Latvian Riflemen Soviet Divisions
Encyclopedia
Latvian Riflemen Soviet Divisions were military formations of the Red Army
during World War II
created in 1941 and consisting primarily of ethnic Latvians.
in June 1940 the annihilation of the Latvian army began. The army was renamed People’s Army and in September-November 1940- Red Army’s 24th Territorial Rifle Corps. In September the corps contained 24,416 men but in autumn more than 800 officers and about 10,000 instructors and soldiers were discharged. The arresting of soldiers continued in the following months. In June 1940 the entire Territorial Corps was sent to Litene
camp. Before leaving the camp, Latvians drafted in 1939 were demobilised, and replaced by about 4000 Russian soldiers from area around Moscow. On June 10 the corps senior officers were sent to Russia where they were arrested and most of them- shot. On June 14 at least 430 officers were arrested and sent to Gulag
camps. After German attack
to Soviet Union, from June 29 to July 1 more 2080 Latvian soldiers were demobilsed, fearing that they might turn their weapons against the Russian commissars and officers. Simultaneously many soldiers and officers deserted and when the corps crossed the Latvian border only about 3000 Latvian soldiers remained.
from Latvian workers guard battalions and other active duty soldiers, who at the beginning of German attack, fled from Latvia
to Estonia. 1st Latvian Workers Regiment was formed on July 18, 1941. Their strength was about 900 men, and that was subordinate to 8th Army (Soviet Union)
, X Riflemen Corps. In the beginning the regiment guarded the Corps rear lines and fought with Estonian and Latvian Destruction battalions
, but later joined in battles against the Army Group North
(until July 29). The regiment suffered heavy losses, and at the end of July transferred to Gogland Island and later to Kotlin Island
(Kronstadt
). From the left over regiment was later formed (3rd through September 7) Latvian Battalion (commander Žanis Grīva-Folkmanis), which was part of (Russian) 10th Riflemen Division 62. Regiment. The Latvian battalion had only 283 soldiers. By riflemen, Germans battalions destroyed them and the remaining part retreated to Leningrad
, and Peterhof to be placed in 76th Latvian Riflemen Regiment. 2nd Regiment was formed July 15, also in Estonia. Regiment strength was about 1,200 soldiers. In Estonia, the regiment suffered heavy losses (from July 24 until August 4), then was surrounded, but broke out and fought in the Leningrad Oblast
until October 20. On September 4 the regiment transferred to 76th Latvian Riflemen Regiment. On October 22 on account of heavy losses the regiment was disbanded January 1942 and the leftover soldiers were transferred to other Latvian Riflemen Divisions.
Region
, Moscow Military District
from remains of 24th Territorial Rifle Corps. Beginning name was 201st Latvian Riflemen Division. The division also included other Latvian citizens who were behind Soviet front line and a large number of Russia's Latvians. Beginning strength was about 2,100 men. September 1941 the division had about 10,000 men. Division contained 92nd, 122nd and 191st Riflemen Regiment and 220th Artillery Regiment. On October 5, 1942 it became the 43rd Latvian Guard Riflemen Division. Regiments assigned to this Division were 121st, 123rd, and 125th Guard Riflemen Regiment and 94th Guard Artillery Regiment. 270th Artillery Battalion renamed to 55th Guard Artillery Battalion, 48th Guard Antitank Artillery Division, 100th Antiaircraft Battery renamed to 44th Guard Antiaircraft Battery, 53rd Sapper Battalion renamed 47th Guard Sapper Battalion. The Division was commanded by Guard Major General
Jānis Veikins, Regiment Commander L. Paegle, Regiment Commander A. Frolovs, Guard Major General Detlavs Brantkalns and Alfrēds Kalniņš
. Division joined in combat for Moscow
(from December 20, 1941 until January 20, 1942), for Staraya Russa
(from February 16, 1942 until April 4), Demjansk
bridgehead (from April 6, 1942 until April 9, 1943; see also Demyansk Shield
); from April 10, 1943 until October 15 the Division was in Staraya Russa region, from October 18, 1943 until June 26, 1944 in Velikiye Luki
and Novorzhev
region
. From June 26, 1944 until July 11 the Division was included with 130th Latvian Riflemen Corps until crossing the Latvian border (22nd Army). From July 18, 1944 Šķaune region
and joined combat on Latvian soil on November 7, 1944.
