19. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS Lettische

In February 1944, the 2nd SS Latvian Brigade was expanded into divisional strength forming the "19. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS Lettische Nr 2." The division was composed of: 329 Officers, 1421 NCO's, and 8842 other ranks. In spring 1944, the 19th SS Division and their sister 15th SS Division were placed under VI SS Corps as part of 18th German Army in northern Russia. A new Soviet offensive was launched in July 1944, against its sister 15th SS Division. The remnants of the 15th was withdrawn while the 19th SS Division was left together with the 15th SS Artillery Regiment to defend the northern perimeter between Riga and Madona, Latvia.

Still under the direction of VI SS Corps, the 19th SS Division was ordered to cross the west bank of the River Daugava (which cut through Riga in the northwest). By 12 October 1944, the last defenders had evacuated Riga, and the last two bridges across the River Daugava were blown. By October 19, the Soviet forces had taken controlled of Riga and the final phase of the war in Latvia. The 19th SS Division retreated towards the Courland peninsula. By December, the Soviets succeeded in gaining only 16 Square-kms of territory but at a terrible cost of loosing over fifty divisions. The 19th SS Division alone had accounted for the destruction of ten Soviet Infantry Divisions and entire Armored Corps.

By January 1945, the Germans withdrew seven divisions from Courland to defend the German Reich, leaving 25 divisions to hold a 161kms front line in Latvia. The 19th SS Division remained in "Fortress Courland" engaging Soviet forces until the end of the war. Most of the surviving Latvians surrendered to Soviet forces, and were subsequently sent to Siberia and probably executed. The division went through five commanders. The last commander was SS-Generalleutnant Bruno Streckenbach from 19 May 1944 to 8 May 1945.

Latvian 19th Waffen-Grenadier Division Feldpost

Feldpost cover dated March 1944, by now the brigade was reformed into the Latvian 19th SS Volunteer Division. Sender shows FPN 15205C (1st. Gren. Rgt., 2nd. Btl., 3rd. Co.). This FPN was formerly assigned to the SCHUMA Unit 19.

Feldpost numbers assigned to the 19th Latvian Waffen-Grenadier Division

The Latvian 2nd SS Brigade was reformed which included two training regiments. In January 1944 the brigade was transform into the 19th Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS. The 19th SS Division was given the Tactical no. SS-19 and Kenn no. 350. The following Feldpost numbers were added:

2nd Latvian SS Brigade Feldpost

Feldpost mailed by a Latvian in the MotorWorks Repair Platoon of the 2nd Latvian SS Brigade, FPN 47466. Cover shows a postage due of 18Rpf.

VI Waffen-Armeekorps der SS Lettische

In order to control the Latvian Divisions of the Waffen-SS, a Latvian SS Army Corps was established in October 1943. Personnel came from the IV SS Panzer Corps (which had absorbed the VII SS Panzer Corps) and the "Artillerie Kommandeur (ARKO)" of the VII SS Corps. This Corps composed of German personnel was organized and trained in Grafenwohr. In January 1944 the designated "VI Waffen-Armeekorps der SS Lettische" was responsible in coordinating the efforts of both Latvian Divisions in holding the southern sector of the "Panther Line" a defensive perimeter under the 18th German Army. In late March 1944 near Ostrov, Soviet forces attacked and virtually destroyed the 15th SS Latvian Division. The German units were forced to withdraw to Latvia. The remnants of both Latvian Divisions retreated across toward Riga. In October 1944, Riga fell to the Russian forces and the VI SS Corps was forced to form part of the Courland defense until the end of the war.

The following feldpost numbers were assigned to the VI Waffen-Armeekorps der SS Lettische:

Staff Corps---------------------------------------------------01800

Staff Art. HQ--------------------------------------------------10887*

Signal Corps Unit 106, Staff (1-2 Co.)-----------------11579

Transp. Battr. 106----------------------------------------------04793**

Military Police 106------------------------------------------59973

Repair Shop Co. 106----------------------------------------67463

Anti-aircraft Battr.-------------------------------------------20258

Medic Co. 106-----------------------------------------------22172

Motorized Ambulance 506----------------------------------19051**

Field Hosp. 506------------------------------------------------10749**

Security Co. 106--------------------------------------------20602

SS anti-Art.---------------------------------------------------57966

Admin. Unit 506---------------------------------------------22045

SS FpA 106---------------------------------------------------15360

(*) Indicates that FPN was formerly assigned to VII SS Panzer Corps.
(**) Indicates change to SS Corps Troop.

[ Front Page ] [ Top] [Previous Page [ Next Page]