Roberts Ancāns was born on November 11, 1919 in the Latvian town of Tiļžys (Tilza). He attended the Bruoļu Skryndu primary school in the town of Aglyunys. He continued his education, having moved to Kuorsova, finally completing his pre-university schooling in 1938. That same year, he entered the Latvejis Universitates Saimesteibys (Lativan University of Applied Sciences) where he sought to earn a degree in law. While at university, he joined the “Lacuania” student fraternity. War, however, was on the horizon and Ancāns voluntarily enlisted in the Sauszemes Spēki (Latvian Land Forces) in the fall of 1939. Unfortunately for Latvia, the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact contained a secret protocol which literally handed Latvia to the Soviet Union and on August 5, 1940, Latvia became the Latvijas Padomju Sociālistiskā Republika (Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic). There was little fighting as the Latvian military was outnumbered, outgunned, and could expect no support against the Soviet juggernaut. This, however, changed when Operation Barbarossa kicked off on June 22, 1941 and the Germans poured across the Soviet borders which included Latvia. The arrival of German forces saw Latvians rise up against the Soviets, creating numerous skirmishes which aided the Germans in pushing the Soviets out. Following this, the Germans disarmed these paramilitary forces.
Ancāns, and many other Latvians, volunteered to enlist in the Schutzmannschaften (auxiliary police units) which the Germans organized commencing in July 1941. In all, the Germans raised 47 Latvian Schutzmannschaft-Bataillonen (auxiliary police battalions). Initially put in charge of these units was Voldemārs Veiss who held the rank of Standartenführer (equivalent to a full Colonel). By September 1941, the 16.Zemgales Policejas Bataljona (16th. Zemgales Police Battalion) was formed as a combat unit rather than a rear-area policing force and in October 1940, Ancāns transferred into this unit. At this time, what combat Ancāns saw isn't well known but it is said he was within the Kholm Pocket in which a hodge-podge of German units fended off Soviet attacks from January 23, 1942 to May 5, 1942. 62 miles to the southwest, the Demyansk Pocket existed at the same time as the Kholm Pocket, lasting from February 8, 1942 to May 20, 1942. Ancāns is reported to have been decorated with the Demjanskschild (Demyansk Shield) and if this is accurate, then his presence within the Kholm Pocket would not be correct. Regardless of where Ancāns was, by this time, he held the rank of lieutenant and had been wounded during the combat which took place. Successfully evacuated and given time to convalesce, Ancāns would, by February 1943, join the newly formed 15. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Lettische Nr. 1) (15th. Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st. Latvian)) which was part of the Latviešu Leģions (Latvian Legion). By now, the Germans had begun conscription within Latvia though there were still some volunteers that came into the recruiting stations for the unit's three regiments: Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS 32 (located in Paplaka, Latvia), Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS 33 (in Vainode), and Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS 34 (in Cēsis). The division went into action on November 1943 but after fighting in the Leningrad districts of Ostrov, Novosokolniki and Novgorod Oblast, the unit had been ground down. What was left of the division retreated all the way back to Berlin, surrendering to U.S. forces between April 27, 1945 and May 2, 1945.
Ancāns, however, had transferred to the 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Lettische Nr. 2) which was created in January 1944, mainly from the Latvian troops that had been under the 2nd. SS Infantry Brigade. The unit was initially commanded by SS-Oberführer Hinrich Schuldt. Specifically, Ancāns was a SS-Untersturmführer (equivalent to a 2nd. Lieutenant) in Waffen-Feldersatz-Bataillon 19. The unit became trapped within the Courland Pocket and on December 24, 1944, Ancāns led 180 men from his battalion along with the 8./SS-Artillerie Regiment 19 to hold a vital position against Soviet attacks. This position, known as Rumbas Farm, was the meeting point between the 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS and the 21.Luftwaffen-Feld-Divisionen. The kampfgruppe repulsed four Soviet attacks which was supported by tanks, artillery, and close air support. A total of six tanks were knocked out by soldiers of which Ancāns claimed one of the destroyed tanks while the German artillery claimed three more tanks. In all, the Germans held the farm and 200 Soviet soldiers lay dead in the fields. This action earned Ancāns the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st. Class) on December 27, 1944 and he was recommended by his superiors for the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) which was approved and awarded to him on January 25, 1945. Ancāns was severely wounded and was one of the lucky soldiers that were evacuated out of the Courland Pocket before the German forces which remained surrendered to the Soviets on May 10, 1945. By now, Ancāns held the rank of SS-Obersturmführer (equivalent to a 1st. Lieutenant).
The photograph of Ancāns is from his soldbuch (pay book) as evidenced by the ink stamp marks in the upper left and lower right corners. The Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes is around his throat, the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse is on the left pocket while the ribbon for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse is seen through his feldbluse's button hole. Underneath it is the ribbon for the Ostmedaille (East Front Medal). Just visible on his right sleeve is his Panzervernichtungsabzeichen (Tank Destruction Badge). Situated above the left pocket is the Nahkampfspange in Silber (Close Combat Clasp in Silver) while the remaining medals under the Iron Cross is the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber (Infantry Assault Badge) and the Verwundetenabzeichen 1. Klasse (Wound Badge in Gold) as Ancāns had been wounded on six different occasions. Of interest is the Latvian badge seen on the right pocket of his feldbluse. This badge denoted that he graduated from the Latvian Platoon Commander's Course. It consisted of a sword and wreath with a “K“ on either side of the sword. A hand with two fingers outstretched is below the sword, the fingers touching the sword hilt. Across the top is the motto, in Latvian, “Tēvzemei un Brīvībai“ which means “For Fatherland and Freedom“ in English.
Ancāns survived the war and resided in Augsburg, West Germany. During this time, he served as an administrator for the International Refugee Organization. Ancāns immigrated to the United States in 1955, taking up residence in the state of New York where he worked as a contractor for the Otis Elevator Company. On January 1, 1982, Ancāns died in Tannersville, New York at the age of 62.
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