Latvian Soldiers at Lake Ilmen

16^th ZEMGALES BATTALION

        One of the first of three newly formed battalions from Latvia, l. Lettische Kampfabteilung, later only renamed the 16^th Zemgales Battalion, on 22^nd October 1941 left Riga. The Battalion was commanded by the following: Battalion commander — Pltn. K. Mangulis, 1^rst Company commander — kltn. A. Beisans, 2^nd Company — Captain Mateass, 3^rd Company — Vltn. V. Reinholds and Captain J. Varens and Lieutenant. Menšelu (Menschel), whom later was replaced by Vltn. Neiberdts. This battalion together with the newly formed 21^st Liepajas’, 19^th Latgales, 18^th Kurzemes, 24^th Talsu and 26^th Tukuma Battalion made up the 19^th Divisions nucleus. The battalion count was 21 commanders, 166 NCO and 283 soldiers. Armed with 493 rifles, 40 automatic weapons, and 6 grenade launchers.
       With the battalion leaving for Russia, on 20^th of October, the battalion held a review at Doma Church field. Generalkomisars Drekslers overlooked this review. Addressing the soldiers was also Battalion Commander Pltn. Mangulis. The review took place without the Latvian flag, and was not allowed to sing the Latvian hymn. Wanting their day, Pltn. R. Osis who received the Generalkomisar permission, the next day held another battalion review. That happened on Abrenes street Kazarmju Field. This review, the battalion marched with the Latvian flag, and soldiers sang the Latvian nation hymn — God, bless Latvia!.
        After the review the battalion’s orchestra led the marched to Rigas Precu Station, stopping by the Freedom Monument where soldiers placed flowers given to them by the people seeing them off. At 17:00 hours the group left Riga.
       24^th of October the Battalion went through Pleskau and Dno reaching Solcu Station, where waited 561^st. motorized led by German Battalion Commander Hptm. Lirs (Luer). The Battalion was placed in Solcu. The next day the Battalion did a review observed by 16^th German Armies region army commander Glen. Spumonis (Spearman). He also acquainted the Battalion officers with the front situation and their orders that were to guard behind the lines, the railroads and prisoners. These tasks weren’t light, for Solcu — Ilmena lake western coast region were many left behindRed Army soldiers and also local terrorist and bandit groups, that destroyed railroads, robbed and terrorized local residents.
       After arrival at Solcos, the German Commander allowed the soldiers to place on their work caps Latvian Army patches that were officially allowed only in January 1942.
      The first Latvian soldier to die in the Second World War fell not from Russian, but German bullets. On 27^th of October, the third day after arrival at Soļcos, returning from evening duties, a German soldier while placing a machinegun on his shoulder, the safety catch went off firing the gun and fatally wounding 3^rd company soldier T. Tauriti. He was buried with military honors in Solcos. The guilty German soldier was delivered to the stockade. It was mentioned that on the Eastern front fell on 30^th of August a Latvian, A. Skuja. At that time no Latvian unit was on the front. Corporal Skuja was in a German unit and fell from terrorist action in Latvian territory.
         For the first two months, battalion soldiers received Wehrmacht pay, but after those, the pay was as police (KdOL), which was much less than Wehrmacht. Also warm clothes started to be furnished by the Wehrmacht, but later also this job was done by the German police and meant almost receiving nothing.
    On the 12^th of December Battalion Commanders changed, battalion leadership was taken over by Captain R. Kocins when Commander Pltn. Mangulis had discord with German liaisons officers and returned to Riga.
        The Battalion units at Dno-Stolci-Staraja Rusas region were extremely spread out to several places, some approximately 100 km one from other.
      1^st Company on 29^th of October replaced a German guard battalion guarding between Dno and Solcu stations. This orders company filled until 5^th of December. The Company command center from start was at Solcos, later at Dno station.
      1942, 4^th of January 1^st Company commanded by lieutenant. K. Field was sent to Storage Russa, where the Russians had started an attack. The rest of the command units filled guarding railroad bridges to guarantee traffic to the front.
      31^st of March Dno Station survived a Russian aircraft attack. In the Dno station building were killed 37 German and 4 Latvian soldiers, wounding 2 Latvian soldiers with 15 1^st company soldiers remaining.
    28^th of April 1^st Company command from Staraja Russas called back to Dno station, where company guarded railroad between Dno and Solcu stations. 18^th of June Battalion post and 1^st Company transferred to Bezaniciem and put under German 107^th troop commanders, with a company from Zirneja worked as reserves.
    20^th of June 1^st Company with armed German train left for Sudomas Station and further to Alfonogovu, where the company helped battle with about 200 Russian terrorist which ended 6^th of July, when company transferred to Krasnij Luc area. 10^th of July the company returned to Bezanicos. 21^st of July the company again divided into smaller units in the Asevo-Klukino-Dochodas region, where they for two days tried to stop terrorists from destroying railroad lines which were being demolished every night. 25^th of July the company returned to Bezanicos without success.
      4^th of August 1^st Company guarded at Markovas Region forest work, but 21^st of August, 1^st command guarded the railroad south from Nasvas station. August end the 1^st Company joined in battles with Russian paratroopers in the Asevo Station region and Southeast from Zenkovas.
      3^rd of September 1^st Company Commander Captain A. Beisanu transferred to 4^th Company commander and 4^th Company Commander Captain J. Ozolu to 1^st Company Commander.
         September, October and November months 1^st company patrolled behind the German lines at Smenovo-Borisovo-Tarchovo-Bolotnikovo-Stencovo Region. The bandit activity in this region hadincreased so Commander V.V. J. Ritumis with 12 soldiers, 2 automatic weapons and 1 machinegun 23^rd of September went on a reconnaissance.

