The Latvian Legion Apr 2026

For many Latvians, the Legion was viewed as a "lesser evil" compared to the Soviet Union, which had brutally occupied and annexed Latvia in 1940.

The was a national military formation within the German Waffen-SS, established in 1943 during the Nazi occupation of Latvia. Comprising primarily of the 15th and 19th Waffen Grenadier Divisions, it remains one of the most complex and debated legacies of World War II in the Baltic region. Historical Context: The "Devil's Pact" The Latvian Legion

: While officially named a "Volunteer Legion" to circumvent international laws against drafting occupied populations, roughly 80–85% of members were actually conscripted . For many Latvians, the Legion was viewed as

: The 15th Division was famously the most decorated non-German Waffen-SS unit. Elements of the Legion were among the last Axis forces to surrender, holding the "Courland Pocket" until the very end of the war in May 1945. The Latvian Legion: the Most Topical Research Problems Historical Context: The "Devil's Pact" : While officially

: Many soldiers joined or were conscripted with the hope of restoring Latvian independence, drawing inspiration from the 1918–1920 War of Independence where they fought off both Bolshevik and German forces.