LATVIAN AVIATION ITEMS FROM "LATVIJAS KAREIVIS" NEWSPAPER - 1930

• JANUARY
  • January 1
    • Deruluft announces no Berlin-Karalauci-Riga-Moscow service during winter
  • January 5
    • Riga stock exchange donates 2040 Lats to the families of aviators Rucelis and Jirgenssens.
  • January 9
    • Rucelis and Jirgenssens names removed from list of active Aviation Regiment officers.
  • January 11
    • Flight instructor Major D. Collins arrives from England
    • Meteorological readings taken at Spilve airfield.
  • January 14
    • Inebriated man found unconcious near hangars at Spilve.
  • January 15
    • Estonian aviators arrive in Riga for a goodwill visit.
  • January 15
    • Visiting Estonian aviators are grounded by heavy fog and remain for an extra day.
  • January 17
    • Aviation Regiment flight school celebrates 10 year anniversary
    • Announcement that aviators will have their flight pay included in their pension calculations
    • Report on Latvian delegation's visit to Polish flight schools and squadrons.
  • January 18
    • Visiting Estonian aviators return to Tallin.
    • Private Martins Cirulis of the Aviation Regiment dies of natural causes
  • January 21
    • Aviation Regiment flight school's celebration of 10th anniversary will be postponed due to renovations of the facility
    • Sgt.Stumburs is forbidden to test fly his home-made aircraft
  • January 23
    • Edgars Alberings is injured when struck by his own taxiing aircraft at Spilve.
    • Air Traffic Board meets to adopt international air transport conventions developed at the Warsaw conference.
  • January 24
    • British aviator Maj.D.Colliers (Collins?) crashes heavily in a Sopwith at Spilve.
  • January 26
    • A note warning people not to speculate about the cause for the Jan.24 crash until the investigation report is released.
  • January 29
    • Initial report on D.Gotsalks' crash at Spilve
    • V.Jakubovs nominated for the Clifford Harmon award
  • January 30
    • Reporting that pilot D.Gotsalks has died of the wounds sustained in Jan.28 crash
    • Karlis Skribo is promoted to rank of Lt.Col.
    • Ltn. Karlis Kalacis is transferred from the Naval Aviation section to the Submarine section.
  • January 31
    • Funeral plans for D.Goltsalk. Brief bio of aviator.
• FEBRUARY
  • February 2
    • Report on funeral of D.Gotsalk.
  • February 5
    • Minister of War's response to Saeimas' questions regarding military aviation safety. (Part I)
    • Note of appreciation from widow of D.Gotsalk
  • February 6
    • Five Junkers aircraft will overfly Latvia en route to Moscow.
    • Deruluft reports that there will be no Karalauci-Kaunas-Moscow winter service (overflying Latvia)
    • Minister of War's response to Saeimas' questions regarding military aviation safety. (Part II)
  • February 15
    • Report of a minor forced landing near Spilve.
  • February 15
    • D.Gotsalks is removed from the list of active Aviation Regiment officers.
  • February 19
    • Military Order pertaining to the supply of firewood and aviation oil to Spile and other aerodromes.
  • February 22
    • Capt.Zarins has built a scale working model of a radical aircraft design.
    • Book review of aviation articles in Technikas Apskats Nr.5(24)
• MARCH
  • March 1
    • New forage cap design for mechanics in the Aviation Regiment
  • March 5
    • State approval for a lottery to raise funds for the widows and families of aviators who die in aviation-related incidents.
  • March 12
    • Reuters reports that British floatplanes will be making a tour of the Baltic this year.
  • March 14
    • Publication of the candidates credentials required in order to be considered for entry into the Regiments flight school.
  • March 16
    • Book Review - Technikas Apskats No.25 - military tactics - ground strafing
  • March 18
    • Junkers training aircraft visits Riga en route to Finland flight school
  • March 19
    • Junkers training aircraft demonstrated at Spilve.
    • Arturs Retigs transfers from 10th Aizputes Regiment to the Aviaton Regiment.
  • March 23
    • Report that the Finnish Junkers training aircraft made a forced landing en route to Finland.
  • March 29
    • Deruluft announces that its Berlin-Moscow route will go through Kaunas instead of Riga this year.
    • The British War Office requests permission for a squadron of British military aircraft to make a goodwill visit to Latvia in September.
  • March 30
    • The Regimental flight school will begin a training course for a new group of observers on April 1.
• APRIL
  • April 1
    • Report of Kleins' crash in Bristol Bulldog #71.
  • April 5
    • Riga City council asks "Deruluft" to reconsider its plans to bypass Riga on the Koenigsburg-Moscow route.
  • April 10
    • Report - the death of N.Jacuks, latvian-born aviation theoretician of the Soviet Air Force
  • April 13
    • The Latvian Cabinet considers the issue of "Deruluft"'s change of routes.
  • April 17
    • Capt Karklins publishes an article about the different types of aircraft spins.
  • April 20
    • Results of the Valmiera military sports meet, with 1st Lt.Dimza of the Naval Aviation Section winning the discus event.
