Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Jānis BIRZULIS

Discussions on the foreigners (volunteers as well as conscripts) fighting in the German Wehrmacht, those collaborating with the Axis and other period Far Right organizations. Hosted by George Lepre.
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VJK
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Posts: 4900
Joined: 07 Apr 2002, 16:50
Location: Riga, Latvia

Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Jānis BIRZULIS

#1

Post by VJK » 24 Mar 2008, 13:58

Phil requested a bio and pic of this officer.

Jānis BIRZULIS
Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
born: 7 Sep 1895 in Burtnieku parish
died: 28 Apr 1963 in Sydney, Australia

WWI service:
Sep 1915 - Jul 1916: Mobilised into the Russian Army, served in the 3. Guards Reserve Battalion
Jul 1916 - Dec 1916: Served in the Latvian Reserve Rifle Battalion
Dec 1916 - Nov 1917: Served in the 8. Valmiera Latvian Rifle Regiment
Nov 1917 - Feb 1918: Platoon commander, 8. Valmiera Latvian Rifle Regiment
Feb 1918: Released from active duty

Latvian Army service:
2 Jun 1919 - Jun 1919: Joined the Latvian Army, served in the Northern Latvia Brigade Reserve Battalion, later in the 3. Jelgava Infantry Regiment
Jun 1919 - 1923: Company commander, 3. Jelgava Infantry Regiment
1923 - 1930: Served in the Kommandantur of the Ministry of War
1930 - 1932: Commander of the Army General Staff Company
1932 - 1936: Served in the 4. Valmiera Infantry Regiment
1936 - Sep 1940: Battalion Commander, 4. Valmiera Infantry Regiment
Sep 1940: Transferred to the XXIV Territorial Rifle Corps and later released from active duty

Promotions:
Lieutenant: Aug 1917
1st Lieutenant:
Captain: Nov 1920
Lt. Colonel: 1936

WWII service:
1942 - 15 Jul 1943: Kdr. 273. Schuma Battalion
15 Jul 1943 - 11 Aug 1943:Kdr. 276 Schuma Battalion
11 Aug 1943 - Dec 1944: Kdr. IV Battalion, Lettische Freiwilligen Polizei Regiment 1 Riga
Dec 1944 - Jan 1945: Btl. Kdr., 1. Waffen-SS Gren. Regiment, Lett.Feldersatz-Depot
Jan 1945 - 1945: Btl. Kdr., Waffen-SS Gren. E-Rgt.1, Lett.Feldersatz-Depot

Latvian Awards:
Order of the Three Stars, V Class
Order of Viesturs, III Class with Swords

Other Awards:
Swedish Order of Sword, IV Class
Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, III Class with Swords
Russian Order of St. Anne, IV Class with Swords
German Kriegsverdienstkreuz

Married in 1930 to Alma Augstmane, sons Aldis Jānis (born 1934), Ivars Andris (born 1937).

Best regards,

VJK
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Phil Don
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Posts: 628
Joined: 15 Oct 2005, 20:07
Location: France

Re: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Jānis BIRZULIS

#2

Post by Phil Don » 24 Mar 2008, 14:57

Thanks VJK

Phil.


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