Latvian Battalion At Leningrad
August of 1941 the German army had reached Leningrad’s’ Southern outskirts, With Sliselburg (Petrokrepostjas) occupation on 8th of September started the city encirclement that took a long 16 months.
In 1937, Stalin's Leningrad had an area that was advertised as “Leningrad’s rough area” was 30,000 square km with 5 million inhabitants. Roughly, the border west was Narvas river, Lake Peipusa and Volchovas River and North , Lake Ladoga and Finland Sea Bay. By Pleskava they joined with the Stalin line, that consisted of land fortified tank graves and barbed wire barriers. After Estonia’s’ occupation in 1940, this great area was joined with the Estonian Islands group. 300 km west from Leningrad was the Baltic Port (Paldiski) built for Leningrad's defense. This huge defense was encircled by 5 armies with about 600,000 men and 3,000 aircraft.
After Petrokrepostjas occupation, the German Army had shut off Leningrad's land traffic with the outside world and the Russians held only the waterways by Lake Ladogas. The Finland's Army was found North at Karelijas narrows only 30 km from Leningrad and Lake Ladogas Eastern shore at Sviru. Here between Finland's and German Army left in the Russians hands only not fully 100 km wide belt, that adjoined Lake Ladogas. Through this opening from the lake the Russians at night furnished the encircled city with food and war materials. During the winter the lakes ice was thick enough for a heavy automobile road, and also a railroad.
During the spring of 1942 Leningrad's front South sector with the German units operated Pol. General. Jekelns group, which included many soldiers from other countries: Norwegians, Hollanders, Belgians, and Estonians. General Jekeln was the highest SS and police commander in Ostlande and also in charge of the Latvian Police Battalion . He had earlier promised those that were untrained would not be on the front lines however 5 Latvian battalions helped in Leningrad's Front sector.
28th of December 1941 the second Latvian battalion(17th Vidzemes Battalion) left Latvian territory for White Russia but the third (21st Liepajas Battalion ) on 30th of March 1942 was the first Latvian military group, that was truly on the Eastern fronts first lines at Leningrad. Until the Latvian Legions founding front battles also 19th Latgale , 24th Talsu Battalion ,16th Zemgales and 26th Tukum Battalion participated on Leningrad's battles.(See map)
21st LIEPAJAS BATTALION
February and March of 1942, from Liepaja and Kurzeme regions , volunteers formed 5 Latvian battalions, the 21st, 24th, 25th, 28th. and 268th. The Battalions from Liepaja were placed under Liepajas’ Region SS- and Police commander SS-Ostubaf. Dr. Ditricham (Dietrich), with Latvian liaison officer was Kurzemes artillery troop commander Colonel Jakabsons.
21st Liepajas’ battalion left for Leningrad with 3 rifleman companies and one grenade company. Each Battalion structure was 18 commanders, 84 NCO and 487 soldiers.
The Battalion commanders were Pltn. T. Rutulis of the 1st Company, Commander Kltn. Z. Kans of the 2nd Company and Kltn. M. Znotens of the 3rd Company, and Vltn. A. Ginters and Pol. Hptm. Jakobs as the German liaison commander and battalion doctor Lieutenant. R. Strautmanis.
1st of April the battalion by railroad showed up at Krasnoje Selo Station where was waiting the Latvian liaison commander of General Jekelns Army Group Post Colonel. R. Kandis with their own Adjutant Lieutenant Brechman. The Battalion positions at Krasnoje Selo was close to Lemedinjaki Village. In the month of May from Riga arrived a sapper company of 140 men with Vltn. R. Sunas in command.
The Battalion was armed with German and Russian rifles, German, Russian and Czech automatic weapons, Russian and French grenade throwers. The uniforms the soldiers wore were Latvian Army clothing.
The Battalion until the start of July was kept busy on the main Army line fortification work, and also army training. During this time the battalion lost many fallen and wounded soldiers. 26th of April while on road repair work, from mortar fire fell 2nd Company Kapr. R. Kaneckis and soldiers A. Skudra and L. Lazdins, and 12th of May soldier K. Treijs.
First days of July the Battalion was placed on the main army line, and occupied the area East and South from Urickas, about 6 km wide front. The Battalions left border was Leningrad Highway, and right border , Ligovas Canal. All three of the battalion rifleman companies were armed with several weapons systems, which showed great complicated need of ammunition delivery. Company Army structure was about. 120 men with 9 automatic guns, 4 heavy mortars and several machine guns. All battalion units were placed on the main army line, without reserves . Battalion baggage train was found at Krasnoje Selo.
7th of July the enemy did a reconnaissance attack in the 1st Company district East from Staro Ponovo. During the night the Russian group of about 40 men had crawled up to and hidden in the long grass by our barb wire fences.This attack against lieutenant. V. Graumanis command started at 05.30 AM with mortar and artillery fire and then attacked. Artillery fire was dropped on the rear of the Russians attack and Lieutenant Graumans formed a shock group and gave counterattack. The shock group consisted of 16 men with machineguns and hand grenades enemy killing 16, but lieutenant. Grauman unit lost 7 and 12 wounded and lost one as prisoner.
From 20th to 22nd of July the Battalion at all times had to repel the enemy lead by hours long artillery fire. Many of the attacks were with heavy tanks and airplanes
The heaviest attacks during this period happened between 1st and 2nd Company, where a strong Red Army group broke through and endangered all Battalion positions. The 19th and 21st Battalion didn’t have any effective anti-tank weapons so on the 20th of July an attack on 21st Battalion positions by Red Armies’ tanks were hard to stop . On 20th of July fell 2nd Company commander Captain M. Znotens, who had jumped on a tank and opened the hatch and threw in hand grenades. He was shot by a following tank. Also was wounded lieutenant Suski, and lieutenant Brechmani.
Russian attacks during these times caused 35 fallen and from wounds died, 139 wounded and 20 disappeared, as those seen from Battalion Commander Pltn. Rutul 5th of August report to the Latvian defense group commanders. The heaviest was felt by Captain Znotena 2nd Company, which only untouched were only some 6 men. This unit had 4 Battalion officers, 8 NCO and 22 soldiers acknowledged for their bravery.
Night of 22nd to 23rd of July the enemy tried to widen the attack area, but the fighting in this region ended until 28. July.
After the July battles the battalion units were placed at the main Army line spread out between German and Holland units.
Rest of the summer and fall of 1942, the battalions district passed by somewhat peaceful, the battalion built bunkers , did repairs and some reconnaissance .
11th of August , battalion commander Pltn. Rutuli was evacuated to Riga because if illness, and his place until 20th of August was filled by 1st Company Commander Kltn. Z. Kans. From December the battalion commanded by P.V.I. Captain Z. Jansons.
At winter beginning 21st Liepajas’ Battalion changed positions by Urickas and transferred approximately 2 km to the right North from Kiskino villages. Battalion here took up a somewhat narrow defensive area, for the soldier number had been made smaller by approximately 100 men and no replacements were sent.
23rd of December morning a strengthened shock group attacked Russian positions North from Kiskino. The attack was successful, and they acquired one prisoner, one grenade launcher and blew up one Russian bunker. The group loses were only some wounded.
January 1943 a Russian punishment battalion did attack positions North from Kiskino. With blowing snow helping , the Russians first attacked the neighboring Hollanders. The enemy pressure was to strong and they retreated. The enemy continued the attack and started to overrun also the 21st Liepajas’ Battalion left wing. A counter attack by 24 men repulsed the Russians back to their lines. Russians lost 5 dead, but 21st battalion shock group had several wounded.