  • April 24
    • Announcement that Aviation Festival for Spilve is scheduled for May 25
    • Once again, the Latvian Cabinet considers the issue of "Deruluft"'s change of routes
  • April 27
    • H.Cukurs new aircraft, the C-3, arrives at Spilve for flight performance testing.
  • April 29
    • H.Cukurs "C-3" successfully completes its first series of official tests at Spilve.
• MAY
  • May 3
    • Promotional column for the May 25 Aviation Festival at Spilve
  • May 8
    • Announcement that a squadron of American Curtiss flying boats will be visiting Riga in May and June.
    • "Deruluft" receives permission to overfly Latvian territory on its Berlin-Moscow route.
  • May 9
    • The air traffic board submits a proposal to the Minister for air traffic routing across Latvia.
  • May 16
    • The May 9 proposal is approved and published in detail.
  • May 20
    • Promotional column for the May 25 Aviation Festival at Spilve
  • May 21
    • Promotional column for the May 25 Aviation Festival at Spilve
    • Announcement that Bruno Loerzer will be attending the Aviation Festival.
  • May 22
    • Promotional column for the May 25 Aviation Festival at Spilve
  • May 23
    • Promotional column for the May 25 Aviation Festival at Spilve
    • Latvian aviators are invited to participate in International Aviation Festival at Stockholm in September 1930.
  • May 25
    • Promotional column for the May 25 Aviation Festival at Spilve
  • May 27
    • Article outlining the details of the Aviation Festival in chronological order.
    • Article with general impressions of the events at Spilve.
  • May 28
    • Skribo and Juskevics of the Aviation Regiment are given medical leave.
    • Announcement that a French fighter squadron will visit Riga twice this summer on a goodwill tour of northern Europe.
• JUNE
  • June 4
    • Announcement that Lithuanian aviators will be visitng Riga on June 11.
  • June 5
    • American aircraft are in Tallin, visiting Latvia shortly
  • June 7
    • Item about the 11th Anniversary of the Aviation Regiment.
  • June 12
    • Lithuanian aviators arrive in Riga.
  • June 13
    • Events surrounding the visit of the Lithuania aviators
  • June 14
    • Further events surrounding the visit of the Lithuanian aviators.
    • Confirmation that French squadron will be visiting Riga near end of the month.
  • June 14
    • Lithuanian aviators examine Latvian aircraft
  • June 17
    • Item about the imminent arrival of the American Curtiss-Wright aviators.
    • Lithuanian aviators depart for home.
    • Czech aerobatic aviator Malkovskis, who recently performed in Riga, dies in a crash.
  • June 18
    • American aviators scheduled to arrive this date
    • Lithuanian aviators quoted in Lithuanian press as being well-satisfied with their visit to Latvia.
  • June 19
    • American aviators arrive in Riga.
    • J.Renkulbergs of the Aviation Regiment involved in serious motor vehicle accident.
  • June 20
    • Americans perform aerobatic display
    • J.Renkulbergs regains consciousness in hospital
  • June 21
    • American aviators depart for Kaunas
    • Riga city planning committee is preparing to establish an aerodrome at Meza Park - Kisu ezers.
  • June 22
    • American aviators arrive safely in Kaunas after a flight of only 40 minutes.
  • June 26
    • A Soviet fighter aircraft mistakenly lands on Latvian territory and is seized by Latvian border guards.
    • "Deruluft" announces plans to transport certain perishable latvian food goods to Germany by air.
  • June 27
    • French aviators are expected to arrive at Spilve in a few days.
• JULY
  • July 1
    • French aviators make a goodwill visit to Riga/Spilve.
  • July 2
    • Soviet aircraft which landed in Latvia in error is permitted to return to its base.
    • French aviators depart Latvia and arrive in Tallin.
  • July 3
    • French aviators are expected to return to Riga briefly on July 4 to refuel and then continue their journey.
  • July 4
    • Aviation Regiment reports that they have completed war exercises in the Daugavpils/Rezekne region.
    • French aviators return to Riga.
  • July 5
    • Report on the French aviators return visit, after which they left for Kaunas.
  • July 11
    • Two Estonian aviation officers arrive in Riga on official business.
    • Bauska Aviation Festival, scheduled for July 15, is cancelled.
    • British businessman receives permission to make a special business flight to Riga.
  • July 12
    • Estonian aviation officers return to Tallin.
  • July 19
    • Latvian aviators report on their visit to aviation facilities in England, France and Germany.
    • It is announced that the "Graf Zeppelin" will overfly Riga on or about August 10.
  • July 23
    • A new Junkers type aircraft overflies Latvia en route from Kaunas to Moscow.
  • July 29
    • The Latvian Aviation Society announces plans to hold an Aviation Festival in Bauska on August 3.
• AUGUST
  • August 3
    • Book Review - report on aviation articles in Technikas Apskats No.3 (27)
  • August 4
    • Fatal training accident at Daugavpils
    • Aviation Festival at Bauska
  • August 6
    • "Graf Zeppelin" will overfly Riga on August 12
    • Item honoring cadet who died in the August 3 incident at Daugavpils.
