Cesis Battle

Cesu Battle ( Latvian. Cēsu kaujas ), also known as the Battle of Venden ( German: Schlacht von Wenden ) or the Battle of Vännu ( est. Võnnu lahing ) - one of the most important battles in the struggle for the independence of the Baltic states . The decisive part of the battle took place from June 19 to June 23, 1919 between the Estonian armed forces , which included Latvian regiments (the so-called North-Latvian Brigade), and the troops of the pro-German Latvian government Niedra , which consisted of citizens of Germany) and Baltic Landesver (consisting mainly of Baltic Germans ). The Latvian units of the Landeswehr ( South-Latvian Brigade ) maintained actual neutrality during the battles.

The battle took place in the north of Latvia , near the city of Cesis . It began on June 5, with the capture of the city by the Germans, and continued, with short breaks, until June 23, when Estonian and Latvian troops regained control of the city. The consequence of the victory at Cesis was the development of the offensive of the combined forces of Estonia and Latvia against Riga and its liberation from the Germans. German troops left Latvia, and the Baltic Landeswehr came under the control of the Latvian government .

Estonia’s victory over the Landeswehr troops gave Latvia the opportunity to strengthen itself as a nation-state and at the same time strengthened the southern border of Estonia. In modern Estonia, every year on June 23 this event is celebrated as Victory Day . In Latvia, June 22 is celebrated as Heroes Remembrance Day .