The Latvian Legion -

For many Latvians, the Legion was viewed as a "lesser evil" compared to the Soviet Union, which had brutally occupied and annexed Latvia in 1940.

: While officially named a "Volunteer Legion" to circumvent international laws against drafting occupied populations, roughly 80–85% of members were actually conscripted . The Latvian Legion

: Many soldiers joined or were conscripted with the hope of restoring Latvian independence, drawing inspiration from the 1918–1920 War of Independence where they fought off both Bolshevik and German forces. For many Latvians, the Legion was viewed as