Soon we will celebrate 100 years since proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, the Latvian War of Independence and its first battle, which took place at Inčukalns on December 31, 2018. In this battle four Latvian civil guards companies (namely, about 400 soldiers), the most part of which were the youngsters of Riga gymnasiums and also other volunteers without military experience, confronted two Soviet army regiments. Notwithstanding the Soviet army experience and numerical superiority, the Latvian civil guards in fierce battles held back Inčukalns for two days until finally at the evening of January 1, 1919, in order to avoid the siege, they were forced to pull back, thus loosing 43 fallen as well as several wounded mostly of whom were captured by Bolsheviks and later were killed.
However, despite of this loss the Latvian War of Independence ended successfully for Latvia. Gradually till the beginning of 1920 the whole territory of Latvia was liberated and on August 11, 1920 the peace treaty was concluded between the Republic of Latvia and Soviet Russia, stipulating that Russia unconditionally recognizes the Latvian national independence, autonomy and sovereignty and voluntarily and forever renounces all sovereign rights held by Russia in relation to the Latvian people and the land. At the same time it must be admitted that it is extremely little known in contemporary Latvian society about this battle at Inčukalns as well as about fact, that it was the first battle for our own country and also a noteworthy example of courage and patriotism. Even all names of fallen civil guards are not known only a few. “From the 1st civil guard company the following were fallen: Francs Brinks, Adalberts Drevings and Verners Lavrinovičs; were wounded: Dāvis Grūbe, V. fon Boetičers; was missing Oskars Strauts. From the 2nd civil guard company: Gustavs Bernsdorfs was fallen. Wounded Himillers, wounded and is missing Herberts Šlesers" – notified the scanty ranks in Kurzeme newspapers in first days of January, 1919. (Artis Buks)”. Therefore, the public need a reminder about this battle and the civil guards killed in it. To implement this reminder it is intended to establish a memorial next to Inčukalns railway station by installing a stone plate (a memorial pillar) with the following text in Latvian, German and Russian: "On December 31, 1918 at this place the first battle of Latvian War of Independent took place. Four civil guard companies came up against the predominance of the Red army. 43 Baltic German, Latvian and Russian soldiers devoted their lives for their homeland. Eternal remembrance for the heroes and peace for the fallen. In order to implement this idea EUR 3,442.00 are required.
To find more about the said battle, please, read the article: Artis Buks. The first blood for Latvia (in Latvian, see: http://vesture.sauc.lv/index.php/raksti/baltija/11-pirmas-asinis-par-latviju ).
The Project is realized by the Association "Latvijas Dabas un Pieminekļu aizsardzības biedrība"
The Project is placed online on: 29.10.2014
Project completed 31.12.2016
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