/specialCollection/nwcda2/27/LAUNAGS, FREDS VOL. 1/LAUNAGS, FREDS VOL. 1_0015.pdf

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It should be noted here that a katwtfr as the Kurelis
group after its commanding officer former Latvian GenaralIKurelis, was formed
with the sanction of the German authorities. This group, the same as ?FS, was
under the direction and supervision of the 212th Comb. Int. group through which
both groups were also supplied. The ultimate assignment of this group was the
same as that of the PPS, thoughcriginally the Kurelis group was assigned the
task of assisting the German Army to protect Riga from a Russian attack. Jansons
attempted t unite the PPS and the Kurelis group by talking to Kurelis chief of
(staffs: Capt. Upelnieks, who opposed such unification because, according to Upelnieks
the PPS was too much under German control and hence not as nationalistic a body
as the Nepalis group. (Hahn and other PPS members differed with this opinion.)
Later, in Kurzeme, in the beginning of November 1944 the Germans discovered
several activities of the Kurelis group which to them seemed peculiar:
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a. Fearing a complete collapse of the German lines in Latvia, the
majority of the 212th CoMb. Int. group returned to Germany. The Kurelia gra410'
considered this as an indication that their responsibility to defend their country
had begun. Consequently, the Kurelis group proclaimed itself as the core of the
Latvian National Army and requested all Latvians to appear for service for their
.country. .. .
b. The result of this proclamation was that a considerable nuMber Of
Latvians joined Kurelis forces. However, many of these were -- as Kurelis Hqtrs
later admitted-- communist agents . and deserters fram the Latvian Legion.
The Chaos, which the fear of a collapse of. the front had created, subsided
aen the German Army and the Latvian Legion were able to stabilize the line.
This enabled the German authorities to consider Kere/is.activities further and
Security . InIcrme!'on
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