Let's Build the Latvian Legion

[VJK]

Here is an updated version of SS-Artillerie Regiment 15 (lett. Nr. 1):

SS-Artillerie Regiment 15 (lett. Nr. 1):
Formed as Artillerie Regiment 15 der 15. (lett.) SS-Freiw. Division from Artillerie-Regiment Mitau on 7 June 1943. Renamed SS-Artillerie Regiment 15 (lett. Nr. 1) on 22 October 1943.

Kdr.:
7 Jun 1943 - 1944: Waffen-Oberführer Voldemārs Skaistlauks
1944 - 8 Sep 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Nikolajs Katiševs
8 Sep 1944 - May 1945: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Kārlis Rēbergs

Adjutant:
7 Jun 1943 - 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Kristaps Insbergs
1944 - 20 Oct 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Egons Eglīte
20 Oct 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Boriss Matizens
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Hermanis Gūtmanis

IVB:
Waffen-Obersturmführer Voldemārs Jansons

IVC:
Waffen-Obersturmführer Edgars Timrots

Staff Battery:
Jun 1943 - 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Paulis Švarcbachs
1944 - 15 Aug 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Alfrēds Āboliņš
15 Aug 1944 - ? : Waffen-Obersturmführer Kalniņš

I Abteilung:
Kdr.:
Jul 1943 - 14 Jan 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Eduards Griķis
14 Jan 1944 - Jul 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Karlis Rēbergs
Jul 1944 - 29 Jan 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Aleksandrs Mateass
29 Jan 1945 - 3 Feb 1945†: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Egons Eglīte
3 Feb 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Tūte

Adjutant:
1944 - 20 Oct 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Boriss Matizens
20 Oct 1944 - ? : Waffen-Obersturmführer Elmārs Ģērmanis

Orders Officer:
Waffen-Obersturmführer Aleksandrs Siliņš

III:
Waffen-Untersturmführer Arnolds Šteinbergs

IVA:
Waffen-Untersturmführer Frīdrichs Elaus

IVB:
Waffen-Obersturmführer Tālivaldis Kisle

IVB:
Waffen-Untersturmführer Olģerts Freidenbergs

1. Battery
Waffen-Obersturmführer Artūrs Plūme
20 Oct 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Egons Eglīte
1944 - 3 Feb 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Tūte
3 Feb 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Rudaks

2. Battery
1944 - 10 Feb 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Artūrs Plūme
10 Feb 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Artūrs Puriņš

3. Battery
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Ernests Keselis
9 Feb 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Piksis

Staff Battery
? - 15 Aug 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Arnolds Vīksne
15 Aug 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Alfrēds Āboliņš
1944 - 9 Feb 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Grosbergs

II Abteilung:
Kdr.:
Jul 1943 - ? : Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Edgars Bērziņš
Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Nikolajs Katiševs
1944 - ? : Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Eduards Ozoliņš
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Osvalds Korps
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Eduards Strauts

IVB:
Waffen-Obersturmführer Tālivaldis Kisle

IVC:
Waffen-Obersturmführer Pēteris Miervaldis Grīnbergs

4. Battery
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Eduards Strauts

5. Battery
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Ernests Legzdiņš

6. Battery
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Ernests Zenķis
Waffen-Obersturmführer Pēteris Ūbelis

III Abteilung:
Kdr.:
31 Jul 1943 - ? : Waffen-Sturmbannführer Alfreds Liniņš
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Ernests Keselis
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Osvalds Strauts

III:
Waffen-Sturmscharführer Čikste

7. Battery
? - 15 Aug 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Pēteris Šreiberis
15 Aug 1944 - ? : Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Arnolds Vīksne
Waffen-Obersturmführer Lielkājs

8. Battery
Waffen-Obersturmführer Arvīds Kants

9. Battery
Waffen-Untersturmführer Valdis Knoks

Staff Battery
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Vilis Alfreds Ziemelis

IV Abteilung:
Kdr.:
1943 - 1943: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Paulis Švarcbachs
Jul 1943 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Jēkabs Šēls
12 Dec 1944 - 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Kārlis Velmers

10. Battery
Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Pauls Purmalis
SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Blasé
Waffen-Obersturmführer Arturs Vītoliņš

12. Battery
1944 - 9 Feb 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Piksis

Best regards,

VJK

[Phil Don]

Hi Valdis

Many informations for updating my files.

For Hstuf hermanis MUNCIS, I have him at the head of the first battalion but maybe my files were wrong.
For the new 15 Art Rgt, I have an Ostuf Roberts KALNINS (born 27/06/1897) serving at the 15th division. Can he be "Ostuf KALNINS" chief of the staff battery?

Can I ask you if you have bio/pic of some battalion's commanders for whom I have very few:
Stubaf Peteris KVALBERGS and Hstufs Janis GRUNTE, Arnolds VILKS, Augusts SUNA and Hermanis MUNCIS.

