Latvian Legion member help

[Dennis S]

I am trying to do some research for an old comrade who's father was a member of the Latvian Legion . So far I know he was an Latvian Army Officer then Schutzmannschaft Battalion , Police and Waffen SS Latvian Legion

My friends mother dragged him age 2 and his sister halfway across Europe as a refugee and
emigrated to the US after the war.

His name was

Karlis Babris

DOB 4/30 1901

KIA 2/3/1944

I believe he was killed somewhere in the former Soviet Union

This research is not for monetary gain

I checked him in Wast ( no luck 2 Babris's but EM's) and applied for tracing with links provided by Ian.

I have copies of photos of him in Police and Waffen SS uniform and is an Officer. Other than these photos he has no real info on his father. He said he found some after action report on a Latvian Legion website that mentions his fathers name .

Thanks in Advance


8. Schutzmannschaft Battalion:
Formed on 4 September 1941. Named 1. Rīga Schutzmannschaft Battalion on 23 September 1941 and renamed 18. Schutzmannschaft Battalion on 5 January 1942. Transferred to the Lettische Legion as II Battalion, SS-Freiwillige Regiment 2/lett. on 1 June 1943.

Commander:
4 Sep 1941 - 12 Dec 1941: Hauptmann Kārlis Bēms
12 Dec 1941 - 13 Jan 1942: Hauptmann Kārlis Porietis
13 Jan 1942 - 21 Feb 1942: Oberst Arnolds Kurše
21 Feb 1942 - 1 Jun 1943: Hauptmann Frīdrichs Rubenis

IVa:
Oberleutnant Kārlis Babris

1. Company:
4 Sep 1941 - :
Oberleutnant J Donis

2. Company:
Hauptmann E Elsis

3. Company:
4 Sep 1941 - 20 Apr 1943: Hauptmann F. Švēde

4. Company:
4 Sep 1941 - 5 Feb 1942: Oberstleutnant Ādolfs Fricis Doniņš
5 Feb 1942 - : Oberleutnant Ozols

276. Schutzmannschaft Battalion:
Formed on 7 December 1942 in Rīga from members of the 266-E. Schutzmannschaft Battalion, the single Company of the 275. Schutzmannschaft Battalion and the 2. Company of the 279. Schutzmannschaft Battalion. Transferred to the Lettische Freiwilligen Polizei Regiment 1 as the IV Battalion on 11 August 1943.

Commander:
7 Dec 1942 - 15 Jul 1943: Oberstleutnant Osvalds Meija
15 Jul 1943 - 11 Aug 1943: Oberstleutnant Jānis Birzulis

IVb:
7 Dec 1942 - : Hauptmann Kārlis Babris

1. Company:
7 Dec 1942 - : Oberleutnant Pēda

2. Company:
7 Dec 1942 - : Hauptmann Alfrēds Bisenieks

3. Company:
7 Dec 1942 - : Hauptmann Alsters

[Dennis S]

Also found him here on the Axis Forum now in the Waffen SS in the 4th Company


Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 34 (lett. Nr. 5):
Formed as Lettische SS-Freiwilligen Regiment Nr. 5 on 15 July 1943. Renamed SS-Freiw. Gren. Rgt. 34 (lett.Nr.3) on 22 October 1943. Renamed Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 34 (lett. Nr. 3) in June 1944 and Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 34 (lett. Nr. 5) on 8 September 1944.

Kdr.:
15 Jul 1943 - Dec 1943: Waffen-Standartenführer Augusts Apsītis
Dec 1943 - 27 Dec 1943: Waffen-Oberführer Arturs Silgailis
27 Dec 1943 - 10 Dec 1944: Waffen-Standartenführer Kārlis Dzenītis-Zeniņš
1944 - 1944: SS-Sturmbannführer Alfred Mäder (acting CO)
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jēkabs Lazduzieds (acting CO)
10 Dec 1944 - 7 Feb 1945: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Alberts Vīksne
7 Feb 1945 - 20 Feb 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jūlijs Ķīlītis
20 Feb 1945 - 21 Feb 1945: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Osvalds Meija
21 Feb 1945 - 2 Mar 1945: SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Pomrehn
2 Mar 1945 - 19 Mar 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Fricis Mežgrāvis
19 Mar 1945 - 29 Mar 1945: SS-Sturmbannführer Heinz Hämel
29 Mar 1945 - 1 Apr 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Pēteris Balodis
1 Apr 1945 - 27 Apr 1945: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Alberts Vīksne
27 Apr 1945 - 2 May 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Pēteris Balodis

