Battles & Campaigns · 1919
Battle of Cēsis
Cēsis, Latvia
What happened
In June 1919, German-led forces attacked Estonian and Latvian positions north of Riga. Their main attack broke through Latvian lines, but Estonian armoured trains and the Kuperjanov Battalion stopped it. On 23 June the Estonians counterattacked and retook Cēsis, and the German units retreated toward Riga.
Why it matters
It broke the pro-German forces' hold on the region. Estonian troops reached the edge of Riga, and the Latvian government of Kārlis Ulmanis was restored.
What came next
German forces were ordered to leave Latvia, though fighting resumed later in 1919.
Did you know?
Estonia celebrates the anniversary as Victory Day, a national holiday, and Latvia marks its own Victory Day at the Freedom Monument in Cēsis.
Timeline
- 19 Jun 1919The Iron Division attacks near Limbaži.
- 23 Jun 1919Estonians counterattack and retake Cēsis.
- 3 Jul 1919Estonian troops reach the outskirts of Riga.
- 11 Aug 1920Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty.