Schuma-Bataillon 20

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Phil Don
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Schuma-Bataillon 20

#1

Post by Phil Don » 18 May 2009, 14:38

Hi
I'm looking for info on this latvian Schuma-Bataillon.
During its existence I have as commander Oberstleutnant der Schutzmannschaft Peteris UZANS.
Is someone have info on his deployment, and I'm looking for the bio / pic of Oberstleutnant Peteris UZANS.
Regards
Phil D.

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VJK
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Joined: 07 Apr 2002, 16:50
Location: Riga, Latvia

Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#2

Post by VJK » 19 May 2009, 22:10

Hi Phil!

20. Schutzmannschafts Bataillon:
Formed on 4 September 1941. Named 2. Riga Schutzmannschafts Bataillon on 23 September 1941 and renamed 20. (Riga) Schutzmannschafts Bataillon on 5 January 1942. Transferred to the Lettische Freiwilligen Polizei Regiment 1 Riga as IV Bataillon on 19 November 1944.

Commander:
4 Sep 1941 - 4 Dec 1941: Hauptmann Kārlis Porietis
4 Dec 1941 - 13 Jan 1942: Hauptmann K. Bēms
13 Jan 1942 - 11 Mar 1942: Hauptmann Kārlis Porietis
11 Mar 1942 - Oct 1942: Hauptmann Oskars Tiltiņš
Oct 1942- Sep 1944: Oberstleutnant Pēteris Užāns
Sep 1944 - 19 Nov 1944: Hauptmann O. Šeturiņš

The battalion remained as a reserve unit throughout it's existance, initially based in Riga guarding the bridges over the River Daugava, the port and various warehouses. On 10 October 1944, the battalion was evacuated to Liepaja and on 25 October 1944 was transported to Danzig together with the Insp. Gen. of the Legion, Gruf. Bangerskis and his staff. On 30 October 1944, the battalion was moved to Pappau, then after a few days to Breitenthal, and further on to Kirchweg-Gurske. Here the battalion was transferred to the Lettische Freiwilligen Polizei Regiment 1 Riga and ended it's existance.

I will post a pic and bio of Užāns tomorrow.

Best regards as always,

VJK
Last edited by VJK on 20 May 2009, 15:46, edited 1 time in total.


Phil Don
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Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#3

Post by Phil Don » 20 May 2009, 11:34

Many thanks VJK.

I knew it was evacued with members of generalinspektion and Gal. Bangerskis but I was thinking it was dissolve for serving reinforcement to 15 Waf.Gren.Div. der SS after its arrival. The site (lacplesis.com) is different if we choose its english or latvian version. In the english one it speak about reinforcement of the division in november and into the latvian one about the latvian police regiment but I was thinking I could make an error in translation. Into the english version it was the 276. Kuldigas kd. battalion wich became the IV/Pol Rgt).
If the battalion come as IV° of the police regiment, didn't this regiment dissolve a few days (or weeks) later into the Lett. Feldersatz Depot ?

Do you know if Hauptmann O. Šeturiņš, the last 20 battalion commander became IV° battalion commander into police regiment (I have Janis BIRZULIS, former 276 battalion commander, as commander of the IV) and later member of the Lett. Feldersatz Depot ?

Best regards

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VJK
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Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#4

Post by VJK » 20 May 2009, 14:22

Hi Phil!

I’ve done some further research into the question re the fate of the 20. Schuma Btl.

O.Freivalds (ed) "Latviešu karavirs otra pasaules kaŗa laikā Vol 2" states that the 276. Kuldigas Schuma Btl. was incorporated into “Lettische Freiwilligen Polizei Regiment 1 Riga” as the IV Btl. on 11 August 1943, J. Birzulis commanding. This Battalion was all but wiped out in the battles around Vilnius in July 1944, only 6 officers (incl. Birzulis) and 42 men survived the breakout from the encirclement. The Regiment was re-organised in August 1944 with 3 battalions. Transferred to Germany at the beginning of October 1944, on 15 October the Regiment was formally incorporated into the 15. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr. 1). On 26 October 1944, the Regiment was renamed Waffen Gren. Rgt. der SS „Riga”. The 20. Schuma Btl. was then incorporated into the Regiment as the IV Btl. on 19 November 1944.
Unfortunately, I have record of whether Šeturiņš remained as Btl. commander.

Here, as promised is the pic and bio of Užāns.

