Jānis Balodis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jānis Balodis
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Jānis Balodis
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| Born | 20 February 1881 Trikāta parish, Valka District, Governorate of Livonia |
| Died | 8 August 1965 (aged 84) Saulkrasti, Latvian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Russian Empire (1898–1917) Latvia (1918–1921) |
| Service/ |
Imperial Russian Army Latvian Army |
| Years of service | 1898–1921 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Russo-Japanese War First World War Latvian War of Independence |
| Awards | Order of Lāčplēsis |
Jānis Balodis (born February 20, 1881 – died August 8, 1965) was an important Latvian army general and politician. He was the Commander-in-Chief of Latvia's armed forces from 1919 to 1921. He also served as the Minister of War for many years (1931–1940). Balodis played a key role in the Latvian War of Independence. He was also a leading figure during the time when Kārlis Ulmanis was in charge of the government.
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Jānis Balodis: A Latvian Hero
Jānis Balodis was a brave military leader and a key politician in Latvia. He helped shape the country during its early years of independence. His journey from a soldier to a general and then a government minister shows his dedication to Latvia.
Early Life and Military Career
Jānis Balodis was born on February 20, 1881. His father was a historian and teacher. In 1898, Jānis joined the Imperial Russian Army. He studied at the Vilnius War School from 1900 to 1902.
Balodis fought in the Russo-Japanese War from 1904 to 1905. He was seriously wounded in his arm during this war. Later, he served in Vilnius until 1914. When World War I began, he was again wounded in battles in East Prussia. He received several awards for his bravery. In February 1915, while recovering, German soldiers captured him. He spent the rest of the war in a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp.
Fighting for Latvia's Independence
After World War I ended in November 1918, Balodis returned to Latvia. He quickly joined the first armed groups of the new Republic of Latvia. In January 1919, he had to retreat from Riga with the army and government as the Red Army advanced.
Balodis quickly rose through the ranks. In February 1919, he became a Lieutenant Colonel. After the death of another leader, Oskars Kalpaks, in March 1919, Balodis was promoted to Colonel. He then took command of the small Latvian forces in Courland.
During the spring of 1919, his troops won many battles against the Red Army. Balodis was given command over larger groups of soldiers. He led the Southern Group of the armed forces. In the second half of 1919, he led the 1st Courland division in battles against the Red Army in Latgale.
In October 1919, Balodis was appointed the Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian army. This happened during a difficult time when the West Russian Volunteer Army (Bermontians) suddenly attacked. After leading his forces to victory over the Bermontians, Balodis was promoted to General in January 1920.
A Leader in Government
After the Latvian War of Independence ended, the role of Commander-in-Chief was removed in February 1921. Balodis then left the army in July of that year. The Latvian Parliament (Saeima) gave him a special gift of land and a manor house.
He joined the Latvian Farmers Union, which was the biggest political party at the time. This party was led by Kārlis Ulmanis. Balodis was elected to the Saeima in 1925. He became the Minister of War on December 7, 1931, and held this position until April 5, 1940.
In 1933, Balodis and Kārlis Ulmanis often discussed the need for a stronger government. As Minister of War, Balodis played a key role in the 1934 Latvian coup d'état on May 15, 1934. This event led to the declaration of martial law and the dissolving of the Saeima. Balodis and Ulmanis were the two people who signed this important announcement.
During the years that followed, when Ulmanis led the country with strong authority, Balodis was always by his side. People saw them as a powerful duo. Balodis's main role was in military matters. He also became Vice President in 1936 and Deputy Prime Minister in 1938.
Later Life and Challenges
In October 1939, Latvia signed a treaty with the Soviet Union. This made Latvia almost like a protectorate of the Soviet Union. Tensions grew within the government. On April 5, 1940, Balodis was removed from all his government positions. The official reason was not clearly explained.
Soon after the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940, Balodis and his wife were arrested on July 31, 1940. They were sent away to Syzran in Russia and kept under house arrest. When the war between Germany and the Soviet Union started in 1941, they were moved to Kuibishev. In 1952, he was formally tried and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was held in a jail in Vladimir.
In 1956, during a period of change in the Soviet Union, he was released. Balodis was allowed to return to Latvia. He and his wife received a small apartment in Riga. They also spent time at a summer house in Saulkrasti. In August 1965, his health failed, and he passed away on August 8. General Balodis was buried in Riga. His wife managed to place a tombstone with a sword and the words "General Balodis" on it, but it was later removed by the KGB.
Awards and Recognition
Jānis Balodis received many important medals and awards for his service:
- Order of St. Stanislaus, 2nd class with swords, 1914.
- Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class with swords, 1915.
- Order of St. Anna, 2nd class with swords.
- Order of Lāčplēsis, 3rd, 2nd and 1st class.
- Order of the Three Stars, 1st class, 1929.
- Order of Viesturs, 1st class with swords, 1938.
- Aizsargi Cross of Merit.
- Commandeur of France's Legion of Honour.
- Britain's Order of St Michael and St George.
- Order of the White Rose of Finland, 1st class.
- Estonia's Cross of Liberty, 1st class of Grade 1, 1921.
- Estonia's Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 1st class, 1932.
- Poland's Virtuti Militari, 5th class.
- Lithuania's Order of Vytautas the Great.
- Italy's Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, 1st class.