January end 21st and 19th Battalion left the front and gathered in Krasnoje Selo region, but after small time transferred to Dudergofas region. Here the battalions did training relating to with being official Latvian Brigade, which officially happened 8th of February. 21st Liepajas’ Battalion renamed the Latvian Legion I Battalion (I/Lettische Legion), and attached to 2nd SS motorized infantry Brigade command. 9th of February the Battalion Commander was Captain K. Sneberg.
After several weeks training in Dudergofas region the battalion again helped on the front in Aleksandrovkas region, where earlier stood 19th Latgales Battalion. Their battalion stayed until end of April 1943, when they again removed from the front and sent to Krasnoje Selo, where formed Latvian Brigades 1st Infantry Regiment (I/SS-Freiw. Rgt./Lett. Legion) as 1st Battalion. At this time the Battalion Adjutants was Lieutenant Lukins, Ordinances Commander — Lieutenant J. Burkevics, 1st Company commander Vltn. E. Laumanis, 2nd Company— Vltn. Grazmanis, 3rd Company — Vltn. A. Rabenko and 4th of April battalions 1st troop structure was sent by railroad to Dolgovo station in Volchovas front sector, where in front of Krecno Village was the Brigade post.
19th LATGALES BATTALION
May 1942 beginning the 19th Latgales Battalion was being prepared in a big very soon to leave for Leningrad's front sector.
This fourth Battalion started to form December 1941 Captain K. Porietis in command. Already 16th of December the Battalion was considered formed, but without enough uniforms and armaments. 1942 5th of January the Battalion named the 19th Latgales kd Battalion. 13th of January Battalion commandeering was took over by Captain G. Praudins. Battalion until Mays start acted as Rigas guard army, and also doing training.
Before leaving for the front, the Battalion didn’t have a full compliment of heavy artillery officers. That they formed, borrowing those soldiers from companies of the former Latvian Army Infantry Battery's. From 16-E (later 266-E) Reserves Battalion requested one officer and 4 NCO. Infantry Battery instructor was Latgales Artillery troop Vltn. H. Rozental.
The Battalion was armed with 8 several different system automatic weapons, 2 heavy grenade launchers and some German light weapons. Only when at the front, the unit received Russian medium grenade launchers, but without optical distance measurement instruments. Latvian liaison officer from General Jekeln Army group Post Colonel Kandim successfully in a short time found some French optical instruments.
The battalion reached on the 15th of May Krasnoje Selo and were positioned at Lemedinjaki Village, about. 7—8 km from station. Here the Battalion started small training courses in tactics used in the surrounding area.
From the village, Leningrad and Pulkovas Hill could be seen. On the right was Puskina and left , Finland Sea Bay with shot up Russian war ships.
Training and main Army front line building work passed through May, June and greatest part of July . The enemy with artillery many times shot up the battalion positions and on 3rd of July fell Lieutenant A. Brigis and Serg. P. Rubenis.
The following report of 19th Latgales Battalion at Leningrad is from Ltn. P. Revalda DAY BOOK:
20th of July 8 o’clock started artillery fire in Urickas region. Not knowing who fired, but all the area shook with the noise. Battalion was disturbed not knowing whether Russians had attacked. Arrived orders to be ready to leave. The Russians had attacked in the 21st Latvian Battalion region and with tanks overran the front lines. All day there happened harsh battles that could be seen and heard. That evening the Germans delivered orders from Kampf Group that the Battalion leave for Krasnoje Selo.
21st of July evening the Battalion left for the front sector Southeast from Uricka, where the enemy had broken out. The enemy had been temporary halted by 121st German Police Battalion. The German battalion had suffered heavy loses with many fallen. Also our 21st Battalion suffered heavily. First company overall was in disorder with many soldiers fate unknown. All night the battles raged, the Russians were stopped and a little bit pushed back. The 19th Battalion was in battle for the first time.