Pēteris UŽĀNS

born: 18 February 1890 in Skujene parish
died: 5 October 1955 in Vorkuta, USSR

WWI service:
Jul 1914 - Jun 1917: Graduated from the Kazan Military Academy, served in the 3. Vladivostok Fortress Artillery Reg.
Jun 1917 - Apr 1918: Transferred to the 43. Mortar Artillery Battalion
Apr 1918: Released from active duty
October 1918 - Aug 1920: Mobilised into the Red Army, battery commander, 2. Ind. Heavy Artillery Battalion, later Battalion Intendant
Aug 1920: Released from active duty

Latvian Army service:
22 Sep 1920 - Dec 1920: Joined the Latvian Army as a 1st Lieutenant, served in the 1. Coastal Battery
Dec 1920 - 1921: served in the Daugavgriva Artillery
1921 - 1922: Battery commander, Daugavgriva Artillery
1922 - 1925: Group Leader, Officers Courses
1925 - 1927: Battalion commander, Latgale Artillery Regiment
1927 - 1936: served in the Armoured Train Regiment, later as Intendant
1936 - Feb 1940: Train commander, Armoured Train Regiment, repeatedly acting Regiment commander
Feb 1940 - Mar 1940: Battalion comander, Latgale Artillery Regiment
Mar 1940: Released from active duty

Promotions:
Lieutenant: Jul 1914
1st Lieutenant: Oct 1917
Captain: 1922
Lt. Colonel: 1924

WWII service:
Oct 1942 - Sep 1944: Commander, 20. Riga Schuma Battalion
Sep 1944: Released from active duty due to ill health

Arrested in June 1945, sentenced to 20 years hard labour in December 1945. Sent to the Vorkuta Penal camps, where he died.

Latvian Awards:
Order of the Three Stars, IV Class
Order of Viesturs, III Class

Other Awards:
Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, III Class
Russian Order of St. Anne, III Class
Russian Cross of St. George, IV Class

Married in 1921 to Elza Sarkane, adopted a son, Indulis in 1931.


Best regards,

VJK
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Last edited by VJK on 20 May 2009, 15:47, edited 1 time in total.

radevich
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Location: Minsk, Belarus

Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#5

Post by radevich » 20 May 2009, 14:55

Many thanks VJK.

Your information as always full and interesting.

And there is an information on other commanders of this battalion?

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VJK
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Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#6

Post by VJK » 20 May 2009, 15:52

Hi!

This is all I have on the other Btl. commanders:

Oskars Tiltiņš

born: 24 April 1897 in Dreilinu parish
died:

Major d. Schupo

11 Mar 1942 - Oct 1942: Kdr. 20 Schuma Btl.
4 Jan 1943 - 25 Jan 1943: Kdr. 279 Schuma Btl.
9 Feb 1943 - ?: Kdr. 266-E Schuma Btl.
10 May 1944 - 8 May 1945: Kdr. 319-F Schuma Btl.

EKII: 8 Aug 1944

Please note that I have corrected an earlier typo on my part - Užāns took over command of the 20. Schuma Btl from Tiltiņš in October 1942, not 1943.

Best regards,

VJK

Phil Don
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Location: France

Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#7

Post by Phil Don » 20 May 2009, 18:25

Hi VJK and radevich

Oskars Tiltiņš is dead 4th july 1980. Here a pic.
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Phil Don
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Location: France

Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#8

Post by Phil Don » 20 May 2009, 18:37

Great info VJK because it's the first time I heard speaking about Waf. Gren. Rgt. der SS "Riga". Did this regiment exists for a long time (to the end of war) or did it was dissolve and its personnels "distributed" into all the divisional units ?
I suppose its commander was Ostubaf MEIJA as last commander of the Lett.Freiw.Pol.Rgt.1 "Riga". Am I right ?

Regards

Phil D.

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VJK
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Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#9

Post by VJK » 21 May 2009, 12:03

Hi Phil!

Many thanks for the additional info on Tiltiņš - I completely forgot to check in my LKO holders book. As a result, I have compiled a more detailed bio of him. I’ve also compiled a bio of K. Porietis.

Regarding Waf. Gren. Rgt. der SS "Riga", it is quite difficult to get a clear picture. From what I have been able to find out, Meija remained in command and at the end of November 1944, the Regiment was renamed “1. Waffen-SS Grenadier Regiment” (together with the 2. and 3. W-SS Gren. Reg. they made up the Waffen-SS Lettisches Feldersatz Depot under Oberführer Martin). According to a report submitted by Meija to Gruf. Bangerskis, in mid-January 1945 the 1. and 2. Regiment were combined to make up the “Waffen-SS Grenadier E-Regiment 1.”, which Meija commanded until 18 Feb 1945 when he handed command over to the Regiment’s German Liaison Officer, Stubaf. Zill. The remnants of the Regiment retreated to Schwerin and surrendered to Anglo-American forces on 2 May 1945.