district to 1st Latvian Riflemen Reserve Regiment. It contained 319th, 323rd, and 355th Riflemen and 677th Artillery Regiment, 301st Sapper Battalion, 899th Communications Battalion and Reconnaissance Company. Divisions beginning strength was about 7,300 men. The commanders were: Major General Voldemar Dambergs and Regiment Commander M. Kalniņš. On July 12, 1944 the Division headed to the front as 130th Latvian Riflemen Corps. First combat happened on August 5. They fought at Aiviekste River
, Jēkabpils
, Olaine
, Džūkste and Blīdene.
, placed at Gorokhovets
. Commander was P. Alksnis-Dreimanis, later H. Šponbergs. Regiment trained and placed with 201st (later: 43rd Guard) Division, Second Army (Poland) and Latvian partisans
, and gave cadets to the forming of the Latvian Air Regiment.
) joined in combat in Latvia at Rēzekne
and Daugavpils
, Madona
, Krustpils and Riga Offensive (1944)
and combat at Courland Pocket
. During Courland combat it was subordinate to 2nd Baltic Front 22nd and later 42nd Army. The Corps units fought against Latvian Legion 19th Division units.
. This squadron belonged to 1st Air Army
, 303rd Division, 18th Guard Aviation Regiment, and joined in battles for Briańsk, Western Front (Soviet Union) and 3rd Belorussian Front
. Also the Latvian Riflemen name was given to a column (10 tank
s T-34
). On August 16, 1942 they formed a Latvian Separate Reserve Riflemen Regiment in the Gorokhovets
region as 246th Tank Brigade. This tank unit joined in the Battle of Stalingrad
, Ilovla, and the Prague Offensive
. 1st Latvian Bomber Aviation Regiment was founded September 1943. Until July 12, 1943, it was the 24th Latvian Aviation Squadron. This Regiment supported the XXIV Latvian Territorial Corps. 1st Latvian Bomber Regiment contained 3 squadrons and assigned reserve units. Their commander was Regiment Commander K. Kirss, an Estonian
. On September 28, 1943, the regiment joined the Northwestern Front, 6th Air Army
, 242nd Bomber Division. Later the Regiment was attached to other air force units, with a greater part in night bombing. The Latvian Air Regiment joined greatly the operations in the Baltic region
. On August 9, 1944, the Regiment transferred to 1st Rēzekne Latvian Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. Later (October 1, 1945) it transferred to 322nd Rēzekne Latvian Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. Battle orders to the regiment also included the Courland Pocket
. Overall they flew 6,475 combat missions.
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
created in 1941 and consisting primarily of ethnic Latvians.
Background
After the occupation of LatviaSoviet occupation of Latvia in 1940
The Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940 refers, according to the European Court of Human Rights, the Government of Latvia, the State Department of the United States of America, and the European Union, to the military occupation of the Republic of Latvia by the Soviet Union ostensibly under the...
in June 1940 the annihilation of the Latvian army began. The army was renamed People’s Army and in September-November 1940- Red Army’s 24th Territorial Rifle Corps. In September the corps contained 24,416 men but in autumn more than 800 officers and about 10,000 instructors and soldiers were discharged. The arresting of soldiers continued in the following months. In June 1940 the entire Territorial Corps was sent to Litene
Litene
Litene - center of Litenes parish, in Gulbene District, Latvia. Other names: Lytene, Myza Lytene Population - .Notable buildings - Litene Manor .- History :...
