Krisjanis Berkis

Biography

Krisjanis Berkis was born on April 26, 1884 in Berzkrogs homestead, Islice parish, Courland. He graduated local parish school and Bauska city school. After graduation he decided to become a soldier and entered Vilnius military school. He graduated in 1906 in the rank of podporuchik. He then served in 2nd. Finnish rifleman regiment in Helsinki. During his service in Finland he married Finnish girl Hilma Lehtonen (1887-1961). In 1909 he was promoted to poruchik and in 1913 to stabskapitan.

First World War

In 1914 Berkis as an officer in Finnish corps of Russian Army is deployed to front in East Prussia. He serves as a company commander, later as battalion commander. He participated in battles near Masurian lakes. In January 1915 Finnish corps is deployed to south eastern front in Carpathians. Berkis was promoted to captain and participated in many battles, including Brusilov's offensive in 1916. In 1917 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and after many request was finally transferred to Latvian Rifleman units. He became battalion commander in 6th. Tukums Latvian rifleman regiment but since October he commanded whole regiment. With his regiment he participated in Battle of Jugla securing to main Russian units safe withdrawal from Riga. In November 1917 he refuses to join Red Army and is dissmised from his post. He goes to Finland to be with his family.

Latvian War of independence

When Finnish civil war starts in 1918 Berkis with his family goes to Smolensk, Russia. Later however he through the Latvia and Estonia returns to Finland. In autumn 1918 Berkis from the newspapers learns about proclamation on Latvian republic and forming of first military units. In March 1919 he manages to get to Tallinn where he meets delegates of Latvian government. Soon after he meets with colonel Jorgis Zemitans and on 21 March he enlists in Latvian army. He is ordered to form Latvian reserve battalion. After two months battalion hes became regiment. Later it becomes 2nd. Cesis infantry regiment and Berkis is appointed as commander. In the May 1919 regiment is deployed to front and participates in battles in Vidzeme. In 1st. June regiment enters Valmiera and later Cesis. After fighting in Battle of Cesis regiment chases retreating Germans until Strazdumiza ceasefire. In July 6 regiment, together with other Latvian units, enters Riga. In August Berkis is appointed commander of Latgale infantry division and promoted to colonel in October. He has participated in all battles against Bermontians and later also in liberation of Latgale.

Post-War years

After Latvian War of independence he stayed in the military and continued his service as commander of 3rd. Latgale infantry division. In 1925 he was promoted to general. In 1930 he graduated 8 month long officer courses. Later he was moved to Army HQ. Berkis was one of Prime Minister Karlis Ulmanis' principal co-conspirators in the coup d'etat of May 15, 1934. After coup he is appointed commander of 2nd. Vidzeme infantry division and commander of Riga garrison. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the Army from 1934 - 1940 and briefly became Minister of War in spring 1940. In his short term as minister he tried to promote Latvian cooperation with Estonia, Finland and even Great Britain, but it was too late.

After Latvian occupation he is dissmised from his post and retired from army. Together with family he manages to get to Finland however on 12 July he decides to return to Latvia. On his way back some friends manages to discourage Berkis from such move and he stops in Tallinn. There he was arrested by the Soviet authorities and deported to Perm Oblast, Siberia, where he died in a prison hospital in 1942. His only child, Valentins, died in Russia, and their grandson went missing. Berkis is recipient of the Latvian military Order of Lacplesis, 1st and 2nd class.