History of Latvia: a Brief Survey

The Second World War in LatviaSoviet subjugation of Latvia was interrupted by the beginning of the German-Soviet War andthe rapid invasion of the Latvian territory by Nazi Germany’s armed forces. By 10 July 1941,German armed forces had occupied all of Latvia’s territory. Latvia became a part of Germany’sReichskomissariat Ostland — the Province General of Latvia. Just as during the year underSoviet rule, Latvia was again an occupied territory. Anyone who disobeyed the Germanoccupation regime, as well as those who had cooperated with the Soviet regime, were killedor sent to concentration camps. German authorities did not permit Latvia’ssovereignty or even the possibility of autonomy.The German occupation forces enterRīga on 1 July 1941. A painting fromthat period accurately depicts themarch of German troops through adevastated Rīga (in the background,St Peter’s church in flames).In violation of international rights, both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Unionunlawfully conscripted Latvians into their armed forces. During the SecondWorld War more than 200 000 Latvian soldiers ended up in the rank and fileof both occupation forces; approximately half of them were killed on thebattlefield.The Soviet Union included in its army some former military units ofindependent Latvia, as well as those Latvians who had ended up in Russia asa result of warfare or those who had formerly lived there. The authorities of Nazi Germanyalso mobilised former soldiers of the independent Latvian army. Initially, German authoritiesorganised volunteer recruitment campaigns, but when the desired results were not obtained,soldiers were forcefully conscripted into the so-called ‘Latvian SS Volunteer Legion’from 1943.After the withdrawal of Russian troops— a destroyed Russian BT-7 tank in Rīga,1 July 1941.35