Oskars TILTIŅŠ
Major der Schupo

born: 24 April 1897 in Dreilinu parish
died: 4 July 1980 in Kocenu parish

WWI service:
? - 15 Jan 1918: served in the Latvian Reserve Rifle Regiment
15 Jan 1918 - May 1919: mobilised into the Red Army
May 1919: Deserted and crossed over to the Latvian lines

Latvian Army service:
10 Jun 1919 - 1929: Joined the Latvian Army as a Lieutenant, served in the 5. Cesis Infantry Regiment
1929 - 1932: served in the 8. Daugavpils Infantry Regiment
1932 - 1934: served in the Armoured Train Regiment
1934 - Jun 1934: served in the 4. Valmiera Infantry Regiment
Jun 1934: Released from active duty

Promotions:
Lieutenant:
1st Lieutenant:
Captain: 1926
Major der Schupo:

WWII service:
11 Mar 1942 - Oct 1942: Kdr. 20 Schuma Btl.
4 Jan 1943 - 25 Jan 1943: Kdr. 279 Schuma Btl.
9 Feb 1943 - ?: Kdr. 266-E Schuma Btl.
10 May 1944 - 8 May 1945: Kdr. 319-F Schuma Btl.

After the war was sent to a filtration camp in Cherepovets, where he was arrested on 26 April 1946. Tried and sentenced to 10 years hard labour.

Latvian Awards:
Order of the Bearslayer

Other Awards:
EKII: 8 Aug 1944
-------------------------------------------
Kārlis PORIETIS
Hauptmann der Schupo

born: 9 Sep 1900 in Sunakste parish
died: 28 Feb 1975 in Adelaide, Australia

Latvian Army service:
1919 - 1920: Joined the Latvian Army, served in the 6. Riga Infantry Regiment, later in the 7. Sigulda Infantry Regiment.
1920 - 1922: Attended the Military Academy, Engineer Faculty
1922 - 1924: served in the Electro-Technical Battalion
1924 - 1928: Chief of Communications, Latgale Division
1928 - 1931: served in the Electro-Technical Battalion
1931 - 1934: served in the Intelligence Dept., Army General Staff
1934 - 1937: Deputy Chief of Radio Section, Army General Staff
1937 - 1939: attended the Supreme Military Academy
1939 - Oct 1940: Deputy Chief of Radio Section, Army General Staff
Oct 1940: Released from active duty

WWII service:
4 Sep 1941 - 4 Dec 1941: Commander, 20. Riga Schuma Battalion
4 Dec 1941 - 13 Jan 1942:
13 Jan 1942 - 11 Mar 1942: Commander, 20. Riga Schuma Battalion

Best regards,

VJK
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Porietis K.jpg
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radevich
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Location: Minsk, Belarus

Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#10

Post by radevich » 21 May 2009, 12:56

Thank for the interesting information.

Can be eat the same information on anothers Schuma Bataillons?

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

Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#11

Post by Phil Don » 21 May 2009, 12:59

Thanks Valdis for the additional info on Regiment Riga. If I'm right, Stubag ZILL is Egon ZILL correct ? After he serve at the creation of the 31 SS Div as battalion commander I was ignorant where he was at the beginning of 1945.

If you agree we can continue the study of latvian Schuma battalions into the Latvian Legion sticky.

Regards

Phil D.

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VJK
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Location: Riga, Latvia

Re: Schuma Bataillon 20

#12

Post by VJK » 17 Sep 2019, 16:41

I can now post an update on the Latvian Army service of Pēteris Užāns:

Pēteris UŽĀNS

Latvian Army service:
22.IX.1920 - 17.XII.1920: Joined the Latvian Army as a 1st Lieutenant, served in the 1. Coastal Battery
17.XII.1920 - 1.X.1921: served in the Daugavgriva Artillery
1.X.1921 - 14.I.1922: Commander, 1. Coastal Battery, Daugavgriva Artillery
14.I.1922 - 5.XI.1925: Group Leader, Officers Courses
11.XI.1925 - 15.X.1927: Commander, I Battalion, Latgale Artillery Regiment
2.XI.1927 - 27.X.1928: Commander, I Battalion, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
27.X.1928 - 20.I.1932: Intendant, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
23.I.1932 - 27.X.1932: Commander, II Battalion, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
1.XI.1932 - 1.IV.1933: Intendant, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
1.IV.1933 - 19.V.1933: Commander, I Battalion, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
20.V.1933 - 17.XI.1933: Attended Artillery Officers course
21.XI.1933 - 19.II.1934: Commander, I Battalion, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
19.II.1934 - 5.VII.1934: Temporary member of the Military Tribunal
6.VII.1934 - 2.VIII.1936: Commander, I Battalion, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
2.VIII.1936 - 8.IX.1936: Sick leave
8.IX.1936 - 5.X.1936: Commander, I Battalion, Vidzeme Artillery Regiment
19.X.1936 - 1.X.1938: Commander, II Armoured Train, Armoured Train Regiment
1.X.1938 - 14.VIII.1939: Acting Commander, Armoured Train Regiment
14.VIII.1939 - 5.XI.1939: Commander, II Armoured Train, Armoured Train Regiment
5.XI.1939 - 20.II.1940: Acting Commander, Armoured Train Regiment
27.II.1940 - 28.III.1940: Commander, I Battalion, Latgale Artillery Regiment
28.III.1940: Released from active duty

Promotions:
Captain: 1922
Lt. Colonel: 18 Nov 1924

Kind regards,

VJK

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