19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian)

19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian)

Insignia of 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian)
Active 1944–45
Country  Nazi Germany
Branch Waffen-SS
Type Infantry
Size Division
Part of VI SS Army Corps (Latvian)
Engagements World War II

The 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian) was an Infantry Division of the Waffen SS during World War II. It was the second Latvian division formed in January 1944, after its sister unit, the 15th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Latvian) with which it formed the Latvian Legion. It was surrounded in the Courland Pocket at the end of the war when it surrendered to the Red Army.

Formation

The 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian) was formed in January 1944, from 2 SS Infantry Brigade with the addition of a newly raised third regiment, Waffen Grenadier Regiment 46 (Latvian No. 6). Simultaneously, the designations of the two other grenadier regiments were changed from 39 and 40 to 42 and 43 respectively.

Commander

The commander of the 2nd SS Infantry Brigade, SS-Oberführer Hinrich Schuldt became the first commander of the division. After Schuldt was killed in action on 15 March 1944, SS-Standartenführer Friedrich-Wilhelm Bock temporarily took command, being replaced on April 13 by SS-Oberführer Bruno Streckenbach, who led the division until the end of war.

For combat history of the division and more information of Latvian units during World War II, see Latvian Legion.

See also

References

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