Battle of Wenden (1919)

Battle of Wenden
Part of Estonian War of Independence, Latvian War of Independence
Date 19–23 June 1919 Location Cēsis, Latvia Result Decisive Estonian victory
Belligerents
Estonia  Latvia	Baltische Landeswehr
Commanders and leaders
Ernst Põdder Jorģis Zemitāns	Alfred Fletcher
Strength
6,509 infantry 65 cavalry 106 heavy machine guns 126 light machine guns 23 artillery 3 armoured vehicles 3 armoured trains, including 2nd Latvian Cēsis regiment: 750 infantry, 8 heavy machine guns, 20 light machine guns	5,500–6,300 infantry, 500–600 cavalry, 50 heavy machine guns, 90 light machine guns, 42–48 artillery
Casualties and losses
110 dead, 295 wounded 13 dead, 30 wounded	274 dead

6,509 infantry
65 cavalry
106 heavy machine guns
126 light machine guns
23 artillery
3 armoured vehicles
3 armoured trains, including

The Battle of Cēsis (Latvian: Cēsu kaujas; Estonian: Võnnu lahing Battle of Võnnu; German: Schlacht von Wenden, Battle of Wenden), fought near Cēsis (or Võnnu, Wenden) in June 1919, was a decisive battle in the Estonian War of Independence and the Latvian War of Independence. After heavy fighting an Estonian force moving from the north, supplemented by Latvian units, repelled Baltic German attacks and went on full counter-attack.

Latvia had declared independence in 1918, but was unable to stop the advance of the Red Army, resulting in the loss of Riga. The advance of the Red Latvian Riflemen was stopped by the German VI Reserve Corps. The Reserve Corps under general Rüdiger von der Goltz consisted of the Baltische Landeswehr, the Freikorps Iron Division, and the Guard Reserve Division. The Latvian volunteers loyal to the Provisional Government were also placed under the command of the Baltische Landeswehr. On 16 April 1919, the Latvian government of Kārlis Ulmanis was toppled by the Germans, who installed a puppet German Provisional Government of Latvia headed by Andrievs Niedra. However, the Latvian Brigade led by Janis Balodis remained passively under the German command.

After recapturing Riga from the Red Army, the VI Reserve Corps continued its advance north. At the same time, the 3rd Estonian Division, having pushed the Soviets out of south Estonia, was advancing into Latvia from the north. Estonia continued to recognise the Ulmanis government, and neither side was ready to back down. On 5 June, fighting started, with the Landeswehr capturing Cēsis the following day. On June 10, with the mediation of the Allies a ceasefire was declared, but talks failed, and on 19 June fighting recommenced.

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