- Zemessardze
Zemessardze (from Latvian National Guard) — is a
Latvia n volunteer military self-protecting formation, similar to GermanLandwehr . Zemessardze is a part of Latvian army and aregular force reserve.History
The Zemessardze organized in 1991 as the first defense force of the newly independent Latvia, Zemessardze's roots can be traced to a pre-WWII National Guard organization. An all-volunteer force, its initial strength was approximately 16,000 men with very little in the way of weapons, but with a fierce determination to defend the newly formed democratic Latvian government. Over the years the Zemessardze has retained its volunteer status, but has under-gone a number of reorganizations, retiring some of its older members, streamlining its organization, and closing some of its first military bases which were inherited from the
Soviet Union . Beginning in 1993, the Zemessardze formed a partnership with the United StatesMichigan State National Guard, providing the Zemessardze with help in organization and training.References
See also
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Baltische Landeswehr External links
[http://www.zemessardze.lv Zemessardze official site - www.zemessardze.lv] lv icon
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