Adjutant:
25 Apr 1943 - 7 Apr 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jūlijs Ķīlītis
7 Apr 1944 - 2 May 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Arvids Tīdemanis

Orders Officer:
Waffen-Obersturmführer Arturs Tēraudiņš
Waffen-Untersturmführer Bruno Innus

III:
1943 - 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Edvīns Leimanis
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Frīdrihs Riekstiņš

IVA:
1943 - ? : SS-Hauptsturmführer Meier
SS-Obersturmführer Martin

IVB:
1943 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Dr. Ansis Ritums
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Prīmanis

IVC:
1943 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Vilis Roga

Staff Company:
1943 - 6 Feb 1944†: Waffen-Obersturmführer Roberts Reķelis
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Edvīns Leimanis

13ª Company:
1943 - 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Teodors Brīvkalns

14ª Company:
Jul 1943 - 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jēkabs Tervītis
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jēkabs Leitītis

I Battalion:
Kdr.:
Apr 1943 - 4 Feb 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Jānis Druvaskalns
4 Feb 1944 - 8 Feb 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Arturs Kļaviņš
8 Feb 1944 - 6 Mar 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jēkabs Leitītis
6 Mar 1944 - 26 Mar 1944†: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Kleinbergs
7 Apr 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jūlijs Ķīlītis
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Aleksandrs Augulis
1944 - 24 Jan 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jēkabs Lazduzieds
24 Jan 1945 - 7 Feb 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jūlijs Ķīlītis
7 Feb 1945 - 20 Feb 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Teodors Brīvkalns
20 Feb 1945 - 21 Feb 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Jūlijs Ķīlītis
21 Feb 1945 - 2 Mar 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Viktors Arājs
2 Mar 1945 - 1 Apr 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Teodors Brīvkalns
1 Apr 1945 - 27 Apr 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Pēteris Balodis
27 Apr 1945 - 2 May 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Teodors Brīvkalns

Adjutant:
Jul 1943 - Jun 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Jānis Muižnieks
Jun 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Ernests Zukulis
7 Feb 1945 - 20 Feb 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Bērziņš
20 Feb 1945 - 13 Mar 1945†: Waffen-Obersturmführer Arturs Tēraudiņš

IVA:
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Juris Klēmanis

IVB:
1943 - 13 Feb 1944†: Waffen-Untersturmführer Jāzeps Baško
13 Feb 1944 - 16 Jul 1944†: Waffen-Obersturmführer Dāvids Reinbergs

1. Company
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Antons Platacis
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Fricis Mamis
1944 - 7 Feb 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Ojārs Bīskaps
7 Feb 1945 - Mar 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Ansklāviņš
Mar 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Šūpulnieks

2. Company
Waffen-Obersturmführer Valdemārs Šmits
1944 - 7 Feb 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Romāns Vāvere
7 Feb 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Rozītis

3. Company
? - Jun 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Ernests Zukulis
Jun 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Jānis Muižnieks
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jēkabs Leitītis
1944 - 28 Jan 1945†: Waffen-Untersturmführer Edmunds Silkalns
28 Jan 1945 - Mar 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Šūpulnieks
Mar 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Vītols

4. Company
1943 - 3 Feb 1944†: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Kārlis Babris
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Vilhelms Kramšteins
1944 - 7 Feb 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Ernests Zukulis
7 Feb 1945 - 9 Mar 1945†: Waffen-Obersturmführer Alberts Pliens
9 Mar 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Vilciņš
1945 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Īlēns

II Battalion:
Kdr.:
Apr 1943 - 7 Feb 1944: Waffen-Obersturmbannführer Nikolajs Bebris
7 Feb 1944 - 8 Mar 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Kārlis Sproģis
8 Mar 1944 - 7 Apr 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Valdemārs Šmits
7 Apr 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Pēteris Lapainis
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Ernests Zukulis
1944 - 15 Nov 1944: SS-Obersturmführer Hans-Joachim Schütze
15 Nov 1944 - 5 Feb 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Pēteris Balodis
5 Feb 1945 - 3 Mar 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Fricis Mežgrāvis
3 Mar 1945 - 19 Mar 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Cīrulis
19 Mar 1945 - 2 May 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Fricis Mežgrāvis

Adjutant:
1943 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Kristaps Zommers
15 Nov 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Juris Mazūrs
1944 - 3 Feb 1945†: Waffen-Untersturmführer Ernests Uldriks

IVA:
Waffen-Untersturmführer Strautmanis

IVB:
Waffen-Untersturmführer Vēriņš

5. Company
? - 15 Nov 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Stanislavs Klincāns
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Wolodymyr Lawytzkyj (acting CO)
15 Nov 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Donāts Namnieks
1944 - 7 Feb 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Rozītis