22nd July. Battle noise proceeded continuously. Took note of positions on the front and organized units for ammunition supply. Drove with a bicycle. Afternoon drove into battles region at Staro Ponovc Village. This moment the Russians were still burning these villages. The village was a sea of flames. Showed up two Russian tanks, they drove upon on mines and blew up into the air. Still followed a third, but seeing both in front destroyed turned back. Artillery fire started again and the Russians came back. Their attack started German artillery fire which came in waves against the attacking Russians. Fire was stopped and the attack was repulsed. Also many Russian tanks were destroyed with German artillery fire. From the battles sector came so many wounded that the German ambulances couldn’t keep up. Our battalion ambulance doctor helped also many German soldiers. We today are only wounded, fallen none.
23rd July. Today on the front a real heavy artillery battle. With battalion commander and German liaison officers bowed all company positions to keep from being encircled. They still did not flee. Field in front and rear are mined, and unknown terror rains. Second company was lacerated by a grenade, which is first of many sacrifices. Staro-Ponovo village already almost all burned, only ruble left. By the church ruins are Russian artillery positions and also from there fired also Russian tanks. These places were fiercely worked over by German artillery, and finally that evening started also heavy German Arial bombardment. Russian positions turned into fire and smoke sea. Russians were incapable of holding and retreated.
24th of July . Today only rare artillery bombardment. Both sides searched for others positions. Now here saw all weapons classes, our side: “paki”, “flaki”, tanks, heavy artillery u.c. Battalion furnished all types of weapons of all classes. Today brought also “S” mines, smoke grenades and antitank weapons. Today again one fell from 3rd Company when a Russian 120 mm shell fell in his hole. (from 18th -- 25th July battalion lost 3 fallen, 4 wounded and 4 bruised.
31st of July. Today front appeared Pltn. Veiss with Adjutant Captain Galdiņiu, our next highest Latvian commander.
1 August. Until 11 o’clock at battalion headquarters with report for Pltn. Veiss. Came news about transfer to Krasnoje Selo lakeshore, in Dudergofa region. Later in camp learned that the Battalion was to be removed from the front and sent to Riga. That, evidently, was happy news.
7 August. Front was peaceful. Battalion commander Captain Praudiņu changed German liaison commander police. hptm. Heifelds. Captain Praudiu called out to Jekeln Army Group post.
9 August. Gathered units removed from dug in positions and allow to rest at Sosnovka Village, let sauna wash and refresh themselves. Next night again take up positions other place. Imprisoned battalion commander Captain Praudins airplane taken to Riga.
16 August. Evening camp arrived 1st Company from Novgorodas. They were engaged in with movement forming upcoming Latvian Legion, that thought was to be formed in Riga, to which also all items were dispatch.
17 August. Today camp alive movement. Our arrived supply wagons are full of several items. Almost each soldiers are furnished with automatic rifles, and commander with machine gun.
19 August. Evening 1st Company First command took away automobiles to the front. Along took shovels, for anticipated dig in could be close enemy. This time battalion strength was 3 units in Riga, 2 loaned 21st and 3rd Company their positions in the region left only a small group. We were loaned several Holland regiments and we used them as we saw fit. Unenviable condition.
14 September. Battalion command center transferred from Sosnovkas Village to Honoklovo Village, opposite Pulkovas Hill, where stood battalions 2nd Company. Battalion are joined with several Holland regiments, which were commanded by German commanders.
21 September. 1st Company placed in positions by Nikolajev Village, but 2nd and 3rd Company placed by Aleksandrovka. 3rd Company was across from PuIkova hill. Between our and Russian positions by Pulkovas are about a 1.5 km wide neutral belt, strong mined by Russians. From Pulkovas hill the Russians right overlooked our right positions.
28 September. Were with Captain A. Vitinu Battalion headquarters. There appeared a new battalion commander to take Commander Hptm. Heifeldts place who was sick. He didn’t look sympathetic. After audiences my road led to Aleksandrovk, where transferred also battalion post. 2nd and 3rd Company next night go first line , straight against Pulkovu. This evening appeared from Riga also the Blue Bus with Annas Street packages, and promised all very soon furnish also warm winter clothes.
