Latvian resistance movement

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A large number of Latvians resisted the occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany. The Latvian resistance movement was divided between the pro-independence units under the Latvian Central Council and the pro-Soviet units under the Central Staff of the Partisan Movement in Moscow. Around 22,000 deserted both from Red Army and Nazi Army during during 1943-45 in Latvia.^{[citation needed]}

The Latvian commander of the pro-Soviet units was Arturs Sproģis. However Moscow failed to create the pro-Soviet units on the large scale in 1941 - 1942. In the beginning of 1944 Sproģis reported to Moscow that only 1500 Soviet partisans were transferred to Latvia. Because of lack of local support to Soviet partisan units they were based in woods in Belarus and Russia and only made raids into Latvia, afterwards retreating to their bases across the border.^{[citation needed]}

Many local Latvians were actively involved in the resistance movement against the ethnic policies of the German occupation regime. Žanis Lipke risked his life to save more than 50 Jews.

Civic circles in Latvia were dissatisfied with the German occupation regime and secretly plotted to reinstate democracy. An underground organization was established called the Latvian Central Council, which published the outlawed publication Brīvā Latvija (Free Latvia). The periodical propagated the idea of renewing democracy in Latvia after the war.^{[citation needed]}

A large resistance movement also continued after the end of war against the Soviet regime. From 1945 to 1956, around 100,000 were involved in resistance movement.^{[citation needed]}