Bellow is a translation of the historic formation of Reichskommissariat Ostland in regards to the Latvian people.
Attention Latvians!
By decree of July 17, 1941, Adolf Hitler,
the leader of the Greater German Reich, appointed me “Reich Commissar for the Ostland.” The former Free State of Latvia is also included in this area. Likewise, by decree of the same day for the territory of the former Free State of Latvia, the Fuhrer appointed Mr. Staatsrat Oberbürgermeister Dr. Drechsler employed as Commissioner-General. General Commissioner Dr. Drechsler is responsible for the implementation of all decrees and regulations of the Reich government or my own in Latvia proper. His own decrees and ordinances within this area must also be obeyed in any case. After the area south of the Düna was taken over by the civil administration some time ago, the civil administration is now extended to the entire area of the former Free State of Latvia. I address the request to the population to make the task given to me of re-establishing order and work in these areas available with all their might and in a united manner. Bolshevism threatened all of Europe. He was on the march to invade Germany, he also inflicted the most terrible wounds on you. If this world enemy had lived with you for a few more years, then you would have had nothing left of your property and your people. The Bolshevik leaders took you to Siberia, robbed you and murdered you. With the use of their blood, the Wehrmacht of the German people defeated the Bolshevist world enemy, so everyone will understand that this German people has now taken on the duty and the right to keep things that way to make sure that no similar danger can ever again threaten the traditions of the peoples of Europe, indeed their very existence. Those who had promised you so much freedom in the last twenty years believed that the game was between the Soviet Union and the German Reich to have to pursue their policy. But at the moment when the German Reich, in view of a British attack, renounced certain areas in the East as its spheres of interest, then this attitude, which was fatal for you, all became apparent in your current form. The Soviet Union was able to invade you without resistance.
Despite everything that has been done to Germandom in terms of damage and what has happened in terms of attacks against the National Socialist German Reich, the Reich government will, in the interest of your welfare, endeavour to secure work, bread and progressive development for you. However, the German administration must demand that their orders be followed at all costs, because they only serve this one goal: the security of the country and safeguarding your life. The German administration will call on your representatives in the municipalities and cities to cooperate. If necessary, they will appoint shop stewards from your people through which your wishes can be handed over to the Reich Commissar, the General Commissar, and the regional commissars, and it will allow you to set up protective bodies for the security of your entire work and your life. I expect that the whole population will follow my instructions to heal the terrible wounds that the Bolshevist world enemy has inflicted on you too. Only then will culture and welfare arise in the future, only then will you all be able to live in peace. The German Reich gives you the opportunity to do so. It is now up to you to take advantage of this opportunity.
Riga, September 1, 1941. Lohse Reich Commissar for the Ostland.
Source: Cēsu Vēstis, Nr.10 (05.09.1941) http://www.periodika.lv/periodika2-viewer/?lang=fr#panel:pp|issue:139229|page:1
Share this post
First English Translation of Hinrich Lohse's Address to the Latvian Nation upon the Formation of Reichskommissariat Ostland
Share this post
Bellow is a translation of the historic formation of Reichskommissariat Ostland in regards to the Latvian people.
Attention Latvians!
By decree of July 17, 1941, Adolf Hitler,
the leader of the Greater German Reich, appointed me “Reich Commissar for the Ostland.” The former Free State of Latvia is also included in this area. Likewise, by decree of the same day for the territory of the former Free State of Latvia, the Fuhrer appointed Mr. Staatsrat Oberbürgermeister Dr. Drechsler employed as Commissioner-General. General Commissioner Dr. Drechsler is responsible for the implementation of all decrees and regulations of the Reich government or my own in Latvia proper. His own decrees and ordinances within this area must also be obeyed in any case. After the area south of the Düna was taken over by the civil administration some time ago, the civil administration is now extended to the entire area of the former Free State of Latvia. I address the request to the population to make the task given to me of re-establishing order and work in these areas available with all their might and in a united manner. Bolshevism threatened all of Europe. He was on the march to invade Germany, he also inflicted the most terrible wounds on you. If this world enemy had lived with you for a few more years, then you would have had nothing left of your property and your people. The Bolshevik leaders took you to Siberia, robbed you and murdered you. With the use of their blood, the Wehrmacht of the German people defeated the Bolshevist world enemy, so everyone will understand that this German people has now taken on the duty and the right to keep things that way to make sure that no similar danger can ever again threaten the traditions of the peoples of Europe, indeed their very existence. Those who had promised you so much freedom in the last twenty years believed that the game was between the Soviet Union and the German Reich to have to pursue their policy. But at the moment when the German Reich, in view of a British attack, renounced certain areas in the East as its spheres of interest, then this attitude, which was fatal for you, all became apparent in your current form. The Soviet Union was able to invade you without resistance.
Despite everything that has been done to Germandom in terms of damage and what has happened in terms of attacks against the National Socialist German Reich, the Reich government will, in the interest of your welfare, endeavour to secure work, bread and progressive development for you. However, the German administration must demand that their orders be followed at all costs, because they only serve this one goal: the security of the country and safeguarding your life. The German administration will call on your representatives in the municipalities and cities to cooperate. If necessary, they will appoint shop stewards from your people through which your wishes can be handed over to the Reich Commissar, the General Commissar, and the regional commissars, and it will allow you to set up protective bodies for the security of your entire work and your life. I expect that the whole population will follow my instructions to heal the terrible wounds that the Bolshevist world enemy has inflicted on you too. Only then will culture and welfare arise in the future, only then will you all be able to live in peace. The German Reich gives you the opportunity to do so. It is now up to you to take advantage of this opportunity.
Riga, September 1, 1941. Lohse Reich Commissar for the Ostland.
Source: Cēsu Vēstis, Nr.10 (05.09.1941) http://www.periodika.lv/periodika2-viewer/?lang=fr#panel:pp|issue:139229|page:1