Myths Myth: Latvian legionnaires were volunteers Fact: Only 15-20% of legionnaires enlisted voluntarily. They did so to protect Latvia from a second Bolshevik occupation and save civilians from the terror and genocide of the USSR. The rest 80-85% of soldiers were drafted involuntarily. However, the majority of them were highly motivated and, since the independent Latvian state de facto no longer existed, the only opportunity to defend Latvia with arms was gladly taken. The name ‘Voluntary SS Legion’ was used so that Nazi Germany would not formally violate the Hague Convention which prohibits the mobilization of inhabitants of an occupied country. From key documents on Latvian legionnaires Saeima declaration “On Latvian legionnaires in World War II” “The aim of soldiers who were drafted into the Legion or who joined it voluntary was to protect Latvia from the restoration of Stalin’s regime.” Report of US High Commissioner in Germany John McCloy of 13 April 1950 to US Secretary of State „they were not to be seen as "movements", "volunteer", or "SS." Myth: Latvian legionnaires participated in murders of Jews and are guilty of Holocaust crimes Fact: The formation of the Latvian legion began in March of 1943, when the Nazis had already eradicated nearly all of the Latvian Jewish population, therefore the participation of the Latvian legion in the Holocaust was impossible as such. All young Latvian men fit for service were recruited to the legion. Claiming that all men of a certain age are murderers contradicts common sense. Latvian legionnaire Kārlis Grīnerts saved several Latvians and Jews from the gestapo by instructing them what to say during interrogation. UK Foreign Office report of April 1946 to the commander of British armed forces in Germany tells, that “… cannot consider the citizens of the Baltic states war criminals or traitors when the only accusation is that they have fought against Soviet armed forces.” Myth: Latvian legionnaires supported Hitler Fact: Considering the crimes committed by both communists and Nazis in Latvia, it is safe to assume that Latvian legionnaires were opposed to both Hitler and Stalin, as evidenced by thousands of legionnaires' memories and legionnaire song lyrics. Declaration of US Displaced Persons Commission of September 1950 “The Baltic Waffen SS Units (Baltic Legions) are to be considered as separate and distinct in purpose, ideology, activities, and qualifications for membership from the German SS.” Myth: Latvian legionnaires were Nazis Fact: Only ethnic Germans could become members of the Nazi Party. The Latvian legionnaires prosecuted by the German war tribunal were imprisoned in the same Salaspils concentration camp that was used to hold Jews during the Holocaust in the first years of the German occupation. Myth: On 16 March, Nazism is being resurrected, people glorify Hitler and neo-Nazis march in the streets of Riga Fact: On 16 March, the old Latvian Legion soldiers and their supporters go with Latvian flags to the Freedom Monument to honour the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect Latvia from the Soviet occupation and communism. Myth: On 16 March, anti-fascists protest the glorification of Nazism Fact: The activities of Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and Anti-Nazism Union are supported by World Without Nazism – a movement sponsored by the Russian Federation and involved in the information war against the Baltic states. The leader of so called anti-fascist organizations of Latvia, Russian-speaking Josifs Korens is under the observation of Latvian Security Police as an agent of Russia’s compatriot policy. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the active legionnaire slanderer Vladimirs Lindermans for attempting to recruit people to the Ukrainian separatist cause. Tatjana Ždanoka, a former member of the Communist party, actively fought against Latvian independence from USSR occupation in the late 1980s. For 16 March 2015, Russia's Compatriot fund has allocated EUR 25,000 to cultivate the myth of resurrection of fascism in Latvia. Remember! ! Latvian legionnaires did not give the SS oath ! The Latvian Legion has never participated in the repressions against civilians ! The Latvian Legion has never fought in any ! battles against the Western Allies; it only fought against the USSR In 1945-46, the former Latvian legionnaires guarded the Nuremberg trials where Nazi leaders were tried THE LATVIAN LEGION in the Light of Truth Our fates shall meet again, Latvia, hold on, freedom shall come to you, so precious to us! One idea in our hearts - for Fatherland we stand. (lyrics from the anthem of the 19th Division of the Latvian Legion) As spoken by Latvian legionnaires… Oskars Baltputnis, Non-commissioned officer of the Latvian Legion, 19th Division, 44th Regiment, 8th Company Oļģerts Mentelis, Reconnaissance Officer of the Latvian Legion, 19th Division, Artillery Regiment 3rd Battalion, 7th Battery In the Courland Pocket Christmas battles of 1944, the Latvian legionnaires showed the true power of their love of homeland – there is no weapon as powerful as a man’s confidence that he is fighting for his land and his people. There were more than 140 thousand refugees from all over Latvia in Courland at the time, who would face persecution in case of a repeated Soviet occupation. By delaying the Red Army we gave them a chance to seek refuge abroad. We sang the national anthem at midnight of 31 December 1944; ever since that day I feel like bursting into tears whenever I sing the anthem… I was a student during the first Soviet occupation when in 1941 in Koknese I saw the first echelon of Latvian deportees to be sent to Siberia: the people were rounded up in cattle wagons. Among them I saw my Jewish classmate Frenkel, who called at me to bring him water. I brought a bucket of water from the train station but the Chekists took it from me and spilled it right in front of the thirsty prisoners... After the madness experienced in the Year of Horror, when I was drafted on 31 March 1943, it was clear: the Red Army must be banished! Latvian legionnaire Kārlis Grīnerts saved several Latvians and Jews from the gestapo by instructing them what to say during interrogation. Visvaldis Lācis, writer and historian, Platoon Leader, 19th Division, 44th Regiment The goal of the Latvian legionnaires was to re-establish an independent Latvian state. To reach that goal, it was necessary to help Germans defeat the Red Army before the Allies in Europe defeated the Germans. The goal was never reached as the Allies refused the principles set forth in the Atlantic Charter. Former legionnaires, wearing black uniforms with blue helmets and white belts, guarding Hermann Goering, Rudolf Hess and other top Nazis during the Nuremberg Trials
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