camp. Before leaving the camp, Latvians drafted in 1939 were demobilised, and replaced by about 4000 Russian soldiers from area around Moscow. On June 10 the corps senior officers were sent to Russia where they were arrested and most of them- shot. On June 14 at least 430 officers were arrested and sent to Gulag
Gulag
The Gulag was the government agency that administered the main Soviet forced labor camp systems. While the camps housed a wide range of convicts, from petty criminals to political prisoners, large numbers were convicted by simplified procedures, such as NKVD troikas and other instruments of...
camps. After German attack
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
to Soviet Union, from June 29 to July 1 more 2080 Latvian soldiers were demobilsed, fearing that they might turn their weapons against the Russian commissars and officers. Simultaneously many soldiers and officers deserted and when the corps crossed the Latvian border only about 3000 Latvian soldiers remained.
Latvian workers regiments
On July 1940 1st and 2nd workers regiments (the last later changed to 76th Latvian Riflemen Regiment) were formed in EstoniaEstonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
from Latvian workers guard battalions and other active duty soldiers, who at the beginning of German attack, fled from Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
to Estonia. 1st Latvian Workers Regiment was formed on July 18, 1941. Their strength was about 900 men, and that was subordinate to 8th Army (Soviet Union)
8th Army (Soviet Union)
The 8th Army was a field army of the Soviet Red Army during the Second World War.The 8th Army was formed in October 1939 from the Novgorod Army Operational Group of the Leningrad Military District with the task of providing security of the Northwestern borders of the USSR. The 8th Army was a field...
, X Riflemen Corps. In the beginning the regiment guarded the Corps rear lines and fought with Estonian and Latvian Destruction battalions
Destruction battalions
Destruction battalions, colloquially destroyers or strybki was a paramilitary organisation in the western Soviet Union, which fulfilled tasks of internal security in the Eastern Front and after it.-Background:...
, but later joined in battles against the Army Group North
Army Group North
Army Group North was a German strategic echelon formation commanding a grouping of Field Armies subordinated to the OKH during World War II. The army group coordinated the operations of attached separate army corps, reserve formations, rear services and logistics.- Formation :The Army Group North...
(until July 29). The regiment suffered heavy losses, and at the end of July transferred to Gogland Island and later to Kotlin Island
Kotlin Island
Kotlin is a Russian island, located near the head of the Gulf of Finland, west of Saint Petersburg in the Baltic Sea. Kotlin separates the Neva Bay from the rest of the gulf...
(Kronstadt
Kronstadt
Kronstadt , also spelled Kronshtadt, Cronstadt |crown]]" and Stadt for "city"); is a municipal town in Kronshtadtsky District of the federal city of St. Petersburg, Russia, located on Kotlin Island, west of Saint Petersburg proper near the head of the Gulf of Finland. Population: It is also...
). From the left over regiment was later formed (3rd through September 7) Latvian Battalion (commander Žanis Grīva-Folkmanis), which was part of (Russian) 10th Riflemen Division 62. Regiment. The Latvian battalion had only 283 soldiers. By riflemen, Germans battalions destroyed them and the remaining part retreated to Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
, and Peterhof to be placed in 76th Latvian Riflemen Regiment. 2nd Regiment was formed July 15, also in Estonia. Regiment strength was about 1,200 soldiers. In Estonia, the regiment suffered heavy losses (from July 24 until August 4), then was surrounded, but broke out and fought in the Leningrad Oblast
Leningrad Oblast
Leningrad Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . It was established on August 1, 1927, although it was not until 1946 that the oblast's borders had been mostly settled in their present position...
until October 20. On September 4 the regiment transferred to 76th Latvian Riflemen Regiment. On October 22 on account of heavy losses the regiment was disbanded January 1942 and the leftover soldiers were transferred to other Latvian Riflemen Divisions.
Latvian Riflemen (43rd) Guard Division
The division was formed as Red Army national unit on August 3, 1941 in GorokhovetsGorokhovets
Gorokhovets is a town and the administrative center of Gorokhovetsky District of Vladimir Oblast, Russia, located on the highway from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. It also serves as a river port on the Klyazma River...