On a latvian military site, I've found info on some officers of the latvian legion but I don't have them in my files or in books I have. Here the info I have and an extract from their bio (in latvian, here my problem):

I’ve found a certain leitnantu Janis Petera KALNINS (22/02/1898 – 08/02/1975 in Germany). He serve at the 1 Lett.Freiw.Pol.Rgt.
« 2. pasaules kara laikā iesaukts latv. leģionā. Paaugst. par leitnantu, iedalīts 1. Rīgas policijas pulkā. »
Do you have info if he had SS rank or only polizei one.

I’ve found a Leitnantu Karlis HEINRICHSONS-INDRIKSONS (14/08/1895 – 03/11/1978 in USA). I suppose he serve in the latvian legion.
« Bārtas bataljonā, vēlāk pārgājis dienēt uz latv. leģionu, no kura atvaļināts slimības dēļ. 1944. g. beigās devies uz Vāciju. »

Janis MAZURS (20/03/1887 – 1963)
« 2. pasaules kara laikā dienējis latv. policijas bataljonā, vēlāk no 1943. g. apr. latv. leģiona 19. divīzijas transporta rotas komandieris, virsleitnants. »
I understand he serve at the 19 division surely as Ostuf but he’s not listed by John P. Moore. Am I right ?

Leitnant Otto MILLERS (12/03/1898 – 01/01/1977 ?)
« 1940.-1941. g., vairīdamies no represijām, slēpies, strādājies kādā kokzāģētavā. 1941-1944. g. policijas dienestā, pēc tam iesaukts latv. leģionā, iedalīts būvbataljonā (pulkā) Tornā. »
Did he was Ustuf and do you know his post in latvian legion.

Many thanks for your help

Regards

Phil D.

[VJK]

Hi Phil,

John P. Moore has Muncis as CO of the I Battalion, but Kovtunenko in his book states that Muncis was his Batt. CO when he (Kovtunenko) was appointed CO of the 7. Kp. As regards Roberts KALNIŅŠ, this is a common surname, so it is impossible to say whether it is the same person.

I'll try and put something together for the Battalion COs you mention, though I don't think there will be very much unfortunately.

Jānis KALNIŅŠ - At the end of the war he was serving in a Bau Regiment at Thorn, so I presume he was an Ustuf.

Kārlis HEINRICHSONS-INDRIKSONS - served in the 28. Schuma Btl., but later transferred to the Latvian Legion.

Juris (not Jānis) MAZURS - Ostuf., CO of the 19. Division Transport Kp.

Otto MILLERS - Ustuf., served in a Bau Regiment at Thorn.

Best regards,

VJK

[Phil Don]

Thanks for all Valdis

Phil D.

[VJK]

Pēteris KVĀLBERGS
Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
born: 4 May 1907 in Libagu parish
died: 1 Dec 1968

Promotions:
Hauptsturmführer: 30 Jan 1945
Sturmbannführer: 1945

WWII service:
12 Nov 1943 - ? : Adjutant, SS-Freiwillige Grenadier Regiment 40 (lett. Nr. 2)
? - ? : Kdr., II Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 44 (lett.Nr.6)
24 Jan 1945 - 1945: Kdr., I Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 44 (lett.Nr.6)

Other Awards:
EK I: 20 May 1944
EK II:

VJK

[VJK]

Jānis GRUNTE
Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS
born: 9 Jan 1907
died: 11 Jul 1944 (KIA)

WWII service:
? - Jan 1944: Chef, 3. Kp., 17. Schuma Battalion
Jan 1944 - 11 Jul 1944: Kdr., I Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 44 (lett.Nr.6)

VJK

[VJK]

Augusts SŪNA
Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS
born: 30 Aug 1907 in Krustpils parish
died: 4 Aug 1944 (KIA )

WWII service:
Dec 1941 - Jan 1944: Chef, 2. Kp., 17. Schuma Battalion
Jan 1944 - 1944: Kdr., III Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 44 (lett.Nr.6)
1944 - 4 Aug 1944: Chef, 3 Kp., I/Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 44 (lett.Nr.6)

Other Awards:
EK II: 14 Feb 1944

VJK

[VJK]

Arnolds VILKS
Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS
born: 18 Sep 1906 in Konu parish
died: 8 Apr 1944 (KIA )

WWII service:
Dec 1941 - Jan 1944: Jan 1944: Chef, 3. Kp., 17. Schuma Battalion
Jan 1944 - 8 Apr 1944: Kdr., II Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 44 (lett.Nr.6)

Other Awards:
EK II: 18 Mar 1944

VJK

[VJK]

Hermanis MUNCIS
Hauptsturmführer der Waffen-SS
born: 6 Dec 1904 in Riga
died:

Promotions:
Hauptsturmführer: 30 Jan 1945

WWII service:
1945 - 1945: Kdr., II Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 43 (lett.Nr.2)

No other info or picture available, unfortunately.