Reconnaissance Patrol Findings:

    1) Sept. 23 04:00 clock a 100-man bandit group went through Borisovo in a Easterly direction. About half of them were dressed in Red Army uniforms. Also in Lechovo another group the same size spent the night of 22^nd there.
    2) 22^nd Sept. we went through Tarchovo North direction towards 3^rd Red Army.
    3) Sept. 23^rd went through Paljutino 11:00 clock and headed in a western direction following a 50 man Red Army group.
   4) Sept. 23^rd before lunch went through Bolotņikovo following a Red Army group Northwest direction.Returning from reconnaissance, the patrol between Proriticas and Bolotnikovo villages from three sides received automatic pistol and gunfire. Reconnaissance patrol started return fire. After about 10 minutes, when the patrol commander gave orders to get ready to attack, the bandits retreated. The patrol lost 2 fallen and 1 wounded. The bandit group’s strength was 30—50 men. Loses on bandit side was not known.

   At the road edge, where the bandits were positioned, found English rifle shells and 3 English rifle bayonets. All bandit positions did not get searched. Returned with gathered information.

   Wounded by an exploded bullet in the right arm above elbow one soldier. He is placed at Novo-Sokoniku hospital.

   Fallen: 1) Kapr. Rozentāls-Zaķīs Hermanis born 1919.
               2) Ilva Arnolds, born 1909.

   After finished cleaning this region German 16^th Army Rear Region Commander publicized following command:

”Lake area, west from line at Nasva-Lokņa showed up strong Red bandit groups. They went against 1/16. Latvian Battalion defense group. Major Peskes command carried out action that was successfully concluded. There, with one battalion and careful observance, received accounts of the bandits suffering heavy losses.

   7^th of December 1st company started to be replaced with new replacement of the 267^th Reznas Battalion.

   2^nd company after the Battalions arrival at Solcos transferred to Utorgosas Region rear to guard traffic, where they replaced German

   1942, 27^th of January, 2^nd Company came heavy clash with Russian regular army units, which passed unnoticed through the German front lines, which in this region the German strength was extremely weak. Whether also this Red Army was thrown to battle with orders to die. The Red Army knocked out the company from Cerneckajas village, The Company lost 1 fallen and 9 wounded soldiers and also much company material.

   9^th of February a combined German, Latvian and Estonian soldiers group attacked Jasvi and Opoki villages, which was reinforced with considerable enemy strength. Heavy fighting knocked out the Russians from both these villages and one after another repelled enemy counter attacks. The enemy lost 35 fallen, but 2^nd company 7 fallen and 7 wounded soldiers.    The German 8^th tank division command, 10^th of February, said about this battle: . . . Greatest successes along with value earned are the Latvian and Estonian units, which belong shoulder to shoulder with our army, for they suffered great loses…. in this region the 2^nd company was until 25^th of July, fighting many battles with strong attacking enemy.

   Between the 9^th and 11^th of February the battles showed heroic four 2^nd company soldiers decorated with 2^nd Class Iron Cross. They were the first Latvian soldiers that earned this honor. Until 7^th of March, not a full half years time, 2^nd company lost 12 fallen and 29 wounded.

    25^th of June 2^nd Company Commander promoted Vltn. T. Kleinbergu and 8^th of November — Captain A.Taurinu. Captain Mateass returned to Riga, where he was promoted as Youth Organization Leader.

    25^th of July, the company was transferred from Opoki Villages region to guard the railroad at Suscevo, Zogoskino and Tigosci stations, where they were left until 7^th of December, when replaced by 267^th Reznas Battalion.