Region
Vladimir Oblast
Vladimir Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . Its administrative center is the city of Vladimir, which is located east of Moscow...
, Moscow Military District
Moscow Military District
The Moscow Military District was a military district of the Soviet Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In 2010 it was merged with the Leningrad Military District, the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet to form the new Western Military District.-History:In the beginning of...
from remains of 24th Territorial Rifle Corps. Beginning name was 201st Latvian Riflemen Division. The division also included other Latvian citizens who were behind Soviet front line and a large number of Russia's Latvians. Beginning strength was about 2,100 men. September 1941 the division had about 10,000 men. Division contained 92nd, 122nd and 191st Riflemen Regiment and 220th Artillery Regiment. On October 5, 1942 it became the 43rd Latvian Guard Riflemen Division. Regiments assigned to this Division were 121st, 123rd, and 125th Guard Riflemen Regiment and 94th Guard Artillery Regiment. 270th Artillery Battalion renamed to 55th Guard Artillery Battalion, 48th Guard Antitank Artillery Division, 100th Antiaircraft Battery renamed to 44th Guard Antiaircraft Battery, 53rd Sapper Battalion renamed 47th Guard Sapper Battalion. The Division was commanded by Guard Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Jānis Veikins, Regiment Commander L. Paegle, Regiment Commander A. Frolovs, Guard Major General Detlavs Brantkalns and Alfrēds Kalniņš
Alfrēds Kalniņš
Alfrēds Bruno Jānis Kalniņš was a Latvian composer, organist, pedagogue, music critic and conductor; the founder of national Latvian opera. Kalniņš is primarily remembered for his national opera Baņuta .- Course of life :Kalniņš took piano and violin lessons at an early age...
. Division joined in combat for Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
(from December 20, 1941 until January 20, 1942), for Staraya Russa
Staraya Russa
Staraya Russa is a town in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located south of Veliky Novgorod. It is a wharf on the Polist River in the Lake Ilmen basin. It serves as the administrative center of Starorussky District, although administratively it is not a part of it...
(from February 16, 1942 until April 4), Demjansk
Demyansk Pocket
The Demyansk Pocket was the name given for the encirclement of German troops by the Red Army around Demyansk , south of Leningrad, during World War II on the Eastern Front. The pocket existed mainly from 8 February-21 April 1942. A much smaller pocket was simultaneously surrounded in Kholm, about ...
bridgehead (from April 6, 1942 until April 9, 1943; see also Demyansk Shield
Demyansk Shield
Demyansk Shield is a German military award instituted on April 25, 1943 to commemorate troops who fought in the Demyansk pocket. Requirements for Heer and auxiliary units included honorable service in the besieged area for 60 days or wound or frost-bite in the besieged area, for Luftwaffe — 50...
); from April 10, 1943 until October 15 the Division was in Staraya Russa region, from October 18, 1943 until June 26, 1944 in Velikiye Luki
Velikiye Luki
Velikiye Luki is a town on the meandering Lovat River in the southern part of Pskov Oblast, Russia. It is the second largest town in Pskov Oblast; population: The town is served by the Velikiye Luki Airport....
and Novorzhev
Novorzhev
Novorzhev is a town and the administrative center of Novorzhevsky District of Pskov Oblast, Russia, located southeast of Pskov, on the Sorot River. Population: Town status was granted to it during Catherine the Great's municipal reform of 1777....
region
Pskov Oblast
Pskov Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . Pskov Oblast borders the countries of Estonia and Latvia, as well as Belarus. It is the westernmost federal subject of contiguous Russia . Its major cities are the administrative center Pskov and Velikiye Luki . Area: 55,300 km²...
. From June 26, 1944 until July 11 the Division was included with 130th Latvian Riflemen Corps until crossing the Latvian border (22nd Army). From July 18, 1944 Šķaune region
Šķaune parish
Šķaune parish is an administrative unit of Dagda municipality, Latvia.- Towns, villages and settlements of Šķaune parish :*...
and joined combat on Latvian soil on November 7, 1944.
