Kalpaks was born in a farming family. Having decided to become a soldier he completed Irkutsk military school and then commenced service with the 183rd Pultusk Infantry Regiment. He displayed talent as a commander and heroism in battle during the First World War and was awarded the most significant Russian military decorations and made Regiment Commander in 1917.
After the proclamation of Latvia's independence on 18 November 1918, Kalpaks enlisted with the Ministry of Defence. He organised the defence of Vidzeme against Bolshevik attacks. On 31 December, Kalpaks became Commander-in-Chief of all the armed units at the disposal of the Provisional Government of Latvia.
Under his leadership, Latvia's first armed formations became battle capable. On 28 February 1919, Kalpaks was awarded the rank of Colonel. From January to March 1919 the 1st Latvian Battalion fought with the German VI Reserve Corps to repel the Bolshevik raids into Kurzeme and this was the start of Latvia's struggle for liberation. On 6 March 1919 near Airītes, by mistake, Kalpaks was killed in a skirmish with German Freikorps troops.
After his death, Kalpaks was posthumously awarded Latvia's highest military award, the Order of Lāčplēsis — first, second and third class.
Although never officially assigned to this rank or position,[1] Kalpaks is regarded as the first Commander in Chief of Latvian Armed Forces.[2][3]
Kalpaks was honored on Latvian stamps in 1937 and again in 2007.[4]
Notes and referencesedit
^Pursuant to order of Minister of Defense of Latvian Provisional Government, on December 31, 1918 Lieutenant Colonel Kalpaks was assigned commander of all Latvian forces subordinated to Headquarters of Baltic Landeswehr. Mugurēvičš, Ē. (1989). "Leģenda un vēsturiskā īstenība: Pulkveža Oskara Kalpaka (1882.-1919.) dzīves ceļš un cīņu gaitas". Dzimtenes Balss. 20: 6. Memoirs of Balodis J., Gen.(ret.) (1993). . Dievturu Vēstnesis. 15: 41. Archived from the original on 2007-01-11.
^See for instance: Tēvijas Sargs 2006-09-19 at the Wayback Machine, a journal of MoD; Latvian cinematography site[dead link]; Svabe, Arveds (1949). (PDF). p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-09.
^ Unāms, Žanis (1975) [1939]. Es Viņu Pazīstu - Latviešu Biogrāfiskā Vārdnīca (I Know Them - Latvian Biographical Dictionary) (2nd ed.). Raven Printing. p. 240.
^Scott #199 and #668 - Scott (2008) "Latvia" Scott 2009 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Volume 4 (165th edition) Scott Publishing Co., Sidney, Ohio, pages 413, 421. ISBN978-0-89487-420-8
External linksedit
May 03, 2024
oskars, kalpaks, january, 1882, march, 1919, commander, latvian, independent, battalion, also, known, kalpaks, battalion, born, 1882, january, 1882meirāni, governorate, livonia, present, indrāni, parish, lubāna, municipality, latvia, died6, march, 1919, 1919, . Oskars Kalpaks 6 January 1882 6 March 1919 was the commander of 1st Latvian Independent Battalion also known as Kalpaks Battalion Oskars KalpaksOskars KalpaksBorn 1882 01 06 6 January 1882Meirani Governorate of Livonia present day Indrani parish Lubana municipality Latvia Died6 March 1919 1919 03 06 aged 37 Airite Saldus District present day Zirni parish Saldus municipality Latvia AllegianceImperial Russia Republic of LatviaService wbr branchImperial Russian Army National Armed Forces of LatviaYears of service18 January 1903 6 March 1919RankLieutenant Colonel podpalkovnik Russia Colonel LatviaUnit183rd Pultusk Infantry Regiment 1st Latvian Independent Battalion Independence battalion Commands held1st Latvian Independent BattalionBattles warsFirst World War Latvian War of IndependenceAwardsCross of St George IV degree Order of St Anna IV degree Lacplesis Military Order I Class posthumously Kalpaks was born in a farming family Having decided to become a soldier he completed Irkutsk military school and then commenced service with the 183rd Pultusk Infantry Regiment He displayed talent as a commander and heroism in battle during the First World War and was awarded the most significant Russian military decorations and made Regiment Commander in 1917 After the proclamation of Latvia s independence on 18 November 1918 Kalpaks enlisted with the Ministry of Defence He organised the defence of Vidzeme against Bolshevik attacks On 31 December Kalpaks became Commander in Chief of all the armed units at the disposal of the Provisional Government of Latvia Under his leadership Latvia s first armed formations became battle capable On 28 February 1919 Kalpaks was awarded the rank of Colonel From January to March 1919 the 1st Latvian Battalion fought with the German VI Reserve Corps to repel the Bolshevik raids into Kurzeme and this was the start of Latvia s struggle for liberation On 6 March 1919 near Airites by mistake Kalpaks was killed in a skirmish with German Freikorps troops After his death Kalpaks was posthumously awarded Latvia s highest military award the Order of Lacplesis first second and third class Although never officially assigned to this rank or position 1 Kalpaks is regarded as the first Commander in Chief of Latvian Armed Forces 2 3 Kalpaks was honored on Latvian stamps in 1937 and again in 2007 4 Notes and references edit Pursuant to order of Minister of Defense of Latvian Provisional Government on December 31 1918 Lieutenant Colonel Kalpaks was assigned commander of all Latvian forces subordinated to Headquarters of Baltic Landeswehr Mugurevics E 1989 Legenda un vesturiska isteniba Pulkveza Oskara Kalpaka 1882 1919 dzives cels un cinu gaitas Dzimtenes Balss 20 6 Memoirs of Balodis J Gen ret 1993 Atminas par Latvijas nacionalas armijas gaitam Brivibas cinas Dievturu Vestnesis 15 41 Archived from the original on 2007 01 11 See for instance Tevijas Sargs Archived 2006 09 19 at the Wayback Machine a journal of MoD Latvian cinematography site dead link Svabe Arveds 1949 The Story of Latvia A Historical Survey PDF p 39 Archived from the original PDF on 2008 05 09 Unams Zanis 1975 1939 Es Vinu Pazistu Latviesu Biografiska Vardnica I Know Them Latvian Biographical Dictionary 2nd ed Raven Printing p 240 Scott 199 and 668 Scott 2008 Latvia Scott 2009 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Volume 4 165th edition Scott Publishing Co Sidney Ohio pages 413 421 ISBN 978 0 89487 420 8External links edit Airites Colonel Oskars Kalpaks Museum Memorial site Official site for the Kalpaks memorial Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Oskars Kalpaks amp oldid 1215698596, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
