The Latvian Legion (Latvian: Latviešu leģions) was a formation of the Waffen-SS during World War II created in 1943 and consisting primarily of ethnic Latvian conscripts.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The 15th Division was administratively subordinated to the VI SS Volunteer Corps, but operationally it was in reserve or at the disposal of the XXXXIII Army Corps, 16th Army, Army Group North.[7] The 19th Division held out in the Courland Pocket until May 1945, the close of World War II, when it was among the last of Nazi Germany‘s forces to surrender. (..)

The Latvian Legion was created in January 1943 on the orders of Adolf Hitler following a request by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler. The initial core of the force was populated by Latvian Schutzmannschaft collaborationist auxiliary police battalions, which were formed several years earlier and had been previously engaged in anti-partisan duties. Many who had previously served in the notorious Arajs Kommando commando unit,[8] responsible for atrocities committed against Jews, Roma, and civilians along Latvia‘s border with the Soviet Union were transferred to the Latvian Legion.