Latvian Riflemen (308th) Division
This division was organized as a Red Army national unit June 1944. GorokhovetsGorokhovets
Gorokhovets is a town and the administrative center of Gorokhovetsky District of Vladimir Oblast, Russia, located on the highway from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. It also serves as a river port on the Klyazma River...
district to 1st Latvian Riflemen Reserve Regiment. It contained 319th, 323rd, and 355th Riflemen and 677th Artillery Regiment, 301st Sapper Battalion, 899th Communications Battalion and Reconnaissance Company. Divisions beginning strength was about 7,300 men. The commanders were: Major General Voldemar Dambergs and Regiment Commander M. Kalniņš. On July 12, 1944 the Division headed to the front as 130th Latvian Riflemen Corps. First combat happened on August 5. They fought at Aiviekste River
Aiviekste River
The Aiviekste is a river in Latvia. It begins at Lake Lubāns and drains into the Daugava . The Aiviekste is the largest tributary of the Daugava in Latvia. The Aiviekste, along with the Pededze River, forms the border between Vidzeme and Latgale.-Tributaries:*Pededze River*Balupe River...
, Jēkabpils
Jekabpils
Jēkabpils is a city in Selonia, Latvia roughly halfway between Riga and Daugavpils. The Daugava River runs through the town, and the ancient valley, branches, and islands of the river are considered picturesque...
, Olaine
Olaine
Olaine is a town in Latvia that gained town rights in 1967. The history of Olaine is closely connected to a nearby peat bog that was first taken into use in 1940. Thereafter, more production facilities were built, the increasing numbers of workers needed accommodation and the first dwellings were...
, Džūkste and Blīdene.
1st Latvian Riflemen Reserve Regiment
Regiment was organized on February 18, 1942. That was subordinate to Moscow Military DistrictMoscow Military District
The Moscow Military District was a military district of the Soviet Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In 2010 it was merged with the Leningrad Military District, the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet to form the new Western Military District.-History:In the beginning of...
, placed at Gorokhovets
Gorokhovets
Gorokhovets is a town and the administrative center of Gorokhovetsky District of Vladimir Oblast, Russia, located on the highway from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. It also serves as a river port on the Klyazma River...
. Commander was P. Alksnis-Dreimanis, later H. Šponbergs. Regiment trained and placed with 201st (later: 43rd Guard) Division, Second Army (Poland) and Latvian partisans
Latvian partisans
Latvian partisans were fighters in irregular military groups participating in the Latvian resistance movement, including against Nazi Germany and collaborationism during World War II.- Latvian War of Independence :...
, and gave cadets to the forming of the Latvian Air Regiment.
130th Latvian Riflemen Corps
This Red Army national unit was formed on June 5, 1944, shortly before the Red Army attacked Latvia. Their strength was about 15,000 men, which consisted three divisions – 43rd Guards, and 308th Latvian Riflemen Division and a Russian division. Corps commander was Major General Detlavs Brantkalns, Staff headquarters head Major General P. Baumanis, Corps rear commander was Regiment Commander E. Blekis. Latvian Riflemen Corps (2nd Baltic FrontBryansk Front
The Bryansk Front was a Front of the Soviet Army during the Second World War.General Andrei Yeremenko was designated commander of the Front when it first formed in mid-late August 1941, comprising, in Erickson's words, 'on paper two armies, 50th and 13th, with eight rifle divisions each, three...
) joined in combat in Latvia at Rēzekne
Rezekne
In the 19th century, the population of Rēzekne was 2/3 Jewish. As a result of the Pale of Settlement many Jews settled in Latgalia and were confined to the cities. The remainder of the population included Poles, Germans, Russians, and an extreme minority of native Latgalians...
and Daugavpils
Daugavpils
Daugavpils is a city in southeastern Latvia, located on the banks of the Daugava River, from which the city gets its name. Daugavpils literally means "Daugava Castle". With a population of over 100,000, it is the second largest city in the country after the capital Riga, which is located some...