VJK

[Phil Don]

Thanks Valdis

Phil D.

[Phil Don]

Here what I have about the artillery regiment of the 19th division. I have a doubt on his name: SS Artillerie Regiment 19 or Waffen Artillerie Regiment der SS 19.

Kdr:
Ostubaf Indriķis JURKO
Ostubaf Voldemārs GRĀVELIS

Stabsbatterie

I Abteilung
Hstuf Gerhard MAY (german)
Hstuf Jānis JAUNSILS
Stubaf Hugo TREIJS
Hstuf Janis JAUNZEMS

Stabsbatterie
?

1 Batterie
Ostuf Hugo TREIJS

2 Batterie
Hstuf Janis OZOLS

3 Batterie
Hstuf Karlis VELMERS

II Abteilung :
Stubaf Voldemārs GRĀVELIS
Stubaf Kristaps INSBERGS

Stabsbatterie
?

4 Batterie
?

5 Batterie
?

6 Batterie
?

III Abteilung :
Stubaf Jānis OZOLS

Stabsbatterie
?

7 Batterie
Ostuf Jānis GURA

8 Batterie
?

9 Batterie
?

IV Abteilung :
Stubaf Karlis VELMERS

Stabsbatterie
?

10 Batterie
?

11 Batterie
?

12 Batterie
Hstuf Janis PIKSIS


Regards

Phil D.

[VJK]

Hi Don!

Unfortunately there is very little information available about this Regiment - what I have is almost exactly the same as you. As regards Hstuf Janis JAUNZEMS, whilst John P. Moore shows him as commanding the I Abteilung in March 1945, the commander at the time was actually Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Jaunsils according to the "Auszug aus der Kommandeurstellenbesetzungsliste (Stand 31.3.1945), herausgeben vom Personalhauptamt-Personalamt der Waffen-SS Amt VIII/I)". As regards the designation of the Regiment, again there is some lack of clear information - some sources show SS Artillerie Regiment 19 (lett. Nr. 2), whilst the document I quote above shows the abbreviation "W.Art.Rgt. 19" which to me would indicate Waffen Artillerie Regiment der SS 19.

SS-Artillerie Regiment 19 (lett. Nr. 2):
Formed as the Artillerie Ausbildungs-Regiment on 17 March 1944 from the Artillerie Ausbildungs-Abteilung. Renamed SS-Artillerie Regiment 19 (lett. Nr. 2) in June 1944.

Kdr.:Mar 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Indriķis Jurko
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Valdemārs Grāvelis

IVA:
May 1943 - ? : SS-Obersturmführer Richard Broich

I Abteilung:
Kdr.:
1944 - 1944: SS- Hauptsturmführer Gerhard May
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Jaunsils

1. Battery
1944 - 1945: Waffen- Sturmbannführer Hugo Edgars Treijs

2. Battery
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jānis Ozols

3. Battery
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Kārlis Velmers


II Abteilung:
Kdr.:
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Valdemārs Grāvelis
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Kristaps Insbergs


III Abteilung:
Kdr.:
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jānis Ozols


IV Abteilung:
Disbanded in October 1944.

Kdr.:
1944 - Oct 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Kārlis Velmers

12. Battery
1944 - Oct 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Piksis

Best regards,

VJK

[Phil Don]

Hi Valdis

It's real that we are very poor on this unit. I think that the name was Waf. Art. Rgt. der SS 19. It's logical with the name of the other regiments of the division.
I notice the approaching names of the two Hstuf Jānis Jaunsils and Janis Jaunzems and I think now they are the same person.
I don' t remember where but I've read that Stubaf Treijs had commanded the I/Art 19 at the beginning of 1945 so why I locate him at this post.

Do you know the date of death of Hstuf Jaunsils and Stubaf Treijs and do you have a pic of them.

Friendly

Phil D.

[VJK]

Hi Phil!

Sorry, no DoD, just a pic of Jaunsils.

Best regards,

VJK

[Phil Don]

In the book of Roger BENDER and Hugh Page TAYLOR on Waffen SS (volume 5) theses troops were regrouped into a Lettische SS Freiwilligen Nachschub Regiment 19. So I keep these name.

Kdr
Stubaf Karlis VAHLHEIMS

1 Kraftfahr Kompanie
Ostuf Juris MAZURS

1 Fahrschwadron

2 Fahrschwadron

Werkstatt Kompanie

Nachschub Kompanie

1 Fahrkolonne

2 Fahrkolonne

3 Fahrkolonne


In a former topic with VJK we talk about the commanding officer, Stubaf Kārlis VALHEIMS, who was unknown of him. Even if a doubt exist, I keep him in my files because I have a date of birth ( 20/07/1897). The name of the commanders of the sub-units of the Nachschubstruppen 19 are totally unknown of me except Ostuf MAZURS.

Best regards

Phil D.