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Title: Latvia: Year of Horror, 1940 – The Year Assimilated Jews Turned on Their Neighbours
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Published: Sep 24, 2020
Author: Horse
Post Date: 2020-09-24 14:15:29 by Horse
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latvia: Year of Horror. is an highly illustrated, chronological eyewitness and documented account of the suffering the Latvian people endured at the hands of the Jewish-Bolshevik invaders and, the assimilated Latvian-Jews, who, in the summer of 1940, began a slaughterous oppression with the arrival of the Jewish Red Army. It all started on the 15th of June 1940, at 2:30am, when the NKVD raided a Latvian Boarder Post, then with the Red Army invasion of the Latvian Territory and occupation of Riga, on the 17th of June, 1940. Latvia’s terror started at once with the mass arrests, murders and/or deportations of its leaders to far regents of Bolshevik Russia, as revolutionary criminals were released from Latvian prisons, to assist the Red Army and replace the slain and deported in their positions. It followed later with thousands of Latvians being arrested without warrant, loaded onto railway freight carriages and deported to the far east to join their leaders in frost-bitten death camps, or they were just outright murdered in their homeland. This left the blood-soaked nation leaderless, until the onset of the preemptive German mobilisation of Operation Barbarossa against the Soviet aggression toward the west, who arrived in Latvia on Sunday June 22, 1941 and, finally arrived at Riga on July 1, 1941. They were welcomed as Liberators by the Latvian people, who then turned their suffering into revenge against many of the Jewish occupiers… but they are now referred to as ‘Pro-Nazi Sympathisers and Collaborators’ by the victors. The highly illustrated booklet, ‘Latvia: Year of Horror‘ is reproduced below with only formatting, spelling and minimal translation amendments for comprehension purposes, but has been kept as close as possible to the original 1942 translation and accuracy of detailed facts. The relevant video footage contained is an additional inclusion by Historical Tribune. Edited by Paula Kovalevskis, Oskars Noritis and Mikelis Goppers. Published by Zelta Abele, 1942. Latvia: Year of Horror, is a collection of photos and documents covering the communist rule in Latvia from June 17, 1940 to July 1, 1941. This book shows communism as it was in reality — cloaked in deception and lies, filled with inhuman cruelties, reveling in torture and blood, sadistic in its delight in the lamentations of sufferers, and infinite in revenge and destruction. An unfathomable darkness, a madness, a mockery of honour and a rejection of all virtue sought to annihilate nothing less than the soul of the Latvian nation, a people for more than 4,000 years. “Latvia: Year of Horror, an historical, unexpurgated publication, not adhering to any political fashion or line, has the blessing of God. These are the plain facts. There are no grounds to consider it anti-Semitic literature.” ~ Reverend Karlis Zuika Forward The reprinting of Baigais Gads (Latvia: Year of Horror) is not only laudable and welcome, it is also necessary. This book deals with a turning point in Latvian history, which must not remain hidden. Latvia: Year of Horror, was the first (1942) and, at this moment, the only full documentation of the horrible events of 1940. It offers a precise witness account of that time in Latvian history. It is an historical documentation of the now, all-but-forgotten events in Latvia of that horrible summer of 1940. It is a period of time filled with tragedy. A manipulation of historical events to suit today’s needs is not allowable… These are the facts! To read the later adapted Introduction to Latvia: Year of Horror, see here, pages 3 – 5. The Beginning On June 15/16, 1940, many Latvians had gathered to attend the song festival in Daugavpils. This was to be the last such festival for free Latvians for almost half a century. The attack by Stalin’s communists on the night of June 14, 1940 was the prelude to Latvia’s road of suffering. The orgy of bloodshed had begun. On this night, the “great Eastern neighbour” — the Soviet Union — after a silence of 23 years, took the first step in the dance of death on Latvian soil. Their invasion was their calling card and showed how the Bolsheviks betrayed their commitments undertaken in the Mutual Assistance Pact of 1939. Latvia, Border Guard, article Border Guard BodiesThey burned the quarters of Latvian border guards in the Maslenkis community in Augspils Township (above) The half-burned body of border guard Macitis (top right). The body of Hermine, wife of border guard Purins (middle right). The body of border