Last modified: 2003-07-18 by dov gutterman
Keywords: latvia | zemessadze |
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from <www.campadazi.mil.lv>,
located by Talis Tomass, 11 July 2003
From this site: "Mobilo strelnieku brigade - Squad of
mobile (motorized?) riflemans. - Flag presented by Canadian
"Daugavas vanagi" union. Official introduction was
November 11 1996. Front side is white with small CoA [really
- middle CoA] of Latvia in centre. Above is is golden
inscription "Mobilo strelnieku brigade", on bottom -
"Riga 1995. 10 II.". Opposite side in Latvian red with
embleme of Defence forces [not sure] and motto "Labak savu
galvu devu, neka savu tevu zemi". In corners of both sides
are epaulets of SMR."
Gvido Petersons, 17 July 2003
Zemessadze Is a kind of National Guard, see <www.mod.lv>:
"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. Today the Zemessardze
consists of approximately 14,000 men. To meet planned
mobilization requirements, the Zemessardze will be undergoing
still more organizational changes, which will ultimately increase
its combat capability and streamline its structure. Beginning in
1993, the Zemessardze formed a partnership with the United States
Michigan State National Guard, providing the Zemessardze with
enormous help in organization and training. The high degree of
support by the officials of the Michigan National Guard and by
the State."
Jarig Bakker, 21 June 2002