6. Company
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Rozītis
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Paupe

7. Company
? - 15 Nov 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Juris Mazūrs
1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Wolodymyr Lawytzkyj (acting CO)
15 Nov 1944 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Stanislavs Klincāns
1945 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Šulcs

8. Company
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Egons Treilons


III Battalion:
Kdr.:
Jul 1943 - 24 Nov 1943: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Ernests Šmits
? - 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Konstantins Mucenieks

Adjutant:
1944 - 20 Mar 1945†: Waffen-Untersturmführer Edgars Elpers

Orders Officer:
1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Alfreds Straumanis

IVB:
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Ozols

9. Company
1943 - 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Aleksandrs Smile
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Līdums
1945 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Leišups

10. Company
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Mārtiņš Kazainis
1945 - Mar 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Tālivaldis Kārkliņš
Mar 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Mārtiņš Balodis

11. Company
1943 - 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Avotiņš
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Mārtiņš Kazainis

12. Company
1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Vilis Grāvītis

VJK

[Chris S.]

Hi Dennis,

It sounds like a very interesting and worthwhile project you are pursuing. I myself am interested in the research of Latvian Legion officers. The information you have already is a lot more than you will find on most officers. I can verify all those positions he had, digging into my small archive on the Legion I found in book IV of Latviesu Karavirs Otra Pasuales Kara Laika and entry for Karlis Babris reporting is death as being Anushkovo. Furthermore here is some info that I found on a Latvian website, is this possibly the one your friend found? There is a pic of him on the website too:


Karlis Andrievs Babris. , First Lieutenant.
* 1901 IV 30th Saukas pag. + 1944th II 03. Anuškovo, Russia.
1919 VII 02. Valmiera infantry regiment soldier
1920 III 28th Retired,
1920 X 15th War School cadet,
1922 IX 01. graduated from school with a class III elevated Sergeant grade
1922 IX 01. Rezekne infantry regiment company (IV) ,
1923 VIII 18th lieutenant grade
1923 VIII 18th Rezekne infantry regiment gun (II) over
decorations,
1923 01. graduated from Officers' weapons' course
1924 II 21st company (III), junior officer,
1928 XI 17th First Lieutenant high grade ed. 1928 VIII, 18th,
1928 XII 01. company (IX), headed by Commander,
1928 XII 14th awarded the Latvian liberation struggle 10th Anniversary medal
1930 5th Feb Sigulda VII infantry regiment Company (III),junior officer,
1930 8th April Retired.
1941 XII 12th Zemgale (XVI), battalion company commander,
1944th II 03. Killed in action on the Nevel Front (Anushkovo), 34th Grenadier Regiment, 15th Division

Looks like he had an interesting career from fighting in the Latvian War of Independence to his war service in the Legion. For some reason this small biog omits his Schutzmannschaft information. I hope this was of some help. You could also try contacting the Latvian War Museum in Riga, they might be able to source some information on him particularly, on his pre-war service from their archives.

http://biographien.lv/B_virsnieki_babris.html

http://biographien.lv/B_virsn.html

http://www.karamuzejs.lv/

All the best,

Chris

[Chris S.]

Also is it possible for you to post the two pics of him in his unform?

Cheers,

Chris

[Dennis S]

Chris , Yes I believe that is him. Thanks a lot. I will post some photos when I return from work this evening.

[imants]

Who can help to get some information??????
Some information about Atis Snebergs.
Atis Snebergs was borned at 1922. ILUKSTE reg. willage KURCUMI. !1942 . or 1943. graduated RIGA Technical college. 1943. joined in Latvian legion 19. waffen SS division 1. battalion, his father capt. Karlis Snebergs was commander of this battalion. In July 27, 1943 Atis was sent to ARYS to join in instructors course. During this course he met Harijs Kodols, they become friends. At the end of September of 1943 Atis graduated instructor course and returned to KRECNO VOLCHOU front. Then Atis was included in schedule of candidates who are going to send to military school to learn and to get officers rank. At the end of 1943. Atis Snebergs was sent to BAD TOLZ to start officers course. On November 16, 1944 Harijs Kodols was in hospital in Irlava ( Tukuma reg.) and Harijs met hospital attendant Lazdins, who told to Harijs that his friend Atis Snebergs is hard wounded. The last information – Atis Snebergs served in 15.ss division training company until December of 1944. That is all of information I have.
Information about hospital I got from capt. Karlis Sneberg's daughter who is one of the sister of Atis Snebergs so and Her daughter ( capt. Karlis Sneberg's granddaughter) is may wife! Atis Sneberg's sister got this information about hospital from Harijs Kodol's diary. Harijs Kodols is legioneer from Jurmala, His diary was published in Latvia after renewal of independence. My e-mail : imantsopis@yahoo.com

[Herta]

I am trying to do some research for an old comrade who's father was a member of the Latvian Legion . So far I know he was an Latvian Army Officer then Schutzmannschaft Battalion , Police and Waffen SS Latvian Legion

My friends mother dragged him age 2 and his sister halfway across Europe as a refugee and
emigrated to the US after the war.

