Estonian soldiers participated in battles along with the Latvian troops against the Landwehr and Iron Divison in direction to Riga from July 29th – August 2nd, 1919 after the famous Battles of Cēsis. A monument next to the Old Commentary of Salaspils was placed in 1929, pulled down after World War II, and renewed in 1990. The inscription says: Rest in peace in a foreign land!
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Memorial sites for Estonian soldiers, died in Salaspils Municipality during Latvian War of Independence (1919)
History of memorial sites
The three memorial sites for Estonian soldiers in Salaspils Municipality are related to the battles of Latvian War of Independence (1918-1920) near Mazā Jugla River in late June – early July, 1919. The battles took place between the forces of 3rd Division of the Estonian Army, which included the 2nd Cēsis Infantry Regiment and the Baltic Landeswehr and the Iron Division subordinated to the government of A. Niedra.
After the victory in the Battle of Cēsis (19-23 June 1919) Estonian and Latvian units continued chasing off the Baltic Landeswehr and the Iron Division forces in the direction of Riga. On the approaches to Riga, the German units resumed resistance. During the period from 24 June to 2 July 1919, battles took place in many parts near Riga, from 28 June also in the territory of Salaspils Municipality.
The territory around Cekule (Avoti), Zeltiņi, Reipiņi, Pelši, Būņas, Leikas and former Kurtenhof (today – the area of Līvzemes Street in Salaspils) was in the zone of intense military operations. On 29 June the 2nd Cēsis Regiment participated in very fierce battles at Augstais kalns, while the 3rd Regiment of the 3rd Estonian Division fought near Salaspils. On the night from July 1 to 2, the Estonians started a sudden attack and, after a fierce battle, drew off out parts of the units of Iron Division Salaspils and Kurtenhof.
On 2 July the enemy started counterattack and forced Estonian units to retreat.
In those battles, the 3rd Estonian Regiment lost 31 fallen and 106 injured soldiers.
Fighting for Riga was ceased on 3 July 1919, when the Strazdumuiža (Strasdenhof) ceasefire agreement entered into force.
There are three memorial sites to commemorate the battles of summer 1919 in Salaspils Municipality.
Cemetery of Estonian and Latvian soldiers near Avoti.
Several Latvian and Estonian soldiers, fallen during World War I (during the Battle of Jugla in 1917) and during the Latvia’s freedom battles in1919, were buried in the Brethren Cemetery on the left bank of the River Mazā Jugla, at the bridge to Avoti. The cemetery was consecrated in 1938. The memorial site was landscaped and the memorial stone was erected in 1990. Author U. Sterģis. The epitaph in Latvian and Estonian reads: “To the soldiers fallen for Latvia in 1919”.
Cemetery of Estonian soldiers near the farm “Augšskabrenes”
The monument behind the former Institute of Inorganic Chemistry was erected in the field of the farm “Augšskabrenes” in 1935. The epitaph in Latvian and Estonian reads: “To Estonian heroes fallen for the freedom of Latvia in 1919. Aizsargi (Defenders’) organisation of Salaspils, 1935”. There are buried Estonian soldiers, fallen during the attack to the plaster factory in Zeltiņi.
Cemetery of Estonian soldiers near the Old Cemetery of Salaspils
The monument near the Old Cemetery of Salaspils was erected in 1929. It was toppled after World War II and restored in 1990. The epitaph in Estonian and Latvian reads: “Rest in peace in the foreign country! To Estonian heroes fallen for the freedom of Latvia in 1919. Aizsargi (Defenders’) organisation of Salaspils, 19. VIII. 29. Renewed in 1990”
The battles of Mazā Jugla was the last significant collision of both warring parties before signature of the Strazdumuiža (Strasdenhof) ceasefire agreement on 3 July 1919.
General Krišjānis Berķis (the Commander of the 2nd Cēsis Infantry Regiment in these battles) said: “Shoulder to shoulder with our Estonian allies we had withstood the heavy battles in Northern Latvia, well aware that without each other the victory was not achievable”.
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Salaspils Municipality Self-government looks after the cemeteries of the soldiers