Lett. Hilfspolizei is a Latvia Infantry unit in Steel Division II.
Background[ | ]
The Latvian Auxiliary Police was a paramilitary force created from Latvian volunteers. It served as death squads, carried out guard duties of strategic objects or building fortifications, and participated in anti-partisan operations.
Poorly armed and trained, most of the militiamen had no desire to fight against national partisans, and the actions in the rear frequently brought Latvians and Germans into conflict.
The 18th, 24th, and 26th Latvian Police Battalions serving in the Leningrad front were used to form the 2nd SS Volunteer Regiment of the Latvian Brigade, with the addition of the 16th Latvian Police Battalion later on. On 18 May 1943, these Latvian Battalions along with the other three Latvian Legion Battalions were incorporated into the 2nd SS Infantry Brigade, and re-designated the 2nd SS Latvian Brigade, which later became the 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian).
In 1944, six of these Latvian police battalions (20th, 23rd, 267th, 269th, 322th and 271st) fought in the Courland Pocket until capitulation.
Available Transport[ | ]
| 52. Sicherungs-Division z.b.V. | |
|---|---|
| Lett. ZiS-5V | 80 |