Krisjanis Berkis Minister of Latvia in 1940. Date of Birth: 26.04.1884 Country: Latvia

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. World War I and Latvian Independence
3. Post-Independence Military Career
4. Political Role and Arrest

Early Life and Military Career

Krišjānis Berķis was born in 1884 in Islice Parish, Courland Governorate, Imperial Russia (present-day Latvia). After graduating from school, he entered military service as a volunteer in 1903 and enrolled in the Vilna Infantry Cadet School, graduating as a second lieutenant in 1906. He was assigned to the 2nd Finnish Rifle Regiment in Helsinki. By 1909, he had been promoted to lieutenant and in 1913, he became a captain and company commander.

World War I and Latvian Independence

During World War I, Berķis fought in East Prussia and the Carpathians. In 1917, he was transferred to the Latvian Riflemen and commanded a battalion and later the 6th Tukums Latvian Rifle Regiment. He earned the ranks of captain and lieutenant colonel during this time. After the Russian Revolution, he was arrested but was released in December 1917 and fled with his family to Finland.

In 1919, Berķis returned to Latvia and joined the Latvian army. He was reinstated as a lieutenant colonel and tasked with forming an infantry battalion, which grew into a regiment within two months. He was then appointed commander of the 2nd Cesis Infantry Regiment and later the 3rd Latgale Division, playing a significant role in the fight against Bermondt's forces and the liberation of Latgale. In October 1919, he was promoted to colonel.

Post-Independence Military Career

After the War of Independence, Berķis continued to command the 3rd Latgale Division and was promoted to general in 1925. He graduated from the eight-month officer academy courses in 1930 and served in the Armed Forces staff from 1933 to 1934. In April 1934, he became commander of the Vidzeme Division and head of the Riga garrison.

He played an active role in Kārlis Ulmanis' coup d'état on May 15, 1934, and was one of Ulmanis' most trusted military confidants. From November 14, 1934, to June 20, 1940, Berķis served as Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian Army and was awarded the complete Knight's Cross of the Latvian Order of Lāčplēsis with Sword.

Political Role and Arrest

In April 1940, Berķis became Minister of War. However, in June 1940, with the Soviet occupation of Latvia, he was dismissed from all posts. He was arrested by the NKVD in July 1940 and died in custody in the Perm camp.