November 11

Lāčplēsis Day

The news about the attack of the Bermont’s Army spread throughout
the world, taking into account that invaders’ actions were against political
interests of western countries, Latvia soon started to receive help (weapons
and essential goods) from abroad. During the attacks, significant support to

Latvian Army soldiers in a armoured vehicle “Lāčplēsis” in September 1919

Lāčplēsis Day is celebrated in Latvia to honour the victory of the
independent Latvian Army over the West Russian Volunteer Army, or
Bermont’s Army, 90 years ago – on November 11, 1919. Commemorating
this event, Lacplesis Day is the day to remember Latvian Freedom Fighters. Latvian Army soldiers at the rubble of a building demolished by
Bermontians in 1919
The time from November 18, 1918 - the Proclamation Day of the Republic Latvians was provided by British and French warships.
of Latvia - until August 11, 1920, - liberation of Riga from the enemy forces The Latvian Army began its decisive attack on Bermontians on
is one of the most complex periods in the history of Latvia. Although the November 9, even though the battles were fierce, on November 11,
Independence of Latvia was declared in 1918, German and Russian forces were Bermont’s Army was driven away from Riga. To commemorate the victory
still in the country; and only in 1919, during the Latvian War of Independence, of the Latvian Army over Bermont’s Army, November 11 is celebrated
the invaders were driven off from Riga, it became clear that the country had as Lāčplēsis Day. This day symbolizes the victory of the Latvian national
regained and enforced its sovereignty. hero, Lāčplēsis, over the Black Knight, which was anticipated in Andrejs
Pumpurs’ epic poem “Lāčplēsis”.
One of the most decisive moments in the Latvian War of Independence
was the battle between the Latvian Army and the West Russian Volunteer Bermontiade is remarkable for the fact that the initially small Latvian
Army. The enemy army was formally led by the Russian Tsar’s army, Colonel Army with limited resources was able to defeat the much larger and better-
Pavel Bermont; however, its de facto commander was the German General equipped West Russian Volunteer Army. The following are the main reasons
Rudiger von der Goltz. In the truce treaty, signed in Strazdi Manor on July for the Latvian Army’s victory: Latvian soldiers’ bravery and heroism, the
3, 1919, it was mentioned that the German Army had to stop the warfare support provided to Latvia by allied forces, and the lack of initiative in the
and leave the territory of Latvia; however, von der Goltz had already made enemy’s army due to poor organization of battles.
a secret agreement with Bermont to invade Latvia.
October 1919 is considered to be the beginning of the Bermontiade, Lāčplēsis Day is remarkable also for the fact that on November 11,
1919, a Latvian Army reward was introduced – Lāčplēsis War Order with
the motto “For Latvia”. Lāčplēsis War Order was awarded to Latvian Army
soldiers, to the soldiers from Latvian Riflemen Regiments, as well as for-
eigners who participated in the Latvian War of Independence or contrib-
uted to the foundation of the State of Latvia. In total 2146 Lāčplēsis War
Orders have been awarded.

Latvian Army 6th soldiers in the wreckage, October 1919

when Bermont announced his intent to invade Riga. On October 8,

Russian - German Army launched their attack on Riga. The attack was an
unexpected turn of events for the Latvian government, but the presence of
Embankment of Riga after the retreat of Bermontians in 1919.
the enemy increased the patriotism of the Latvian nation and the Latvian
Armed Forces, being just at their formation stage, they heroically fought in
their defence positions. Facts and Figures
The Latvian War of Independence – Battles fought for the independence
of the state of Latvia from 1918 to 1920.
The Duration of the Latvian War of Independence – From November
18, 1918, when the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed in August 11, 1920,
the Latvian - Soviet peace treaty was signed. Russia acknowledged Latvia’s
sovereignty and renounced the claim to Latvia’s land.
Bermontiade – A period in the Latvian War of Independence, during
which German and Russian forces attempted to occupy Riga and destroy
Latvian Army soldiers in trenches at the Iron Bridge in October, 1919 Latvia’s sovereignty.
The Duration of Bermontiade – From October 8, 1919, to November
28, 1919, Bermontians launched an attack on Riga and the West Russian
Volunteer Army was driven off into Lithuania. The decisive moment in the
Latvian War of Independence was November 11, when the Latvian Army
liberated Pardaugava region of Riga from the Bermontians.
The Main Battlefields of Bermontiade – Riga (Pardaudgava), Kekava,
Jurmala Saldus, Talsi, Sabile, Kuldiga, Jelgava, Liepaja, Grobina, Aizpute.
Latvia’s Losses During Bermontiade:
• Loss of human resources – 57 officers and 686 soldiers
• Financial loss – 293 million Latvian rubbles (according to the currency rate
Latvian Army soldiers in trenches on the bank of the River Daugava
in October, 1919 of the time)

Information prepared by:

The Ministry of Defence
Military Public Relations Department
Photos from the holdings of the state agency “The Latvian War Museum”

More information available on home page of the Latvian War Museum

www.karamuzejs.lv
military media of the defence sector
www.sargs.lv
The Republic of Latvia Ministry of Defence