15 October. Today from Riga arrived the Blue Bus and brought Latvian donated warm clothes and packages. They were terribly hurried to get back to Krasnoje Selo, for this place was strongly shot up.
24 October. I am in Aleksandrovka, Village between Krasnoje Selo and Puskin. Russian front here is only about. 500 meters away. Here now once all battalions are together. They had their own areas in the front sectors. Front lines are 1st and 2nd Company and 3rd Company in the village as reserves.
29 October. Night was all unsettling, of all sorts caliber artillery going in all different directions. Both companies had losses, in two hours two fallen and two wounded. Also 3rd Company are 3 wounded, one heavy.
1942 ./43 Battalions winter front district passed by somewhat peaceful, acted only minor attacks. However many had fallen, and many soldiers were evacuate for serious frostbite for lack of warm winter clothing.
Januarys' end the Battalion left the front to Dudergofa region, where that 8th of February they were included in the newly formed Latvian Legion as 2nd Battalion and Battalion Commander Pol. Hptm. Heifeidt place was promoted Pltn. K. Aperatu. After those battalion again brought in main Army line opposite Pulkovai.
14 February. Gone Christmas, Gone New Years. All were tiring, and replacements from Riga were not given. From Brigade Post showed up Brigade commander and gave out first earned Iron Crosses.
18 February. Russians attack Pulkovas region. About 6 o’clock in the morning started artillery preparedness fire, later transferred to Aleksandrovk and laid a rare heartily bombardment. Fell 2nd Company Commander Vltn. P. Blodans, who was blown up into the air when the company's ammunition reserve was hit. Sergeant K. Misinski wounded in the foot, and company newsman fell traveling to battalion post. Removed from battalion depot reserves when the ammunition dump fell 82 mm Russian mine and I heavily wounded in the right foot.
April battalion removed from main Army lines and transferred to Dudergof region. Battalion soldiers were given new uniforms and given new German weapons. 30th of April battalion 1st Latvian Infantry troop was transported by railroad to Volchovas front.
24.TALSU BATTALION
5th of November 1942 on Leningrad front sector arrived the 24th Talsu Battalion with Pltn. A. Vever command. Battalion arrived by railroad at Krasnoje Selo. After a week holding at the fronts rear, battalion took positions on the front , between Finland's Sea and south, south from Kronstates Fortress, in Sergijevskij Monastir region, almost German Army's North front left wing.
Here the battalion was attached to Vermacht 380th Infantry troop commanders Major Herbam (Herb). Battalion with all companies took up positions on the main Army line. 2nd Company Vltn. E. Stipniek command positioned on East against Leningrad, but battalions other two company's under Vltn. V. Vabula and Vltn. A. Nudiena command—along Finland’s sea bay Southern shore. Battalion left flanks were found opposite Kronstat. On Leningrad docks piers end were found the Russian battery that regularly shot up battalion positions. With these batteries artillery fire already on the first days wounded Battalion Adjutant Captain A. Vaidmani and doctor-Vltn. A. Stepi. Compared to other battalion districts, this region was extremely peaceful except for reconnaissance skirmishes on Finland's Sea Bay ice.
During this period the battalion fought not only with the enemy during reconnaissance and patrols, but also with battalion German liaison officers Pol. Hptm. Markvardt (Marquardt). This German was typical National socialist, but Hitler time became a police Hauptman. He was in charge of supplies and he even personally distributed to the Latvian groups withholding half so he could sell the rest of the food to the Germans on the black market until matters were settled and Markvardt was placed under house arrest.
31st of December 1942 (Date which was when expiration of army enlistment ran out) the soldiers were assembled and ordered to write that they wished to prolong their enlistments. The German Command received an 80% reply rejecting the extensions. The reasons given were that they were not wearing Latvian uniforms, not given and promoted as promised, and not receiving leaves from the front as promised.
1943, 11th of April battalion was pulled from the front and sent to the rear, south of Puskina , where at the Perjakules Village area the battalions did training.