    3^rd Company until 28^th of November 1941 was in the Solcu region, where they guarded the rear from Red Army soldiers and local terrorists. After this the company transferred to Dedovicu Station region, south from Dno station.

    14^th of December 62 company men were sent to Korostinu (Imena lake Southeastern shore), where they joined the German 561^st Motorized battalion, that acted on secret orders moving to Iļmena lake and that southern shore. On the lakes Eastern shore was found Red Armies’ strength, across the thick ice did attacks on the lakes western shore against the Germans.

    They were divided among 3 companies, the Latvians promoted Vltn. V. Avotnieku and Lieutenant. V. Konradiju as help for the group at Ilmena Lake western shore and stayed until the spring 1942 floods, fighting many battles with attacking enemy.

    Heaviest clash was fought by V.V. T. Purpetera led leadership of 22 men 7^th of March by Pog. Uzinas village. Command from B. Uzina sent help and the Germans repelled the Russian attacks. The unit surrounded the enemy and from the rear with heavy attacks destroyed the enemy. The enemy lost 92 fallen and 85 wounded, l heavy artillery gun, and many guns. The Russian Comisar committed suicide. Seeing a catastrophe, Russians sent help over ice covered Tulebjskija Gulf, heavy tanks, but they all broke through the ice and none reached the shore. Later, they looked like they were American made. V.V. Purpeter led unit lost only one lightly wounded soldier.

    The rest of the company did railroad guarding in Morino Station region, about 30 km East from Dno station.

In the month of April started the winter thaw and Ilmena lakes’ southern shore was strongly flooded by Lovatjas and Polistjas Rivers. There, where during the winter happened many bloody fights, now was flooded waters, that fully restrained army movement.

   1^st of May 3^rd Company soldiers gathered at Morino station with orders guarding railroads connecting to Morino — Mjakova. Here the company stayed until 10^th of December, when they by railroad returned to Dno station. After several days arriving 3^rd Company a railroad guard patrol 6 km East from Morino station met with about 15 men of a terrorist group, that returning fire retreated in a southern direction. With help from Morino Station a company led by Lieutenant. Ziedainas leadership 6 km south of Savkovo village the unit came upon a large terrorist camp. Terrorists of about 70 men, opened fire on and the unit command returned artillery and automatic pistol fire. With the units fast marched attack the terrorists fled in a southern direction, leaving on the field 5 fallen. This was a Red Armies’ Brigade Camp where they found also discarded weapons, 5 horses and also various documents, maps and codes. The company commander Vltn. V. Reinholdu was promoted to Captain.

    4^th  Company from Riga showed up at Luga only on 14^th of January 1942 commanded by P. Sumanis, who 9^th of May replaced by Captain J. Ozols and later Captain A. Beisans. The company filled guard duties behind the front lines.

   22^nd of April the battalion received 106 men from 16-E. battalion.

   18^th of November 1942 Bezanicos showed up the 267^th Reznas Battalion under Pltn. Bebra command, replacing 16^th Zemgales Battalion.

   7^th of December Eastern Front Command received 60 16^th Zemgales Battalion soldiers.

  16^th Zemgales Battalion Eastern front time from 25^th of October 1941 until 10^th of December,1942 fighting with Red Army units and terrorists had lost 32 fallen and 43 wounded soldiers.

    11^th of December the Battalion with 15 leaders and 266 NCO and soldiers by train left Dno station and went to Zemitan Station. 15^th of December the battalions 3^rd company left for Iluksti, where they were camped in a gymnasium room. 18^th of December Ilukste showed up also the 4^th Company and put up in a mill and cloister.

    19^th of  December the battalion reorganized. 4^th Company and 18^th Kurzemes battalion 4^th Company was included 16^th Zemgales Battalion as technical companies (20^th of January again was transferred). Battalions 2^nd and 3^rd Company 20^th of December moved to Jaunsvetes Estate.

    23^rd of December 80% of the battalion soldiers were allowed leaves until 8^th of January. After returning, 2^nd Company from Jaunsvetes transferred to Ilukstes School. 21^st ofJanuary, 2^nd Company commander Captain Taurin replaced Vltn. V. Juraids.

   22^nd of January 1943 the battalion by railroad transferred to Ludzu, where they delivered all their heavy and automatic weapons, munitions and Army transports. After weapons transfer the battalion by automobiles transferred to Bukmuizu, where until 2^nd of February, were sent to the Leningrad’s Front Sector.