guard Beizaks. (bottom Right). The son of border guard Purins died in hospital from fatal injuries. Border guard Cimosko died with Beizaks. Forty-three border guards and nearby residents who tried to save the burning quarters were seized by the invading communists and taken across the border as prisoners. These events took place at the very time that the Bolshevik press proclaimed: “The Soviet Union has maintained and continues to maintain a policy that is beneficial and to the highest degree pro-Latvian.” Arrival of Soviet troops The arrival of the Bolsheviks in Riga, the Latvian capital, via the Iron Bridge. The cynicism and bestiality shown by Soviet rule seemed unbelievable. The hypocrisy and falsification of truth were incomprehensible. Yet, they did happen. The official announcements by the Latvian Government protesting the invasion, had no effect. Moscow proceeded according to plan for the invasion and annexation of Latvia. These plans were thorough and far-reaching. On the morning of June 17th, Latvia was overrun by the armed hordes of Communist Russia. Many of the invading troops were Asiatic units who could, thus, not speak to the victims. Communist-instigated mob, incited disorder at Riga's Police Headquarters Latvia article, communists riot at Riga Communist-instigated mob, incited disorder at Riga’s Police Headquarters Riga Post Office, day of invasion View at the Main Post Office in Riga on the day of the communist invasion. Jews attack police, soldiers and officers Attacks on the Latvian Police, on the Soldiers and Officers of the Latvian Army took place in the Capital and throughout the Country. Rocks were thrown at the Police by the Communist-instigated mob. …But from the underground, sensing ideological allies in the Bolsheviks, there arose “the oppressed masses” groups of hooligans, criminals, vagabonds, many Jews, “the Chosen People”, to welcome the invaders and to attack the police as they tried to maintain order in the streets packed with the invading Soviet soldiers. The Red Army arrived “to assure the realisation of the USSR and Latvia’s mutual assistance pact,” who embraced and protected the pro-communist rioters. Thus, the Soviets demonstrated who deserved their “mutual assistance” and it was not the Latvian nation at large. Grimly silent, Latvians on the sidewalks were watching a real life drama, about which no one at the time could sense the horrific outcome of the final act. Railroad station After the dispersal of the mob, the area of the railroad station and around police headquarters was littered with rocks hurled by the communist rioters. Riot arrests The Latvian institutions, not yet familiar with the practices of the Bolshevik invaders, attempted to enforce the laws of the land, in the belief that those who had incited the riot should be charged and punished. This was a bitter delusion. The Soviet Embassy explained that it was satisfied with the manner in which the Red Army’s arrival in Riga had been welcomed! The names of the hooligans charged for rioting indicate their mostly Jewish origin; Genech Kreiness, David Goldberg, Heim Klackin, Grigory Varuskin, Abramy Gemjanov, etc. Puppet PresidentAll these events were legitimised. A new government took power on orders from Moscow. The duly constituted Latvian Government was replaced. At left: Puppet President, Professor Kirchensteins addresses the crowd, with Peter Blaus and Julius Lacis. Demonstrators requested and got the legalisation of the Latvian Communist Party. Jews in Power in Latvia - Copy The sensitive ear of the Latvian Communist Party’s first Secretary, Kalnberzins-Zakis, who carefully noted the “just demands of the nation“, in reality, his orders were from Moscow. Jewish Signs What Nationality were they? The language and characters on the signs indicate, clearly – Jews! Comrade Vishinki The master of Ceremonies of all events planned by Moscow, the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, of the Soviet Union, Comrade Vishinski (at left), greeted the “friendly” demonstrators and stated his belief that, in the future, the Soviet and Latvian flags would fly side by side. The future would reveal this to be a barefaced lie and would expose the cynical intentions behind this statement. On June 21st, workers were forcibly driven out into the streets to participate in a “demonstration of joy” to hail, with many enthusiastic Jews, their own future murderers. The Soviet power, already having taken under its wing the crowd of hooligans, now released prisoners guilty of illegal political activities. Sadly, it did not occur to the new puppet government that the USSR would establish its “pro-Latvian policy” with the aid of Enemies of the State! This coerced demonstration in Riga, was a forerunner of future manufactured “support” for the planned implementation