Landeswehr. Baltic Landesver I Wars of Independence
Landeswehr. Baltic Landeswehr (saksa: Baltische Landeswehr, vene: Балтийский ландесвер, inglise: Baltic Land Defense, Baltic Territorial Army, Baltic Home Guard)
Balti Landesver oli sakslaste poolt okupeeritud Balti kubermangude elanikkonna omakaitsestruktuur, mille ettevalmistusi alustati 1918. aasta varasügisel, kuid novembri teisel poolel arvati see Läti rahvuskaardi koosseisu."Balti maastik" .
Mitmerahvuselisest (saksa-balti, läti, vene) "Läti rahvuskaardist" sai Saksa sõjalise toetusega Läti relvajõud. Administratiivselt allus see Läti kaitseministrile Jānis Zālītisele, varustuse ja sõjalise poole pealt aga Saksa okupatsioonivägede juhtimisele. Läti valitsuse ja Saksamaa esindaja Augusta Vinnigi vaheline leping nägi ette Rahvuskaardi moodustamise vabatahtlikkuse alusel 18 Läti, 7 Saksa ja ühest Vene kompaniist, rahvuskaardi ülem pidi olema neutraalse riigi (Rootsi) esindaja. ), kuid seda ei juhtunud. Vinnigs oli juba novembri lõpus moodustanud lahkuva Saksa armee sõduritest Raudbrigaadi (hiljem Rauddiviis), mille sõduritel oli pärast detsembri lepingut võimalus saada Läti kodakondsus ja maa.
Sakslased ja baltisakslased nimetasid sõjaväge jätkuvalt pigem Balti Landesveriks kui Läti rahvuskaardiks. Landesveri sees kujunema hakanud läti ornamendid moodustasid oma nimed tekkekoha (Riia, Cesis, Jelgava, Latgale) või kompositsiooni (Ohvitser, Üliõpilane) järgi. Läti üksuste ülemaks määrati kolonelleitnant Oskars Kalpaks.
Veebruari alguses saabus Liepajasse kindral Riediger von der Golz. Ta määrati Saksa relvajõudude (kuhu kuulusid Balti Landesver ja Rauddiviis) ülemaks Kuramaal ja Põhja-Leedus ning Liepaja kuberneriks. 16. aprillil 1919 viisid Golcale alluvad väed Liepajas läbi riigipöörde Läti Ajutise Valitsuse vastu.
Balti Landesveris ühinenud sakslased toetasid nii Vabadussõja eri etappidel Läti Rahvanõukogu moodustatud Ajutist Valitsust Karl Ulmani juhtimisel ja võitlesid Andrew Niedra ebaseadusliku valitsuse vastu. Kui algselt oli nii Saksa kui ka Läti üksustel ühine eesmärk - vabastada Läti enamlaste käest, siis pärast Riia vabastamist mais 1919 oli Landeswehri ja Saksa Rauddiviisi sõjategevus suunatud mitte enamlaste, vaid legitiimsete Läti vägede ning Eesti sõjavägi.. Pärast Cēsise lahinguid, milles Landesver ja Rauddiviis said lüüa, jätkasid Läti riigile lojaalsed Landesweeperi üksused võitlust enamlaste vastu. 30. märtsil 1920 muudeti Landesver 13. Tukumsi jalaväerügemendiks ja arvati Kurzeme diviisi koosseisu. 1. aprillil 1922. aastal polk likvideeriti sõdurite lisamisega 7. Sigulda jalaväepolku.
Tuntumad Landeswehri komandörid olid Alfred Fletcher (1. veebruar 1919, 12. juuli 1919) ja Harold Alexander (12. juuli 1919, 18. veebruar 1920).
More information sources
Eric Jacobson. Läti Vabadussõda. Läti Ajutise Valitsuse ja tema relvajõudude võitlus Läti iseseisvuse tagamiseks 18.11.1918 - 11.08.1920. - Rahvuslik entsüklopeedia: https://enciklopedija.lv/skirklis/22216-Latvijas-Neatkar%C4%ABbas-kar%C5%A1
Vabadusvõitlus: Läti Vabadussõda (1918–1920) Läti Riikliku Ajalooarhiivi dokumentides, 1. osa, 18. november 1919–1919. 16. aprill 2006 Ē. Jēkabsons ja J. Šiliņš, Riia, Läti Rahvusarhiiv, 2019.
Vabadusvõitlus: Läti Vabadussõda (1918–1920) Läti Riikliku Ajalooarhiivi dokumentides ”2. osa. 16.-10.aprill 1919.a juuli, komp. Ē. Jēkabsons ja J. Šiliņš, Riia, Läti Rahvusarhiiv, 2019.
Läti vabadusvõitlused (vt kirjandust ja välislinke). Vikipeedia leht: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvijas_br%C4%ABv%C4%ABbas_c%C4%AB%C5%86as
Seotud ajajoon
Seotud objektid
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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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.