Vilis Hāzners

Vilis Arveds Hāzners (1905–1989) was an officer in the Latvian army and Latvian Legion, and a recipient of the Nazi German Ehrenblattspange des Heeres.[1]

Early life

Vilis Hāzners was born in Vircava parish at the Erslaķi homestead[2] into a miller's family. At the outset of World War I, Hāzners' family became refugees in 1915, finding a new home in Valka, however, Hāzners' schooling was interrupted. Following the war, he resumed his studies after his family's return, graduating from the Jelgava Agricultural High School, then working for several years at the Vidsmuiža Livestock Research Station. In 1926 he was called up for compulsory military service in the Latvian army, joining the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment. The military was considered a good career; Hāzners determined to become a professional soldier. He entered the Latvian Military Academy in 1928, graduating in 1931, and was then deployed to join the 7th Sigulda Infantry Regiment stationed in Aluksne.[1] Hāzners was promoted to lieutenant in 1934 on Latvian Independence Day (18 November).[3] In September 1936 he requested and was granted a transfer to the 6th Riga Infantry Regiment.[4] In 1939 he was sent to the highest military academy, graduating in 1940 with a rank of captain.[1] In March 1940, Hāzners was appointed a military training instructor at the Rīga Rainis Gymnasium. On 12 June 1940, he was awarded a Class V Order of Viesturs.[5] He was relieved of military service upon the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940.[1]

World War II

After Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union on 21 June 1941, the NKVD in Rīga arrested Hāzners on 25 June. The interrogators demanded he identify anti-Soviet elements but Hāzners refused. Hāzners and several other prisoners managed to escape on 30 June[6] as the Soviets began their retreat ahead of the German capture of Rīga the following day.

After a year of brutal Soviet occupation, the arrival of the Germans was initially greeted as a liberation by many Latvians. The Latvian national anthem played on the radio. Hāzners joined partisan forces along the Vidzeme shore ensuring the Russian retreat was complete. Hāzners subsequently performed adjutant duties for Colonel Voldemars Veiss.[1] He became involved in coordinating Latvian military participation in front-line combat on the Eastern Front. In October 1942 Hāzners was appointed county chief of Abrene.[7]

Hāzners resigned his county position in May 1943 and joined the Latvian Legion, 15th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Latvian), 32. Regiment as regiment commander adjutant. He was appointed commander of I. Battalion on 6 March 1944 but reassigned as commander of III. Battalion on 13 April. That mid-July the 32. Regiment was forced to retreat from positions in Opochka along the banks of the Velikaya River; the battalion was reorganized as part of the Kārlis Aperāts battle group. On 18 July 1944, battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Aperāts was mortally wounded in battle near the town of Mozulyu and handed his command over to Hāzners, who with the five dozen or so surviving soldiers and officers he now led managed to cross a swamp and break out from the Russian forces surrounding them. For his heroism, Hāzners was awarded the Ehrenblatt des Heeres (Honour Roll Clasp of the Army).[1]

On 20 August 1944, Hāzners was redeployed to Germany with the remnants of 32. Regiment, where he was promoted to the rank of major and appointed commander of the 15. Fusiliers Battalion. On 26 January 1945, Hāzners was wounded in action at Mrocza (Immenheim) and sent to Denmark for recovery, where he remained until the end of the war.[1]

Life after World War II

Following the war, Hāzners was housed with other Latvian POWs at the Zedelgem prisoner-of-war camp in Belgium, where he was one of the founders of the Daugavas Vanagi welfare organization. Subsequently, he participated in training war invalids, helping approximately 500 take up useful trades and occupations.

Hāzners was active in the exile Latvian-American community. He served as the president of the Latvian National Committee (1948-1951), from 1951 editing the Daugavas Vanagi monthly newsletter, eventually serving as the organization's general-secretary.

In 1977, based on KGB-fabricated documents,[8] Hāzners was accused of active participation in the Holocaust. At the time, he was living in upstate New York, where Fredric U. Dicker, a columnist for the Times Union, revealed his identity.[9] Hāzners was acquitted after neither the Immigration and Naturalization Service nor the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) were able to provide evidence.[10]

Hāzners died 12 May 1989 in the United States. He was buried in Bērzkrogs Cemetery in Latvia.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Daugavas Vanagu Centrālas Parvaldes Izdevums - Latviešu karavīrs otrā pasaules kaŗa laikā, Toronto: 1993, Volume 11, page 149. (Daugavas Vanagi.)
  2. ^ Instead of addresses, Latvian rural homesteads had names independent of the surname of the family residing there.
  3. ^ "Valdības vēstnesis" 1934, 17 November (No. 261), page 2.
  4. ^ "Brīvā Zeme" 1936, 1 September (No. 137), page 3.
  5. ^ "Brīvā Zeme" 1940, June 12 (No. 130), page 3
  6. ^ "Tēvija" 1941, July 5 (No. 5), page 6
  7. ^ "Daugavas Vēstnesis" 24 October 1942 (No. 247), page 2
  8. ^ "Holocaust in Latvia - Shifting Interpretations".
  9. ^ "Spitzer's Nemesis". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  10. ^ Andrew Ezergailis - Six versions of the Holocaust in Latvia - Latvijas Vēsturnieku komisijas raksti - Holokausts Latvijā, Rīga: 2006, Volume 18, page 79
  11. ^ Daugavas Vanagi. Alternate sources indicate Vircava Parish, Bērzu cemetery.

