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Rudiger von der GoltzGerman general, Count
Date of Birth: 08.12.1865
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Von der Goltz: German General and Military Leader
- Involvement in the Finnish Civil War
- Command in the Baltics
- Occupation of Latvia and Riga
- Opposition to the Weimar Republic
- During German Occupation of Latvia
- Later Years and Death
Von der Goltz: German General and Military Leader
Early Life and Military CareerRüdiger Graf von der Goltz was born into the noble Goltz family in Prussia. He joined the German military and rose through the ranks, reaching the rank of commander of the "Ostsee Division" during World War I.
Involvement in the Finnish Civil War
In 1918, von der Goltz led a German expeditionary force to Finland to support the bourgeois government in their civil war. He played a pivotal role in organizing the Finnish army and supported the policies of General C.G.E. Mannerheim.
Command in the Baltics
After his recall from Finland, von der Goltz returned to the Baltics and became the commander of the anti-Bolshevik forces in Latvia. He aimed to establish a Baltic Duchy and clashed with the Latvian government, disarming their national troops and replacing Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis with his own puppet, Andrievs Niedra.
Occupation of Latvia and Riga
Under Von der Goltz's command, German forces occupied Courland and captured Riga in 1919. However, due to pressure from the Allies, he was eventually recalled by the Weimar Republic.
Opposition to the Weimar Republic
In Germany, von der Goltz became an opponent of the Weimar Republic and participated in the Kapp Putsch in 1920. He later held a well-paid but largely symbolic position as the head of the Imperial Union of German Officers.
During German Occupation of Latvia
During the German occupation of Latvia from 1941 to 1944, a boulevard in Riga was named after von der Goltz.
Later Years and Death
After the end of the war, von der Goltz retired to his estate in Upper Bavaria. He died from a stroke on November 4, 1946.
