propganda of modern day Russia, name-calling Latvian Legion soldiers “Nazis” and accusing them of “crimes against humanity” (what even Soviet propaganda in the times of highest might of the USSR was not taking liberty to do), keeps telling, that International Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal would have declared Baltic soldiers, fighting on the German side during WWII against Soviet Red Army, war criminals. Though, as it often happens with the Russian (and formerly Soviet) mass media - the truth is considerably different. Yes, indeed, Latvian Legion soldiers had their place in Nuremberg, but in a role that is quite different from what Russian mass produced disinformation is trying to depict. Everybody has seen soldiers with white helmets and white gloves standing along the walls in Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal hall. They are Americans. But only few know, that people dressed in similar uniforms - former Latvian and Estonian legionaries - were guarding imprisoned Nazis and securing facilities of Allied army. Let us see what photographic images of the time and contemporaries do tell us. "In 1946 next to English and American armies there were founded so called Guard companies. (The first one was called Viesturs company.) Legionaries were recognized as units in no way connected to the crimes of SS.” “Four companies (approx. 1000 men), including Viesturs company, in 1947 took over the guard at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice (!) and the prison!” “At their sleeves and later at their helmets there were the red-white-red national colors of Latvia” “Besides it shall be taken into account, that attitude of Allied authorities to the Nazi war criminals was very serious and consistent”. [1] ”References about the Baltic soldiers were good[...]. Almost all "viesturians" were former legionaries, therefore soldier drilling was not required, only “americanised” military code had to be adjusted to. [...] Officers and soldiers of the company were on garrison duty in several cities of Germany (from spring 1947 - were also on guard in Nuremberg Palace of Justice and the prison).” [2] "Paramilitary units of Latvians and Estonians in Germany were also working at the Nuremberg Trials (1947 - 1949), where they were guarding war criminals. [...] guard posts were located not only at the perimeter of the Palace of Justice, but also at the doors to the cells. Baltic guards were escorting inmates to the walking areas and to the interrogations. [...] Only two functions at the Nuremberg Trials were performed by American military police: escort of inmates in the court hall and to the execution (hanging).” “When Berlin crisis took place and airlift for supply of West Berlin started to operate, viesturians were transferred to the forests near the border to secure the most important field storages of the USA Army. After that Latvian guards were transferred to the surroundings of Stuttgart to guard USA Army corps headquarters".[3]
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:47:47 +0000
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