18th of April battalion included the newly formed 2nd (43rd ) regiment as 1st Battalion and transferred to Volchovas front sector.
16th ZEMGALES BATTALION
Zemgales Battalion from Bukmuizas traveling through Ludzu, Rezekni, Abreni and Pleskava showed up at Krasnoje Selo 8th of February 1943. Battalion until with leaving from Ludzas 3. February went from KdOL and when arriving at Krasnoje Selo, was Latvian Legion 3rd Battalion (III/Lettische Legion).
Battalion received also 81 additional men completed from 276th Kuldigas Battalion and 10th of February from Brigade new weapons: 300 German rifles, 36 automatic weapons, 12 heavy grenade launchers, 6 heavy artillery, 7 light artillery and 20 machineguns.
Soon after those battalion together I (earlier 21st .) and 11 (earlier 19th) battalion sent to main Army line opposite Pulkovai, where battalion took up about. 3,5 km wide front encircled from Venerjazi village Until Verch. Kojrovo left wing. By Kojrovo enemy from battalion positions found only about. 100 meters distant. This place looked at about one from most horrible Leningrad front sector. This front district battalion stayed until April end. This time battalion front district Army actions were minor. Battalion soldiers reinforced foxholes and built roads from dug in positions to battalion post. Greater battle started when the Russians on 19th March morning opened with strong artillery fire, that lasted a long 2 hours. After that enemy infantry, 2 punishment battalions, started to attack Verch Kojrovo, which was defended by 2nd Company. Vltn. Juraids commanded company repulsed the first attacks . Then the Russians for second time opened with heavy artillery fire barrages, this time only at 2nd Company dug in positions, destroying machine gun stations. After those enemy also successful broke through company foxholes and divided the company in two parts. Company commander Vltn. Juraids without delay organized counter attack from right side, while Serz. P. Bogdanovs on their own initiated a counter attack from left side. Counter attacks with heavy close combat for several hours time the foxholes successfully retaken from the enemy.
With this action the Army honored heroic Serž. Bogdanovs as First Latvian decorated with 1st Class Iron Cross and Vltn. Juraidu and with other 11 company soldiers decorated with 2nd Class Iron Cross.
30th of April the battalion together with other two battalion as the 2nd Latvian Brigade 1. (42nd) infantry troop 1st
26th TUKUMA BATTALION
26th Tukuma Battalion was fifth Latvian battalion in Leningrad's front sector. That 2nd and 3rd Company from Novgoroda showed up at Krasnoje Selo 31st of March morning 1943 , but rest of the battalion units arrived several days later.
They consisted as 3 infantry company's, 1 heavy grenade company, one liaison, one sapper and one artillery unit. They were armed with Russian heavy grenade throwers, Russian rifles, German automatic weapons, machine guns and pistols. The uniforms were very different: Latvian uniforms, German police uniforms and German airmen's uniforms, and all completely ragged and torn.
On the 3rd of April the battalion was reclassified as Latvian Legion 2nd Brigade. The Battalion Commander was V.P.I. Pltn. Aperat, with German liaison commander SS-Hstaf. K. Vichman, until May when Battalion Commander was promoted Captain E. Stipniek from 24th Talsu battalion.
9th of April the battalion transferred to Dudergofu-Ost, where they did training, exchanged torn uniforms. Many soldiers took varied courses, as NCO, gas, anti tank.
With 19th of April the Battalion finished being a police group and with this day was included in the newly formed Brigade 2nd regiment as 2nd Battalion. The Battalion soldiers who were clothed in police uniforms and Russian weapons, exchanged them for German Army outfits without markings and German weapons. 24th April the Battalion designated as SS armed forces with comparable ranks, but with designation “Leg.” and not “SS”.
April end battalion received small number of reinforcements. Time from 29th April until 5th May by railroad transferred from Dudergofas-Ost to Volchova front sector.
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