First Latvian Battalions Formed
With the greatest of importance for the future was SS-brigf. and police General Stalekers 20th of July 1941 decree for a “recruited reserves”. He wanted 500 man units assigned to Pltn. Veiss forming closed units. That decree legalized the Latvian groups already formed. From these “reserves” formed the first 4 companies which were the first official organized Latvian military units of the Second World War.
28th of July 1941 commander Pltn. Veiss promoted group company commanders: 1st Company, Kltn. A. Beisanu, 2nd Company, Captain A. Brantu, 3rd Company , Captain V. Zaki and 4 th Company Captain F. Rubeni. The first command of recruited reserves included 66 officers and 297 NCO and 130 soldiers, that was the foundation of these first 4 companies. Soon after these 4 companies were filled, they needed more and formed 7 more companies.
That September they started to form battalions that later acquired numbers 16, 18 and 20. Pltn. Fliks gave commander of one battalion (16th) to get ready to leave for the front.
That they were going to the front brought great joy for they were angry about the injustices that the Russian regime had forced on the people and could hardly wait . This group left to the front 21st of October 1941 forming the 19th but at Decembers end was another battalion (17th ) and sent to Lepeli.
The Battalion soldiers wore Latvian Army attire, but without markings and work hats without the Sun emblem. Company commanders coats and jacket collars were 3 stars,—First Lieutenant ,two stars and Lieutenant one star. NCO had Latvian Army galloon, but without markings.
23rd of September the First Battalion was called the 1st Separate Riga's Armed Forces Battalion, but 5th of January, 1942 were already outside Latvian borders, and called the 16th (Zemgales) Group Armed Forces Battalion.
1. Riga kd battalion
4th of September 1941 from several separate Latvian Guard units (4th , 5th , 6th , 7th companies) in Riga , Captain K. Bems formed 2nd Battalion. That 23rd of September transferred to 1st Riga Armed Forces Battalion and 5th of January as 18th (kurzemes) Armed Forces Battalion.
From 12th of December until 13th of January, battalion commander was Captain K. Porietis, from 13th of January 1942 — Colonel. A. Kurse and from 21st of February Captain F. Rubenis. Company commanders were Pltn. A. Donins, Vltn. F. Svede, Vltn. E. Elsis and Vltn. K. Babris.
Battalion 4th Company Pltn. A. Donina command had already 13th of January 1943 left for Dno region but rest of the company filled guard in Riga until the battalion transferred to Minsk .
2. Riga kd battalion.
This 3rd battalion started forming 4th of September 1941. This was formed by Captain K. Porietis from 8th , 9th , 10th Company Riga Police area workers. 23rd of September the Battalion called 2nd Riga Armed Forces Battalion, but 5th January 1942 , 20th Riga Armed Forces Battalion.
From 4th of December 1941 until 13th of January, 1942 battalion commander was Captain K. Bems, after those again Captain Porietis. 11th of March Captain K. Porietis changed for Captain O. Tiltins and in October 1942, Pltn. Uzans. 1st Company from start was led by Captain N. Plavenieks, who later replaced by Captain O. Seturin , 2nd Company Captain Laivinieks, 3rd Company — Captain P. Sumanis, later Captain K. Ziverts and 4th Company Vltn. K. Mednis. First battalion adjutants was Vltn. Eglitis, but he soon transferred to the front where he fell. The acting German liaison officers were Police Major. Kresmers, later Police Major Apels.
SCHUTZMANNSCHAFT
With German SS-Reichsfirer and Police Commander Himler's 1941, 6th of November command, the local police aid in the Eastern districts were renamed as “Schutzrnannschaft “(discipline army).They were to do all normal police functions in the homeland, and with that, Latvia was anticipated to have 6,016 people. This number however was not reached, for the Battalions took many from this unit.
The closed units were anticipated to do guard duties in Latvia , but were desperately needed for the front lines. Therefore the Germans with these closed units usually were without numbers preceded with letters W (Wach), F (Front), Pi (Pionier und Bau), E (Ersatz).
The first closed police units were volunteers who were weakly armed. Only at the last moment with the enemy entering Latvia did KdOL furnish adequate weapons and ammunition.