Liberation of Northern Latgale from the Bolsheviks

In May 1919, as the attacks of the Armed Forces of the Provisional Government of Latvia continued to the east, the activity of partisans in the vicinity of Balvi increased. In the spring of 1919, several guerrilla groups had formed, each group had its own commander, there was almost no communication between individual "green" groups.

In May-June 1919, there were no warring armies in the Liepna-Balvi-Rugāji area, no administrative institutions were operating. The protection of the region was taken over by the local partisans, creating a system of support points from Lake Lubāna to Liepna. The partisans had a difficult task - to maintain the front line for about 50 km, providing as much as possible posts on the main roads. Natural barriers were used for protection - swamp strips, wooded areas.

At the beginning of June 1919, the “green” groups of Rugāji, Sudarbe, Orlova, Silakroga, Balvi, Kuprava united in the Balvi partisan department, Jānis Vīndedzis became the commander. There were about 100 men in the prize guerrilla department, the posts for guarding the most important roads were at Rugāji, Sudarbe, Orlova, Silakroga, Kuprava, the communication was provided by a department of about 30 men using their horses.

In June, the Balvi guerrilla unit was involved in clashes with enemy intelligence groups, preventing the Red Army from returning. The clashes took place near Silakrog, Augustow, Orlov, Sudarbe, Kuprava, Pokrota, Tikikai. Despite the small number of guerrillas, almost all battles prevailed, thanks to both the recognition of bogs and forests and the support of the population.

At the beginning of July 1919, an order was issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Front to name the Balvi Partisan Division as the Latgale Partisan Regiment, and Senior Lieutenant Jānis Vīndedzis was appointed Commander. The regiment became a regular part of the army, consisting mainly of locals, mostly volunteers, including older men and teenagers outside the conscription age. At the beginning of July, the regiment had a little more than 700 soldiers, but the number of battle units gradually increased, in October there were already 3 battalions with 8 ornaments and about 2,000 soldiers. Along with the formation of the regiment, there was also active fighting. In 1919, the fighting continued with varying degrees of success, and the partisans maintained their occupied territory. The biggest battles took place near Stompakai, Kokoreva, Augustova, Susāji and Liepna. In August and September, fighting continued in the regiment sector, both as intelligence clashes and assault operations.

In October, Captain Jānis Skujiņš took over command of the regiment. The regiment expanded its territory, suppressing Red Army units, and had to retreat, leaving the recently liberated settlements. The composition of the regiment increased after many locals voluntarily joined the Latgale partisan regiment, and volunteers from the Soviet-controlled territories also arrived, secretly crossing the front.

On January 9, 1920, at 6 o'clock in the morning, an attack on the entire front of North Latgale began at the same time.

The regiment's main task was to occupy the Pitalova railway junction, thus preventing the enemy from moving to the south of Latgale, where parts of the Lithuanian and Polish armies attacked.

The largest battle regiment won at Kārsava, Baltinava, Augšpils, Pitalova. Fierce battles took place near Šķilbēni, the 2nd Battalion of the Latgale Partisan Regiment attacked the Šķilbēni highlands, the battles continued for several days, the opponent was the 15th Army Special Tasks Regiment.

The liberation of North Latgale for the Latgale partisan regiment was the most serious test in its entire battle history. The soldiers of the regiment, mainly the locals, made excellent use of the knowledge of the area, skillfully applied the tactics of guerrilla fighting.

53 soldiers of the regiment received the highest government award, the Lāčplēsis War Order, for their heroism in battles. Their fates varied, many were arrested during the Soviet regime, deported to Siberia or emigrated during World War II.

In honor of the memory of fallen soldiers after the War of Independence, monuments were erected in Balvi, Vilaka, Baltinava, Škilbēni, Rugāji, Tilza, Kārsava, Linava parish Rītupe, * Kacēni parish * (* now the territory of the Russian Federation). In many cemeteries - Bērzkalne parish. Priedaine cemetery, Rugāju parish. Cepurnieki cemetery, Garosil cemetery, Stāmere cemetery, Balvi city Orthodox and Lutheran cemetery, Liepna parish. cemeteries and other buried people who, with their heroism and self-denial in the War of Independence, have facilitated the liberation of Latvia.