18th KURZEMES BATTALION 4th COMPANY

       13^th of January 1942 the 18^th Kurzemes Battalion 4^th Company led by Pltn. A. Donin , left by buses through Pleskavu to the  Dno region. Companys’ position was Jasvi village replacing some German reserve unit headquartered in Dedovicos. The Companies’ orders was to maintain order in this region and to guard the local residents from terrorist attacks. Its structure was 155 NCO and soldiers with 5 leaders, that came from separate units, artillery, infantry, aviators and Navy.

February 4^th at night the Russian terrorists surrounded Jasvi Village. Only after heavy fighting  until morning fog retreated, burning greatest part of the village. This first battle with terrorists the company suffered loses of in two days (4^th and 5^th February) fell 23 NCOs and soldiers. Also was wounded Company Commander Pltn. Doninu, and his replacement was Ltn. Ozols who later was promoted to First Lieutenant.

        After the battle by Jasvi , the Company transferred to Dedovic Village, from where after several weeks were sent through Loknu to Holma Region with orders to guard a German heavy artillery group. Here from the enemy positions they were continuously shot at with mortar fire and every day from the close forest came attacks, giving the company loses. 16^th of  May fell lieutenant. K. Stender. After a while, the company transferred to Loknu Railroad as guards.

        The Company returned to Latvia December 1942 simultaneous with 16^th Zemgales Battalion. 19^th of December the Company was designated as a technical company, but 20^th January were again called an infantry company.

267^th REZNAS BATTALION

        March 1942 Pltn. N. Bebris formed in Kraslav from Latgales region volunteer 17-E Latvian kd Battalion. Battalion on 18^th of May transferred to 267^th Reznas Battalion and after forming consisted of 12 leaders, 43 NCOs and 409 soldiers armed with 429 rifles, 27 automatic weapons and 12 grenade launchers. Battalion 1^st Company commanded by Captain E. Riekstin, 2^nd Company — Captain J. Butka and 3^rd Company — Captain N. Plavenieks.

        Battalion at Kraslav besides training also filled Guard duty and 14^th of November the battalion left for Bezanicu Region to replace the 16^th Zemgales battalion

        Dno — Novosokoļniku Region 267th Reznas battalion filled those same tasks that were filled by the 16^th Zemgales battalion. After Pltn. Bebra crossed to Latvian Legion from 25^th of February 1943 the Battalion was commanded by 3^rd Company commander Captain N. Plavenieks.

        The start of 1943 until 23^rd of March the 89^th and 107^th Grenadier troops were sent to the front lines, suffering heavy loses. From 10^th to 13^th of February one battalion lost 13 fallen and 20 wounded. 28^th of February fell German liaison Commander Police. Hptm. E. Strassers.

        After leaving from the main front lines the battalion worked on the main railroad guarding between Dno and Novosokoļnikiem.

       These Latvians returned to Latvia only in 1944. after General Bangerska’s request.

26^th TUKUMA BATTALION

       26^th Tukuma Battalion left for Novgorodas front sector 21^st of November 1942 from Kraslavas by railroad led by Pltn. K. Aperata command. Battalion 23^rd of November morning reached Grigorovo station, about 3 km Northwest from Novgoroda. When arriving at Novgoroda Station they found themselves under Russian infantry and heavy weapons fire. The Battalions units only with great hardship reached about 7 km distance from the front. The units that previously held this position was from the Spanish Blue Division who fled the area in unknown directions. Left was only the German supply company and battalion command point.

       The battalions post with battalion headquarters, 4^th company, saper and liaison units positioned themselves in Samokrasas village. With the liaison leaders command also belonged the German Army radio station.

        1^st  Company command center positions were in Jurjevo Klosteri, Novgorodas South Company defense district: railroad line North from Klostera until Troicai, about 9 km wide.

        2^nd  Company command center positions were in Samokrazas Village Eastern corner. Company defensive district: Troica — Piskopjeca, about 13 km.

        3^rd  Company command center positions were in Jerunovas village. Company defensive district: Piskopjeca — Pjerkornskija, about 14 km.

        The Battalion’s neighbor in the rear, about 15 km from 3^rd Company’s right wing was a German training battalion. Other German infantry units were found only by Simskas, about  40 km south from 3rd Companies placement.

        Ilmena lake was frozen over with about 10 cm thick ice covered with little snow. After marking the area of occupation, the company without delay started to build bunkers. Camouflage netting was raised and firewood furnished

        The kitchen battalion soldiers furnished with transports took food from the divisions food storage  point to battalion headquarters from where the companies had to find their own way to furnish on their own districts. The soldiers received long boots and German Air Force coats. They also received large numbers of hand grenades, anti tank mines and several machine guns.