of Soviet power. Jewish crowd awaits the release of prisoners Mostly Jewish crowd awaits the release of political prisoners from Central Prison in Riga. Newly Released Prisoners Parade Newly released criminals parade out of prison. Jewish Prisoners article Prisoners, accompanied by largely Jewish crowd and the coerced crowd of demonstrators, enter the street. A Prisoner addresses the crowd. His face clearly contorted with hate and a desire to destroy. Jewish crowd at soviet embassy The prisoners and crowd of Jews were of one mind: the Soviets in power were their real friends. The Soviet Embassy on Anthony Street, was the den where the local hirelings fulfilled Moscow’s plans. The masses had no notion of their contents. Many even opined – as did many gullible people in the West – that, in its 23 years of existence, communism had changed for the better. The largely Jewish crowd cheered the speaker addressing the crowd. Their “roaring cheers for the liberators” became understandable only later. [left] Deported or escaped anti-government Bolsheviks returned from Sweden. It is not necessary to note that most of them were Jews. [centre] The former Spanish Civil War Red Front volunteers, are greeted by Jewish functionaries. [right] Simultaneously, Red Army soldiers staged performances in the city’s parks and gardens, displaying their “culture” and diverting attention from the destruction planned for the Latvian nation. Everything proceeded according to plan. All interested in the destruction of the state of Latvia, of the Latvian nation and the ruin of its values, had now met and joined arms. The team of destroyers were now in place. With forces unified, the destruction of the existing system, order and values could begin. A fearless hand stabbed in the back, the nation’s greatest and best organised guard and support: the Latvian Army was to be Bolshevised! This task was entrusted to largely Jewish hands. Abraham GenkinsPictured left and below on the left, is one of the new power brokers, Abraham Genkins, a Jew. He had been a soldier in the Latvian Army in the Courland Division, Labour – that is, a punishment or military prisoner – Commando in Liepaja. He had been arrested for subversive activities. With the arrival of the Bolsheviks, this criminal was promoted to the rank of “Politruk” (Political Commissar) in the Artillery Division. He is seen wearing the uniform of a Latvian Army officer (below left). Politruks Latvian Army training for criminalsInto the Latvian Army, “Politruks” – Political Commissars – with no military training and often without even grade school education – were introduced. Frequently, they had criminal pasts and were promoted at once, to the ranks of Captain or Colonel. The first and essential condition of their appointment was that the army must not be a-political. [image right] “Political Indoctrination” session during training in one Latvian Army unit. On the left, a “Politruk.” The work of destruction continued feverishly. It was necessary to falsify the wishes of the nation in order to ratonalise actions, to which no one with common sense would agree. On July 15/16, in elections for the Saeima, the Parliament, the people were compelled to vote for only one existing slate and were forcibly driven to the polls. Afterwards, holders of passports that did not have a stamp indicating they had participated in the voting, were considered to be traitors! Propaganda signs in Russian and such coercive methods, left no doubt about the purpose, persistence and relentlessness of Bolshevik intentions. Forced Marches to vote One of the forced marches from work to voting stations where there was only one choice on the ballot. Latvian SSR Founded The fateful “newly elected” session of the Saeima opened on July 21, 1940. There, the destiny of Latvia was to be decided and the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) was founded. To Moscow! Prof. Kirchensteins Professor Kirchensteins and the Soviet Ambassador at the Riga railroad station, leaving for Moscow. Official statistics show that, in spite of coercion of the voting process, a significant number of voters abstained. Therefore, the new Soviet rulers announced that participation in the election had been nearly 100% of the electorate. The new members of the Saeina, elected as they were in forced and staged elections, now took the next step of high treason and resolved to approve the annexation of Latvia to the Soviet Union. Professor Kirchensteins, the new President-in-waiting, undertook the task of begging Moscow for mercy to realize this goal. This was done. All obstacles to Bolshevik plans had been removed. Jew Crowd The real meaning of these events was best expressed in the rejoicing of so many Jews. For the Latvian nation, the hardest moments of awareness and a crucial