Free Latvian Flotilla that Fought for the Allies Flying the National Colors (1940-1945)
According to the official history, Latvia did not participate in World War 2. Placed, along with Lithuania and Estonia, in the Soviet sphere of influence by Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact on August 23, 1939, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in August of 1940 and thus ceased to exist as a sovereign nation until the summer of 1991. Between 1941 and 1945, thousands of Latvians participated in World War 2 but they did it under foreign flags (predominantly German or Soviet ones), wearing foreign uniforms and risking their lives and health for other countries’ goals.
Many of those who are interested in the events of World War 2, know that quite a few Latvians got involved in the darkest chapters of European history: collaboration with the Nazis and the Soviets (much less than with the Soviets than with the Nazis though) and participation in war crimes against various peoples of the area including their own.
However, and that is quite unfortunate, not too many people even in Latvia, are aware of the fact that a small Latvian fleet (8 ships altogether) participated in combat actions in the Atlantic Ocean side by side with the Allies. Click here to continue.