Latvian Legion
The Latvian Legion (Latvian: Latviešu leģions) was a formation of the Nazi German Waffen-SS during World War II. Created in 1943, it consisted primarily of ethnic Latvians. The legion consisted of two divisions of the Waffen-SS: the 15th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Latvian), and the 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian). The 15th Division was administratively subordinated to the VI SS Corps, but operationally it was in reserve or at the disposal of the XXXXIII Army Corps, 16th Army, Army Group North. The 19th Division held out in the Courland Pocket until May 1945, the close of World War II, when it was among the last of Nazi Germany's forces to surrender.
| Latvian Legion of the Waffen-SS | |
|---|---|
Arm Shield | |
| Active | January 1943 – 1945 |
| Country | Latvia |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch |
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 87,550 men as of July 1, 1944; with another 23,000 men as Wehrmacht auxiliaries |
| Motto(s) | Dievs, svētī Latviju! ("God bless Latvia!") |
| Colors | Latvian national colors |
| March | Zem mūsu kājām lielceļš balts ("White Road under our feet"), Trīnīte |
| Engagements | Eastern Front (World War II)
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch Hinrich Schuldt Friedrich-Wilhelm Bock Carl Friedrich von Pückler-Burghauss Rūdolfs Bangerskis Kārlis Lobe Voldemārs Veiss Arvīds Krīpens Voldemārs Skaistlauks Augusts Apsītis-Apse Vilis Janums |
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