Gustavs Celmins

Gustavs Celmins (April 1, 1899 ? April 10, 1968) - politician, Latvian fascist leader.

Related Topics:
April 1 - 1899 - April 10 - 1968 - Latvia - Fascist

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Born in Riga. Educated in commerce school of Riga stock exchange, absolved in Moscow. 1917 started studies in Riga Polytechnics Institute which had been evacuated to Moscow. After October Revolution returned to Latvia.

Related Topics:
Riga - Moscow - 1917 - Riga Polytechnics Institute - October Revolution

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1918 enlisted into Latvian army. 1919 promoted to lieutenant. Was Latvian military attache in Poland. 1921 awarded the Order of Bear Slayer. Retired from army in 1924.

Related Topics:
1918 - 1919 - Lieutenant - Poland - 1921 - 1924

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From 1925 to 1927 worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Was the secretary of Minister of Foreign Affairs. After that he worked in the Finance Ministry.

Related Topics:
1925 - 1927

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In January 24, 1932, Latvian national unity Ugunskrusts was founded and Gustavs Celmins was elected as its leader. After Ugunskrusts was closed, he founded the organization Perkonkrusts (Thundercross).

Related Topics:
January 24 - 1932 - Ugunskrusts - Perkonkrusts

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After the May 15, 1934 coup of Karlis Ulmanis Gustavs Celmins was arrested and imprisioned for three years. In 1937 he was banished from Latvia.

Related Topics:
May 15 - 1934 - Coup - Karlis Ulmanis - 1937

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After banishment Celmins lived in Italy and Switzerland. In Zurich he was arrested and banished from Switzerland. Later he lived in Romania, where he had contacts with Iron Guard, from where he moved to Finland. From 1938 was the leader of Foreign contacts office of Perkonkrusts.

Related Topics:
Italy - Switzerland - Zurich - Romania - Iron Guard - Finland - 1938

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After the Soviet Union invasion in Finland fought as volunteer in the Winter War for the Finns. After the end of the war he moved to Germany.

Related Topics:
Soviet Union - Finland - Winter War - Germany

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In July 1941 together with Nazi's returned to Latvia and regained leadership of Perkonkrusts.

Related Topics:
July - 1941 - Nazi

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On March 14, 1944 he was arrested by the Gestapo for underground activities and sent to Concentration camps. Liberated by American 5th army.

Related Topics:
March 14 - 1944 - Gestapo - Concentration camps

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After World War II he lived in Italy, where he published the newspaper Briva Latvija (Free Latvia). In 1947 he published the autobiographic book "Eiropas krustcelos" (In crossroads of Europe).

Related Topics:
World War II - Italy - Briva Latvija - 1947

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