Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Information/Queries Thread.

[CtahhR]

This is the Information/Queries thread relating to all things Latvian SSR. If you have any questions on the Latvian SSR or unidentified Latvian SSR Orders, Medals, Badges or other items post them here and questions will be answered and items identified before being moved into their own respective threads.

The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (Latvijas Padomju Sociālistiskā Republika) was founded on 21st July 1940 after Article I of the Secret Protocol of the Non-Aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union and occupation by the Workers And Peasants' Red Army on 17th June 1940 on the territory of the Republic Of Latvia (Latvijas Republika). The Latvian SSR became a republic of the Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics (Padomju Sociālistisko Republiku Savienība) on 9th August 1940 although this was not unilaterally officially recognised. The Latvian SSR was completely occupied by Greater German forces by 10th July 1941, within the first weeks of the Great Patriotic War and the territory became part of Reichskommissariat Ostland on 25th July 1941 and the Latvian people fought in armed forces of both combatants. The Greater German forces continued to occupy territory until the very end of the war (and in places even after capitulation). The Kurland pocket was host to a very strong resistance to the advancing Red Army. After the destruction caused by the Great Patriotic War the Latvian SSR was extensively collectivised and industrialised.

The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was renamed the Republic Of Latvia (Latvijas Republika) on 4th May 1990 and declared independence from the Soviet Union which was recognised on 21st August 1991. The constitution of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was also annulled on 4th May 1990 with a return to the 7th November 1922 Latvian constitution. Russian Federation forces left the Baltic Military District in August 1994.

Here we have;

#1 Flag from 25th August 1940 to 17th January 1953
#2 Flag from 17th January 1953 to 27th February 1990
#3 Flag from 27th February 1990