Read other articles:

Hari Kucing NasionalDirayakan olehAmerika SerikatTanggal29 Oktober Hari Kucing Nasional adalah hari peringatan kucing yang didirikan oleh Celebrity Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert dan seorang penulis bernama Colleen Paige, yang berlangsung pada tanggal 29 Oktober setiap tahun di Amerika Serikat.[1] Referensi ^ (Inggris) October 29 Is National Cat Day Diarsipkan 2016-07-12 di Wayback Machine.. www.huffingtonpost.com. Diakses 26 Oktober 2014. Pranala luar (Inggris) NationalCatDay.com Di...

 

Dave ChappelleChappelle pada September 2018Nama lahirDavid Khari Webber ChappelleLahir24 Agustus 1973 (umur 50)Washington, D.C., U.S.MediaLawak tunggal, televisi, filmTahun aktif1982–kiniGenreKomedi observasihumor surealkomedia sketsahumor gelaphumor joroksatireSubjekPolitik Amerika Serikatkebudayaan kulit hitam Amerika Serikatbudaya populerrasismehubungan antar-raspenggunaan narkotika rekreasionalseksualitas manusiamoralitasSuami/istriElaine Erfe ​(m. 2001)̴...

 

Not to be confused with FIFA 14. 2014 video game2014 FIFA World Cup BrazilGlobal game cover.Developer(s)EA CanadaPublisher(s)EA SportsSeriesFIFA World CupPlatform(s)PlayStation 3, Xbox 360ReleaseNA: 15 April 2014EU: 17 April 2014Genre(s)SportsMode(s)Single-player, multiplayer 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is the official video game for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, published by EA Sports for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was released on 15 April 2014 in North America, and 17 April 2014 in Europe, as...

2021 picture book for children The Bench First editionAuthorsMeghan, Duchess of SussexIllustratorChristian RobinsonLanguageEnglishGenreChildren's literaturePublisherRandom House Children's BooksPublication dateJune 8, 2021Media typePrintWebsitewww.thebenchbook.com The Bench is a 2021 picture book for children written by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. It was published on June 8, 2021, by Random House Children's Books.[1][2] Meghan has also narrated the audiobook of the story.&...

 

يفتقر محتوى هذه المقالة إلى الاستشهاد بمصادر. فضلاً، ساهم في تطوير هذه المقالة من خلال إضافة مصادر موثوق بها. أي معلومات غير موثقة يمكن التشكيك بها وإزالتها. (نوفمبر 2019) الدوري الأيرلندي 1958–59 تفاصيل الموسم الدوري الأيرلندي  النسخة 38  البلد جمهورية أيرلندا  المنظم ا�...

 

Medical conditionAnismusOther namesDyssynergic defecationSpecialtyGastroenterology Anismus or dyssynergic defecation is the failure of normal relaxation of pelvic floor muscles during attempted defecation. It can occur in both children and adults, and in both men and women (although it is more common in women). It can be caused by physical defects or it can occur for other reasons or unknown reasons. Anismus that has a behavioral cause could be viewed as having similarities with parcopresis, ...

First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 Pat NixonNixon in 1972First Lady of the United StatesIn roleJanuary 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974PresidentRichard NixonPreceded byLady Bird JohnsonSucceeded byBetty FordSecond Lady of the United StatesIn roleJanuary 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961Vice PresidentRichard NixonPreceded byJane Hadley BarkleySucceeded byLady Bird Johnson Personal detailsBornThelma Catherine Ryan(1912-03-16)March 16, 1912Ely, Nevada, U.S.DiedJune 22, 19...

 

1954 filmNo Parking HareTitle cardDirected byRobert McKimsonStory bySid MarcusProduced byEdward Selzer(uncredited)StarringMel BlancJohn T. Smith(uncredited)Music byCarl StallingAnimation byCharles McKimsonPhil DeLaraRod ScribnerHerman CohenColor processTechnicolorProductioncompanyWarner Bros. CartoonsDistributed byWarner Bros. PicturesThe Vitaphone CorporationRelease date May 1, 1954 (1954-05-01) (U.S.) Running time6:27LanguageEnglish No Parking Hare is a 1954 Warner Bros. ...

 

NérignaccomuneLocalizzazioneStato Francia Regione Nuova Aquitania Dipartimento Vienne ArrondissementMontmorillon CantoneLussac-les-Châteaux TerritorioCoordinate46°18′N 0°44′E / 46.3°N 0.733333°E46.3; 0.733333 (Nérignac)Coordinate: 46°18′N 0°44′E / 46.3°N 0.733333°E46.3; 0.733333 (Nérignac) Superficie4,42 km² Abitanti145[1] (2009) Densità32,81 ab./km² Altre informazioniCod. postale86150 Fuso orarioUTC+1 Codic...