test of its very existence, had arrived. In Moscow, the long planned sequence of events reached its conclusion. The Latvian nation had been dragged to a threshold, the crossing of which was designed to erase it from the registry of nations forever! Ecstatic Jews It was no secret what the result of Professor Kirchensteins’ trip would be. This was to be the last act in a masterfully directed drama. It was to prove to the world that the Latvian nation “ardently wishes to join the family of other nations in the Soviet Union.” The request to incorporate Latvia into the Soviet Union was in the hands of the press on the day of Kirchenstein’s arrival in Moscow. However, Moscow already knew what it wanted and what was to be done. Everything proceeded as planned. On August 5th, 1940, the fate of Latvia was sealed. [right] Most Jews were ecstatic. The demonstrations on August 5th, turned into Jewish National celebrations. Jews request the annexation of Latvia With the Communist Revolutionary fist salute, Jews request the annexation of the State of Latvia to the Soviet Union. The State of Latvia Ceases to Exist on August 5th Like a mockery of truth, the Soviet newspaper, Izvestia, reported on August 6th: “Yesterday, the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet separately voting by chambers unanimously agreed to accept the request of Latvia’s Saeima to include the Latvian SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic) into the U.S.S.R.’s fraternal family of nations.” Soviet Paper Aug 6th, 1940 Jews Rejoice The Jews rejoiced most. The following day, large numbers of Jews in Latvia again rejoiced, and their joy was unrestrained. However, Latvians driven into the streets to join in “gratitude” demonstrations were grim-faced. As of this moment, they had lost their free will and their destiny was completely in Moscow’s hands. There was only one road left open to the Latvian nation – to close ranks and with heads proudly raised, inspired by love and loyalty for the land of their fathers, to resist and meet the fate of martyrs. Acting President and Prime Minister, Prof. Kirchensteins This man, Professor Kirchensteins, to make believable the grossly falsified will of the Latvian people, hypocritically lied: “The workers of Latvia suffered from unemployment and lived in hunger… Every attempt to gain human subsistence and rights and to determine their own future, they paid for with suffering and torment, with incarceration of their best sons and daughters in prison and forced labour camps… Only the inclusion into the U.S.S.R. assures real independence, development of industry, agriculture, the blossoming of real national culture, brilliant and powerful rise of material and cultural well being…” [As George Orwell would write in his novel, 1984, the Communist world peace is war and freedom is slavery.] Loyal GuardsThe new communist power was established. Loyal guards and support had to be provided. Already operational was the Institute of Police Assistance Service “P.D.” With few exceptions, this was comprised of the dregs of society: thieves, burglars, cheats. This institution eventually became the People’s Militia. Many Jews and hardened criminals were entrusted with the organisation and supervision of these institutions. Organiser of Militia, Isak Jewsinskis Organiser of the Workers’ Guard & People’s Militia, a man with a long criminal record; a Jew, Izak Bucinskis The duties of the police were assumed by the newly founded People’s Militia, although their primary task was not to fight crime. This concept lost its meaning when criminals were released from prisons and the leadership of security establishments were handed over to them. The militiamen had mastered shooting, in the event they had to face their own countrymen. Hardly able to read or write, they controlled identity documents in search of enemies of the new regime. These were considered to be anyone decently attired or intelligent looking. Workers received arms and founded Workers’ Guards. Among them were women, there on the understanding they would not flinch when executing their duties. Militia target practice People’s Militia at Target Practice [left] Militiamen check identity papers of pedestrians in Riga. [centre] The Workers’ Guard in formation in honour of the delegation from Moscow. The women of the Workers’ Guard. [right] To allay suspicions, many workers joined the Guard, even though they had no connections with the Bolsheviks. To justify the existence of this armed guard, the Bolsheviks invented horror stories about sabotage. The guards were guarding the factories against imaginary ghosts. Bolshevik Cynicism In those few weeks was hidden the most horrible villainy of Bolshevik cynicism. From the very first days of the occupation rule, word spread like wildfire of the