        First reconnaissance over Ilmena Lake did Corpr. Butkus 30/31^st December night, but didn’t find any enemy. This went through January with no enemy engagements.

       January 1943,  2^nd Company commander promoted and replaced Vltn. V. Grantu, for Captain Ciruli because of weak health.

        31^st of January morning a Red reconnaissance group of 3 officers and 10 soldiers came close to 1^st and 2^nd Company by Troicas. The group opened fire and destroyed them. They received one prisoner one unwounded, 2 wounded , and 10 killed. The units recovered 2 automatic weapons, 6 machine guns, 2 semi-automatic rifles, several pistols and hand grenades. Company losses were 2 wounded ,one V.V. Lamberts later died in a hospital. He was buried in Closter garden.

       Next day in Troica showed up German 1^st Landv. divisions Commander Colonel Vile and gave instructions to the1^st and 2^nd company officers and soldiers about vigilance and actions. The action was the first all of the Division in this district since October 1942. After this fight the soldiers received new outfits with guard  coats, overcoats and long boots.

        January’s end and February start was extremely cold, minus 30° C. For many days blizzards covered the area. They lost contact between battalion headquarters and the front units. Snow clearance of the roads were done by local residents.

        February start, whose days morning Kraals 3^rd Company at Ilmena lake by Jerunovas Village came upon an enemy column of about one company strength. A 6 man automatic weapons group placed well timed weapons fire. Enemy front unit, came close about 50 m from coast shore, stopped and the patrol men fell in the snow, and enemy column started back towards the lake center.

       Battalion search on lake Ilmena many found frozen lost Russian soldiers.

        February start gained knowledge that the Russians were concentrating heavy tank strength against battalions 1^st and 2^nd Company districts 14^th of February 01:00 Oclock the company informed battalion headquarters that over the lake narrows heard tank noises. After several hours in the 1^st and 2^nd Company districts showed up 2 German shock battalion with artillery. Between theGerman battalion positions were scattered small Latvian units. The Russian attack however didn’t happen.

        24^th of February the battalion received orders for promotions to Captain Vltn. A. Graudiņš, P. Gonceis, and V. Grants, and First Lieutenant  J. Maisiņš. Also many battalion NCOs.

        6^th of March from the region left the shock battalion, and in their place showed up army’s 58^th Division. The 26^th Tukuma Battalion was put under this Divisions command. The company narrowed their area because those places flooded German units. The Battalion however didn’t pulled together as a group, but left scattered between German units in a 36 km wide front district. In the Battalion district showed up German floodlight groups, and 2 floodlights were placed in every company district.

        8^th of March , 2^nd and 3rd Company joined reconnaissance group of 20 man strength led by V.V. Adamsona and Serg. Butkus did reconnaissance Ilmena Lake other side. Group found Russian artillery ammunition dump bunkers dug in the snow. From one of the bunkers they found 4 Red Army soldiers, of which one surrendered as a prisoner, but 3 fled firing back and were shot.

        From 9^th to 11^th of March the Russians did mass attacks in the 58^th Divisions district, on the left of  26^th Tukum battalion. The Russians with these attacks suffered great losses of about 10,000 to 12,000 men from the German artillery fire for the attack was 5 to 6 km wide across a fully open field.

        15^th of March early morning, 2^nd Company district by Spass-Piskopecas villages German camp was attacked from the rear by about 20 Russian motorized sleds which scattered the soldiers. Part of Red Army headed for Battalion Headquarters, but were stopped for the snow in that direction already had melted.

        Great leadership by Serg. Melbārža repulsed the attack together killed 5 and 3 were received as prisoners with 3 losses: lost Sarg. Dubinskis, R. Striks (buried Jurjevo Kloster garden), and shoulder wound, Serg. Melbardis. This Russian attack was reported by the German information center  as "German grenadiers by lake Ilmeņa eliminated Russian motorized sled attack and destroyed 8 motorized sleds."

         22^nd of March from the battalions region left German 58^th Divisions units, and battalion district left only several anti tank batteries.

        27^th of March 38^th German Army Corps Commander Gltn. Graffs decorated Captain Grantu, V.V. Lambert and V.V. Adamson and 29^th of March also Sergeant Butkusu with Iron Cross II class, and promoted serž. Butkusu to NCO.

        28^th and 29^th of March, both companies left from Grigorovo station through Lugu on Krasnoje Selo. Battalion lst company and rest of the units showed up several days later at Krasnoje Selo. 1^st Company, leaving from Ilmena Lake positions, under Russian artillery fire had wounded 3 soldiers and 2 horses.

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