この項目には、一部のコンピュータや閲覧ソフトで表示できない文字が含まれています(詳細)。 数字の大字(だいじ)は、漢数字の一種。通常用いる単純な字形の漢数字(小字)の代わりに同じ音の別の漢字を用いるものである。 概要 壱万円日本銀行券(「壱」が大字) 弐千円日本銀行券(「弐」が大字) 漢数字には「一」「二」「三」と続く小字と、「壱」「�...

 

この項目には、一部のコンピュータや閲覧ソフトで表示できない文字が含まれています(詳細)。 数字の大字(だいじ)は、漢数字の一種。通常用いる単純な字形の漢数字(小字)の代わりに同じ音の別の漢字を用いるものである。 概要 壱万円日本銀行券(「壱」が大字) 弐千円日本銀行券(「弐」が大字) 漢数字には「一」「二」「三」と続く小字と、「壱」「�...

 

Ernesto Carlo d'Asburgo-Lorena Ernesto Carlo d'Asburgo-Lorena, (in tedesco: Ernst Karl Felix Maria Rainer Gottfried Cyriak) (Milano, 8 agosto 1824 – Arco, 4 aprile 1899), è stato un arciduca d'Austria. Indice 1 Biografia 2 Carriera militare 3 Matrimonio 4 Morte 5 Onorificenze 6 Ascendenza 7 Note 8 Altri progetti Biografia Era il figlio dell'arciduca Ranieri Giuseppe d'Asburgo-Lorena, viceré del Regno Lombardo-Veneto, e di sua moglie, Maria Elisabetta di Savoia-Carignano, figlia di Carlo E...

2023 single by Ava MaxGhostMerk & Kremont remix coverSingle by Ava Maxfrom the album Diamonds & Dancefloors ReleasedMarch 16, 2023 (2023-03-16)Genre Synth-pop house Length3:01LabelAtlanticSongwriter(s) Amanda Ava Koci Henry Walter Uzoechi Emenike Producer(s)CirkutAva Max singles chronology One Of Us (2023) Ghost (2023) Car Keys (Ayla) (2023) VisualizerGhost on YouTube Ghost is a song by American singer Ava Max from her second studio album, Diamonds & Dancefloors. Th...

 

تحتاج هذه المقالة إلى الاستشهاد بمصادر إضافية لتحسين وثوقيتها. فضلاً ساهم في تطوير هذه المقالة بإضافة استشهادات من مصادر موثوق بها. من الممكن التشكيك بالمعلومات غير المنسوبة إلى مصدر وإزالتها. (أبريل 2019)Learn how and when to remove this message تقطعت بهم السبل الهجر العاطفي (بالإنجليزية: Emoti...

 

American college aquatic sports competition 1989 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving ChampionshipsHost city Indianapolis, IndianaDate(s)March 1989Venue(s)Indiana University NatatoriumIndiana University← 1988 1990 → The 1989 NCAA Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championships were contested in March 1989 at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana at the 66th annual NCAA-sanctioned swim meet to determine the team and individual national champions of Division I...

TournaiMunicipalityKatedral Tournai BenderaLambang kebesaranLocation of Tournai Negara BelgiaMasyarakatMasyarakat PrancisDaerahWalloniaProvinsiHainautArrondissementTournaiPemerintahan • Wali KotaRudy Demotte (PS) • Partai penguasaPS-cdHLuas • Total215,34 km2 (8,314 sq mi)Populasi (2018-01-01)[1] • Total69.554 • Kepadatan3,2/km2 (8,4/sq mi)Kode pos7500-7548Kode NIS57081Kode area telepon069Sit...

 

This is a list of Old West lawmen: notable people who served in various law enforcement positions during the Old West period. Name Portrait Life Years active Comments Ref. John Hicks Adams No image available 1830–1878 1864–1878 Sheriff, Santa Clara County, California, Deputy U.S. Marshal, Arizona Territory Alfred Shea Addis 1832–1886 1883–1886 Territorial Marshal, Tucson, Arizona 1883–1886 Deputy US Marshal, Grant County [1] William Red Angus No image available 1849–1922 ...

 

American gas station chain Murphy USACompany typePublicTraded asNYSE: MUSAS&P 400 ComponentFounded1996; 28 years ago (1996) (became independent in 2013; 11 years ago (2013) as spin-off of Murphy Oil)HeadquartersEl Dorado, Arkansas, U.S.Key people R. Andrew Clyde (President and CEO)[1] Mindy West (EVP and COO)[1] Galagher Jeff (EVP and CFO)[1] Blake Segal (SVP and Head of QuickChek)[1] ServicesService stationsNumber o...

This is a list of incidents of civil disorder that have occurred France since the 13th century, including riots, strikes, violent labor disputes, minor insurrections, and other forms of civil unrest. 13th century 1229: 1229 University of Paris strike, riots at the University of Paris that resulted in a number of student deaths and reforms of the medieval university. 1251: Shepherds' Crusade, attacks on monasteries, universities and Jews. 1257: Revolt in Marseille 1261: Revolt in Marseille 12...

 

Dialect of Maltese in Australia This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Maltralian – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear becaus...