first wave of arrests. The prisons, emptied of recidivists, criminals, Bolshevik agents, subversives, spies and illegals, quickly filled with Latvian patriots. Former Latvian policemen were arrested for attempts to maintain order during the largely Jewish-incited riots in city streets. Every other Latvian who wore a uniform was arrested – soldiers, border guards, home guards – or those who were in a supervisory position in the former government offices, as well as judges who ruled in accordance with the prevailing law, and finally, those who openly and proudly announced their affiliation to the Latvian nation. Ironically, at the same time, the Bolsheviks proclaimed the equality and brotherhood of nations. Unrest and agitation among the people grew. The nation, confused and shaken by events arranged by cynical and coldblooded minds, was facing an uncertain future and sensed the presence of danger. The occupation power was fighting the distrust and hatred of the nation. There would be no reprisals, the puppet regime promised! That had to be repeated again and again, not because this power attempted to establish and secure authority and regain the lost trust, but rather it exploited the existing and freshly and deliberately provoked antagonisms to arrive at its real goal: To Destroy “Harmful elements“. These elements were the whole independence-minded Latvian nation. Street Signs Streets were crowded with a variety of signs and displays on which much money was spent. “There shall be no reprisals.” These words encompass the oldest Bolshevik lie, their most horrible deeds perpetrated during the year of their rule. Words seemingly expressing trust and forgiveness hid the real intent of the Bolsheviks – the destruction of the Latvian nation. When a year later, the ground opened up and the corpses disclosed the truth, it was more horrible than anything anyone had imagined or feared. On the 26th International Bolshevik Youth Day, Latvians were again coerced. Students were ordered out into the streets. The Bolsheviks had to prove to the world that the nation and especially the youth understood and loved the new era and that they “freely and without coercion rejoiced in the establishment of Soviet power.” Compulsory demonstrations were the best method to create this falsified effect. Loudest Screamers Again, the loudest screamers and the most ardent participants were Jews, the Chosen People, and the only real voluntary demonstrators. Land Distribution Committee at Work The Land Distribution Committee at work. “Farmland, livestock and inventory will be left intact.” Although new slogans and ever louder promises issued forth, nobody believed them anymore. Not one farmer believed that Latvian agriculture would be saved from the fate of the collectivised farms in the Soviet Union. The farmers gave up. They sensed the future. So, the Bolsheviks had to lie to mask their plans as much as possible. The Minister of Agriculture lied gladly. Latvian farmers’ suspicions proved correct: farms were subdivided to give farm workers 10 hectares of land each, and minimal livestock to ensure that the new farmers would not thrive. This was the transition period to kolkhoz (collective) farms. Thus, 10,140 farmers were robbed of their land and livestock. Quickly and deliberately, according to plans from Moscow, the poison of Bolshevism was fed into the flesh of the nation. More and more the spirit of the nation’s life and vitality was threatened. Next to the screaming agitation which paralysed people in demonstrations, the Bolsheviks used widespread and colourful signs and newspaper articles to feed their ideas into schools and places of higher education, even the University of Latvia. Youth everywhere, the healthiest and most positive resource of a nation, were subjected to these pernicious ideas. New “sciences” hitherto unknown on Latvia, were created – a Chair of Marxism-Leninism. The faculties of theology and philosophy were closed, the staff fired and arrested. As new replacements were hired, their only qualifications were diplomas from the ‘Red Professorship Institute’. This institution prepared special instructors for the dissemination of Bolshevik ideas.. Often these so-called “professors” had problems with written material, but qualifications were based on the length of membership in the Communist Party and on the number of years spent in prisons. These men were chosen to be the new educators and leaders of Latvian youth. Apart from the foregoing innovations, the Latvian Communist Youth Alliance was created with the task to Bolshevise the Latvian youth. To be successful, it had to mar the spirit of youth from childhood — by having them join the ‘Pioneer‘ organisation. The wave of contradictions, lies and exploitation also swept over factory and office workers. Now they