, Madona
Madona
When it comes to age distribution of the Madona inhabitants, the majority group consisting of 5,925 people are registered as "labour-capable" ; 1,339 are under the age of "labour-capability" and 1867 are over...
, Krustpils and Riga Offensive (1944)
Riga Offensive (1944)
The Riga Offensive The Riga Offensive The Riga Offensive (known in was part of the larger Baltic Offensive on the Eastern Front during World War II. It took place late in 1944, and drove German forces from the city of Riga.-Prelude:...
and combat at Courland Pocket
Courland Pocket
The Courland Pocket referred to the Red Army's blockade or encirclement of Axis forces on the Courland peninsula during the closing months of World War II...
. During Courland combat it was subordinate to 2nd Baltic Front 22nd and later 42nd Army. The Corps units fought against Latvian Legion 19th Division units.
Separate units
Latvian Riflemen name was given to its aviation squadron, which contained 10 planesFixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
. This squadron belonged to 1st Air Army
1st Air Army
The 1st Air Army was an Air Army in the Soviet Air Force which served during World War II. It was formed on May 10, 1942 within the Soviet Western Front, and renamed the 26th Air Army on January 10, 1949 in the Belorussian Military District....
, 303rd Division, 18th Guard Aviation Regiment, and joined in battles for Briańsk, Western Front (Soviet Union) and 3rd Belorussian Front
3rd Belorussian Front
The 3rd Belorussian Front was a Front of the Soviet Army during the Second World War...
. Also the Latvian Riflemen name was given to a column (10 tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s T-34
T-34
The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank produced from 1940 to 1958. Although its armour and armament were surpassed by later tanks of the era, it has been often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential design of World War II...
). On August 16, 1942 they formed a Latvian Separate Reserve Riflemen Regiment in the Gorokhovets
Gorokhovets
Gorokhovets is a town and the administrative center of Gorokhovetsky District of Vladimir Oblast, Russia, located on the highway from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. It also serves as a river port on the Klyazma River...
region as 246th Tank Brigade. This tank unit joined in the Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
, Ilovla, and the Prague Offensive
Prague Offensive
The Prague Offensive was the last major Soviet operation of World War II in Europe. The offensive, and the battle for Prague, was fought on the Eastern Front from 6 May to 11 May 1945. This battle for the city is particularly noteworthy in that it ended after the Third Reich capitulated on 8 May...
. 1st Latvian Bomber Aviation Regiment was founded September 1943. Until July 12, 1943, it was the 24th Latvian Aviation Squadron. This Regiment supported the XXIV Latvian Territorial Corps. 1st Latvian Bomber Regiment contained 3 squadrons and assigned reserve units. Their commander was Regiment Commander K. Kirss, an Estonian
Estonians
Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia. They speak a Finnic language known as Estonian...
. On September 28, 1943, the regiment joined the Northwestern Front, 6th Air Army
6th Air Army
The 6th Red Banner Leningrad Army of Military-Air Forces and Air Defence was an Air Army of the Russian Air Force active from 1998 to 2009. 6th Air Army was redesignated in 1949...
, 242nd Bomber Division. Later the Regiment was attached to other air force units, with a greater part in night bombing. The Latvian Air Regiment joined greatly the operations in the Baltic region
Baltic region
The terms Baltic region, Baltic Rim countries, and Baltic Rim refer to slightly different combinations of countries in the general area surrounding the Baltic Sea.- Etymology :...
. On August 9, 1944, the Regiment transferred to 1st Rēzekne Latvian Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. Later (October 1, 1945) it transferred to 322nd Rēzekne Latvian Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. Battle orders to the regiment also included the Courland Pocket
Courland Pocket
The Courland Pocket referred to the Red Army's blockade or encirclement of Axis forces on the Courland peninsula during the closing months of World War II...
. Overall they flew 6,475 combat missions.