirt road and drive about 2 kilometers.

The battles at Kambari and Ileni have gone down in history with a huge number of fallen on both sides of the army. The monument was erected at the Kambari homestead, where in January 1945 one of the most senseless battles took place, when at least 3,000 soldiers fell.

The front line of the Courland fortress advanced through Annenieki in the winter of 1944/1945. Here the 319th Regiment of the 308th Latvian Rifle Division of the Red Army fought against the units of the 19th Division of the Latvian SS Volunteer Legion. Here Latvians fought against Latvians.

Photographer, publicist and writer Gunārs Birkmanis recorded the memories of his schoolmate Alfons Kalniņš in his book “Reflections of a Century”: In 1946, we went to the Īleni and Kambari fields to look for weapons. There, two large fields were full of the remains of fallen Red Army soldiers. A thousand, I think, or more skeletons in gray Russian army overcoats. They had nothing: no weapons, no belongings, no documents that would indicate their belonging. We knew that they were Latvians mobilized by the Russians.

During the Soviet years, a memorial was erected at this place, interpreting what happened there in the Soviet spirit. The monument – the figures of a standing girl and a young man – was brought from one of the many nearby Brothers' Cemeteries, when soldiers were reburied there. The old inscription in Latvian and Russian is still on the plaque: "Here were battles of 1944. gada XII and 1945. gada I for the liberation of the region from the German occupiers". A small memorial stone "Missing soldier 1944-1945" has recently been placed nearby.