were to work according to impractical plans, goals, and targets, that could never be achieved. The Stakhanov movement created an artificial fever for raising production quotas, competitions between factories and firms to improve efficiency. This was a method to falsely mirror the wishes of the workers, compelling them often to work double time, instead of eight hours. This cruel shock movement drained and totally exploited the energy of the workers. Simultaneously, to spiritually destroy the people, the Bolsheviks undermined the support of the nation’s economic and material life.. Depositors lost their life’s savings in banks and credit unions.. This most of all hurt the small and thrifty working man. To add to the misery, houses were repossessed, industry and transportation was nationalised, the farmers’ land was taken for the collectives, and tradesmen’s tools, equipment and apartment furnishings, were also nationalised. Ironically, this entire program was called, “a fight for a better future, a fight for the ideals of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin.” The tentacles of Bolsehvism had the flesh of the nation firmly in their grip. Only one result was foreseeable – spiritual helplessness and dullness, physical weakness and overexertion, preconditions firstly for slavery and then an animal-like existence. Out on the Streets! Out on the Streets! Out on the Streets! Demonstrations! Demonstrations! Demonstrations! Such was the characteristic trademark of the Bolshevik era: shouted slogans, marches of communist supporters, locals and fifth columnists brought in from Soviet Russia, the tread of thousands of feet had to proclaim how to commemorate the day when the Dictatorship of the Proletariat was born, a day that promised paradise on earth. In reality, these marches, slogan shouting and parades, had to try to drown out the noise of a life collapsing in ruins from Bolshevik poison and lies. The reality was an indictment of the Soviet occupation that had transformed life on earth in Latvia into a hell. Job Seekers at the Labour Exchange in Riga | Ads for job openings Come wintertime, everybody was surprised by the new agitation method: Labour Exchange Ads in newspapers invited people to a Labour Exchange to fill innumerable vacancies and new jobs positions available. When long lines of the unemployed formed at the Exchange, the staff there knew nothing of these openings. Elections! Persuasion at Home January 12, 1941, was a day when Latvians were compelled to do what they did not want to – to vote for the deputies of the U.S.S.R. Higher Council (the Soviet “parliament” where, of course, there would be only one name, a communist, on the ballot). In addition to existing methods of driving out the voters, the Bolsheviks invented a new one, so-called “persuasion at home.“ Meeting of USSR Higher Council Bolshevik agents visited individual flats and apartments, then ordered in all residents to assemble in order to convince and explain to them the significance of the elections. It is not necessary to note that among the keenest visitors to these meetings were pro-communist Latvian Jews. When this method was not suitable, it was replaced by meetings in factories and at work, where the only visitors often were housewives and children. Vote Register Elections generally, under communism, one of the most underhanded and falsified methods of gauging the people’s will and conviction, on this occasion were engineered especially carefully. Everyone had to verify in advance that his name was on the register of the electorate. It was obligatory to vote. If one lacked the stamp on one’s identity documents, indicating that one had voted, one was liable to the risk of being classified as a “saboteur”. As always in this terrible time, Jews assumed key leadership roles. Volunteers Vote A “Volunteer” votes. On January 8th, 1941, the newspaper Cima wrote: “Who wishes the Latvian nation (!) the fortune of peaceful life, the joy of labour and new creation, the conviction of safety for self and family, and welfare for the nation, shall vote for the Bolshevik Party, for the candidate of the communistic and independent bloc.” But there were no other candidates! It was not possible to abstain. The inevitable results were clear! What was not clear, was to what extent this farce would ensure the safety of the Latvian nation and its families. A few months passed and the mask of hypocrisy began to drop. The malignant, bloodthirsty cynical face of Bolshevism was revealed. There was no longer any need to hide. All the harm that could be inflicted on the live flesh of the nation had been done. The nation was disarmed, morally degraded and blindly subjugated. Now could begin the preparations for annihilation. The will of the nation was again falsified. The workers “demanded death” for the so-called “murderers”, those police officers, who, while on duty during the Soviet invasion of June 17, 1940, had attempted to maintain order in the streets against the Bolshevik mobs. Workers Resolution Meeting ‘Workers Resolution’ meeting. These “workers’ resolutions” occurred in the following manner. When workers announced that their desire to do certain assignments at the rate of “shock tempo” or when they “unanimously demanded the highest degree of punishment for the bloodthirsty [police] hounds”, the procedure was always the same. A representative from the Party or the Union arrived at the factory with a prepared resolution, read it aloud at a meeting of workers and asked if anyone opposed it. People who had seen relatives and friends arrested on the slimmest of suspicion, grimly stayed silent. This meant the resolution was “passed unanimously!” It is tyrannical to murder, but worse is it to press a knife in the hand of one nation against its will for the purpose of killing its own countrymen. That was how the Bolsheviks acted. Their sadism took a form and there is not one more despicable: their method of falsifying a nation’s will, revealed a degree of callousness that few will want to forgive or forget. IT WAS CLEAR TO THE NATION WHAT OTHERS ARRESTED HAD TO EXPECT Published call for murder “No grace for murderers of workers: Masses of workers demand highest punishment for 17th June executioners.” We Stand For Peace! Subjected to Bolshevism by force, the Latvians were coerced to take upon themselves “the fulfillment of proud duty to the motherland – the Soviet Union.” Latvian youth were doomed to be recruited into the Red Army. A sign at the registration office proclaimed: “We stand for peace, but we are able to respond to the blows of warmongers.“ Red Army Registration Office “We Stand for Peace” At a colourfully decorated Red Army recruitment office Communist agents lectured recruits on how dangerous to the Soviet Union was the “capitalist siege”. [below] At one time, even the Baltic States [with a combined population of fewer than 5-million!] “threatened” the borders of the USSR. It was no secret that the Soviet Union, while professing peace, was secretly preparing for war. The Baltic States offered a favourable base for an attack on Germany, and now – in an irony of fate – it came the turn of the Baltic youth to hand over their lives to the hated Bolshevik occupiers. Political Instruction Lecture to Red Army Recruits Special attention was paid to Latvian youth. They had to become “True Bolsheviks.” Pioneer – young communist – units were formed. MOPRA, a Red assistance organisation was legalised. The Komsomol (Young Communist League) was organised, with the goal of preparing future candidates for the Communist Party. Tensions existed in classrooms. If any of the the pupils did not join the Pioneers, the communist educators considered their parents to be enemies of the socialist state. To be an “Enemy of the State” was to put oneself in grave danger. With clenched teeth, many parents suppressed their opinions and silently observed their children joining the bearers of the “New Culture.“ CHEKA Prison Corridor The historical Riga Castle was renamed the Pioneer Castle. While children in their innocent naivete enjoyed their youthful pleasures, their fathers disappeared from their homes, from their places of employment, often without a trace. For silent were the corridors of the CHEKA (the NKVD or Soviet Security Police). There was silence behind the closed doors of the prison cells. Silent were the employees of the CHEKA and the guards and silent too, were the few who, by a miracle, were able to return from the CHEKA prisons to civilian life. [Left] A corridor at the CHEKA prison. Commi Fan-Fare While the Latvian fathers continued to silently disappear, the communists continued to focus all the skill and ability of their propaganda machine, on unending demonstrations, complete with blaring signs and chanted slogans. The motley colours, exaggerated sizes of signs and, the artificial, blaring volume and noise on the one hand, sought to drown out the deep indignation, anger, despair and hatred hidden yet smouldering in the nation’ and, on the other hand, sought to cover the misdeeds and outrages flowing from the commands and orders of the new conquerors… In this respect, the May Day celebrations in Riga reached a pinnacle. People, tired from endless marches, grew indifferent. Worn out from continual social competitions and long working hours, people grew indifferent to the outside world. The communists sought to demoralise the spirit of the Latvian nation and strangle it. Banners Poster Comment: This is a great resource. It is well worth taking a look at the site.
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