In literature, when discussing resistance or fighting behind enemy lines, authors often use the word 'partisan', which originates from the French 'partisan' – a warrior fighting on an enemy's flanks or, primarily, in their rear. Partisan warfare is fighting the enemy in small groups, with the goal of creating panic, disorganizing institutions established by the enemy, and delaying or disrupting planned operations by destroying anything of importance to military activity or enemy operations as such, for example, bridges, roads, and communication lines. Partisan activity in a territory is only possible in the long term if they have the clear support or sympathy of the local population and the partisan groups are small. A larger group would face difficulties hiding (operating in secrecy) or problems with food supply. Cooperation and understanding with the population is also crucial in terms of intelligence gathering.

Regarding the partisan movement in Europe, it was highly significant during the Napoleonic Wars in Spain (1808-1813). In Spanish lands, partisans are also known as guerrillas.

In the Latvian War of Independence, partisan operations held an important place. There were four groupings – the Latgale, Maliena, Veckalniņš, and Augškurzeme* partisan groups (popularly known as the 'forest brothers', see the publication from 11 November, or the 'greens'). Arturs Veckalniņš’s group began operating in the spring of 1919 in the vicinity of Cesvaine, as well as Cēsis and Smiltene; the Bolsheviks referred to it as the 'Green Arturs gang'. It was formed by several small, mobile units that would unite to carry out larger tasks. Their most serious clashes with the Bolsheviks were in May 1919 (Mēdzula) and in April – an attack on the Cēsis prison, which liberated about 200 Bolshevik captives.

The Augškurzeme partisans began to organize in May 1919 in the forests of Sēlija – this took place after the liberation of Riga from the Bolsheviks. There were four small groups – totaling about 80 men – from Rubene, Aknīste, Bebrene, and Laši. Initially, the groups were small, spontaneously organized, and their main goal was to protect farms and property from Bolshevik marauders as Bolshevik forces retreated from Latvia. Weaponry for the fighting was acquired in various ways – both by digging up rifles and ammunition from the ground, and by taking weapons from the enemy.

*geographically, Augškurzeme today is not associated with Augšzeme (Sēlija) or Zemgale, where these events took place, but about 100 years ago this name was used and has been preserved in many sources

(To be continued)