The life of General Jānis Balozis after returning from deportation

Acting Prime Minister Vilis Lācis, who was appointed on July 31, 1940, wrote an order to expel the former Minister of War of Latvia, General J. Balozs, and her family from the Soviet Socialist Republic of Latvia. Already on the same day, the generals arrested Mrs. and take her to Sizran in Russia. Until 1952, both spouses were in various Russian prisons. It was not until 1952 that a "comedy" of a lawsuit took place, without the accused participating in it, in which both J. Balodis and his wife Elvīr Balode were sentenced to 25 years in prison for "treason". In 1954, after 13.5 years in prison, J. Balodi and E. Balodi were amnestied, but they had to stay in Vladimir. After that, both Elvira and Jānis appear in Latvia several times illegally, but they are re-arrested and sent back to Vladimir in stages. Only in the spring of 1960, after 11 submitted requests to the Soviet government in Moscow, both Balozis were allowed to return to Latvia legally. They manage to sign up with Mrs. Balozs' cousin Mrs. Ozols in Riga, in the former Sinka House on Tērbatas Street. Both need only a pension of 80 rubles.

J. Balodis and his wife spend summers in Saulkrasti from 1959 to 1965, for the last four years they rent half of a small summer house in a beautiful picturesque place, on the edge of the forest near Ķīšupīte tributary Pupaļurga, now Krasta Street 10. Currently there are paved streets and rows of houses. at that time meadows spread around the house and cows and sheep grazed there. This summer house was built in 1960 and was owned by Maksim and Marta Šibas. The owners lived with their son and mother-in-law on the 2nd floor, but General J. Balodis with his wife Elvira and farm manager Marija, who was also considered a family member, rested on the 1st floor. They have a living room and a bedroom here.

Not everyone at that time is so brave that they accept those who have returned from deportation, where are the generals! General Jānis Francis, who was living in Saulkrasti, Alfrēda Kalniņa Street 4 at that time, helps General Balodis to find a summer residence. A frequent visitor to Baloži in Saulkrasti is former Foreign Minister Munters and Mrs. Munters.

From the memories of Marta Šibase in the newspaper "Mājas Viesis" we learn that Mrs. Baloža Elvira loved flowers, she planted them around the house and together. Baloži also liked mushrooms, they read mushrooms, butter beets and birch leaves in the pine forest. A delicious mushroom soup has come out of them, which is especially tasted for Mrs. Baloza.

While resting in Saulkrasti, the general listens to the radio a lot, especially the evening news. The two also read the book together: the husband reads aloud, but the wife turns the pages.

In the summers of 1961 and 1962, the general and his friends visit his native Trikāta, go on excursions along the banks of the Venta and Daugava, visit the memorial site of Staburags and General O. Kalpaks "Airītes". He also goes on a multi-day trip to Vilnius and Trakai in Lithuania.

On March 8, 1963, J. Balodi was involved in an accident. While living in Riga, he goes to the kiosk in the morning for a newspaper. He falls on a slippery street and breaks his leg. Hospital treatment lasts until mid-July. The general also has liver problems during this time. During his illness, he is very sad for Saulkrasti, where he could warm up and relax in the sun. He only succeeds in the second half of the summer.

J. Balodis died on August 8, 1965 in Saulkrasti, was evicted from the house at 10 Krasta Street and buried in the II Forest Cemetery.
Despite attempts by the Soviet authorities to prevent information about Balož's funeral, several thousand people were bypassed by the White General in the past.