His name was

Karlis Babris

DOB 4/30 1901

KIA 2/3/1944

I believe he was killed somewhere in the former Soviet Union

This research is not for monetary gain

I checked him in Wast ( no luck 2 Babris's but EM's) and applied for tracing with links provided by Ian.

I have copies of photos of him in Police and Waffen SS uniform and is an Officer. Other than these photos he has no real info on his father. He said he found some after action report on a Latvian Legion website that mentions his fathers name .

Thanks in Advance


8. Schutzmannschaft Battalion:
Formed on 4 September 1941. Named 1. Rīga Schutzmannschaft Battalion on 23 September 1941 and renamed 18. Schutzmannschaft Battalion on 5 January 1942. Transferred to the Lettische Legion as II Battalion, SS-Freiwillige Regiment 2/lett. on 1 June 1943.

Commander:
4 Sep 1941 - 12 Dec 1941: Hauptmann Kārlis Bēms
12 Dec 1941 - 13 Jan 1942: Hauptmann Kārlis Porietis
13 Jan 1942 - 21 Feb 1942: Oberst Arnolds Kurše
21 Feb 1942 - 1 Jun 1943: Hauptmann Frīdrichs Rubenis

IVa:
Oberleutnant Kārlis Babris

1. Company:
4 Sep 1941 - :
Oberleutnant J Donis

2. Company:
Hauptmann E Elsis

3. Company:
4 Sep 1941 - 20 Apr 1943: Hauptmann F. Švēde

4. Company:
4 Sep 1941 - 5 Feb 1942: Oberstleutnant Ādolfs Fricis Doniņš
5 Feb 1942 - : Oberleutnant Ozols

276. Schutzmannschaft Battalion:
Formed on 7 December 1942 in Rīga from members of the 266-E. Schutzmannschaft Battalion, the single Company of the 275. Schutzmannschaft Battalion and the 2. Company of the 279. Schutzmannschaft Battalion. Transferred to the Lettische Freiwilligen Polizei Regiment 1 as the IV Battalion on 11 August 1943.

Commander:
7 Dec 1942 - 15 Jul 1943: Oberstleutnant Osvalds Meija
15 Jul 1943 - 11 Aug 1943: Oberstleutnant Jānis Birzulis

IVb:
7 Dec 1942 - : Hauptmann Kārlis Babris

1. Company:
7 Dec 1942 - : Oberleutnant Pēda

2. Company:
7 Dec 1942 - : Hauptmann Alfrēds Bisenieks

3. Company:
7 Dec 1942 - : Hauptmann Alsters

Hi Dennis, I am actually realted to Karlis Babris. He is/was my Grandfather. What kind of information is your friend looking for regarding his father? Is he strictly interested in military information or is he also interested in family history. His father, my grandfather was previously married and had a family. My mother, which would be his step-sister (approx. 13 yrs. older that him). My mother last saw both he and his mother in Germany in the DP camps (that I am aware of)...and I understand they immigrated to the USA.

[Dennis S]

Why don't you pm me your e-mail address and if he wishes he will contact you.

[besslein]

wow thats a story now!

[jlazdins]

possible info re Atis Snebergs

My father , Janis Lazdins served in the 15th division Waffen SS ..his brothers , Rudolph & Albert served in the 19th division...Rudolph was cut down by machine gun fire...Albert survived & was sent to the mines..at one point he was near death & as an an act of compassion was sent home to die..happily he recovered & lived till just a few yrs ago on the remainder of the family farm on the Daugava river..dad only spoke to me once of the war when he found he was dying..we spent the whole night on my front porch..him talking...me listening...he received the same officer training u spoke of in re to your grandpa & saw action in the same battles..one recollection he shared entailled having a mortor shell going off near their foxhole..he was untouched but his friend was badly hurt..he carried him to a medical unit before sneaking back to his post..he was sent to BERLIN at the end of the war for the last stand..at that point , 7 of his company were still alive & he didn't know who made it as he ended up in a redcross unit with a shrapnell wound when it ended

[jlazdins]

lazdins194@hotmail.ca