  • August 8
    • Report on the funeral of J.Lukins
  • August 10
    • Naval Aviation Regiment personnel participating in Liepaja sports competition.
  • August 12
    • Finnish aviators make a goodwill visit to Riga
    • Details regarding "Graf Zeppelin" flight over RIga
  • August 13
    • Announcement that Latvian aviators will be making a goodwill flight around Europe.
    • Finnish aviators visiting in Riga
    • "Graf Zeppelin" flight cancelled due to poor weather
  • August 14
    • Finnish aviators complete their visit to Latvia and return to Helsinki
  • August 15
    • Disciplinary ruling regarding Dec.3 incident at Daugavpils
  • August 19
    • Personnel selected for the goodwill Flight Around Europe
    • Aviation Festival announced for August 24 in Cesis
  • August 20
    • Itinerary for the goodwill Flight Around Europe
    • Two Japanese pilots will overfly Latvia en route to Moscow
  • August 21
    • "Graf Zeppelin" flight over Riga once again postponed due to poor weather
  • August 23
    • Flight student Adolfs Krastins dies in a training crash at Spilve
  • August 24
    • Report on causes of August 23 crash at Spilve
    • Published death notices for Adolfs Krastins
  • August 26
    • Two reports on preparations for the goodwill Flight Around Europe
    • Anniversary of the Naval Aviation Section
    • The funeral of Adolfs Krastins
    • Photo of He-4 seaplanes in Liepaja.
  • August 27
    • Report on preparations for the goodwill Flight Around Europe
  • August 28
    • Despite some delays in approvals and paperwork, the Flight Around Europe will begin Saturday, as scheduled.
    • Report on the August 22 crash at Spilve
  • August 30
    • Latvian aviators depart on the goodwill Flight Around Europe
    • "Graf Zeppelin" flight over Latvia rescheduled to Sept. 8 or 9
    • Artillery officers visit with the Naval Aviation Unit
  • August 31
    • Lt.Col. Korobovskis graduates from officer training program
    • Map of Flight Around Europe route
    • Latvian aviators arrive in Kaunas
• SEPTEMBER
  • September 3
    • Latvian aviators arrive in Prague
  • September 4
    • Progress report on the Flight Around Europe
  • September 5
    • Latvian aviators arrive in Vienna, then continue to Budapest.
    • Announcement that French aviators Goulette and Laloulette will visit Riga later in September.
  • September 6
    • Latvian aviators arrive in Belgrade.
  • September 7
    • Latvian aviators arrive in Warsaw
  • September 9
    • Latvian aviators completed their Flight Around Europe, returning to Riga.
    • British flying boats begin their Baltic tour.
  • September 10
    • Comment regarding the lack of official reception for the aviators upon their return to Riga.
  • September 11
    • Adolf Krastins, who died in August, is removed from the register of active military officers.
    • 1st Lt. Sterndoks attempts suicide.
  • September 12
    • German Zeppelin overflies Daugavpils while flying to and from Moscow.
  • September 13
    • Further information about the British flying boats scheduled to visit Riga.
  • September 14
    • The Zeppelin which flew to Moscow was reportedly fired upon by Soviet border guards.
    • "Deruluft" confirms that the Berlin-Leningrad air route will continue until at least mid-October.
  • September 16
    • Officially, the gunshots heard when the Zeppelin flew over the Soviet border are reported to have been "salutes".
    • Progress report on the British flying boat tour.
    • Romanian embassy reports that the latvian aviators were not met at the Bucharest airport because of a miscommunication.
  • September 17
    • Flight training accident at Salaspils - no casualties.
    • Further details regarding the previously reported issues when the Latvians visited Bucharest.
  • September 18
    • British flying boats expected to arrive in Riga today
    • Official order of Commendation for the aviators who completed the Flight around Europe.
    • Polish aviators, in flying boats, will visit Liepaja at the end of September.
  • September 19
    • British aviators arrive in Riga
    • "Deruluft" workshop burns at Spilve.
  • September 20
    • British aviators visiting Riga
    • The Riga airport authority will replace the workshops which burned at Spilve.
    • "Graf Zeppelin" visit now rescheduled to Sept 24 or 25,
  • September 21
    • British aviators have departed from Riga.
    • Further details regarding the "Graf Zeppelin" visit.
  • September 23
    • British express their appreciation for the reception their aviators received in Riga.
  • September 24
    • "Graf Zeppelin" has departed Friedrichshafen en route to Riga.
  • September 25
    • "Graf Zeppelin" overflies Riga
  • September 26
    • "Graf Zeppelin" returns safely to Germany.
  • September 27
    • "Deruluft" aircraft makes forced landing en route to Riga.
  • September 30
    • Polish aviators and their flying boats visit Liepaja.
• OCTOBER
  • October 7
    • Germany advises Latvia that Balloons from a Balloon meet at Breslava may be blown to Latvia.
    • Aviation Regiment commander expresses thanks for prizes donated for the Regiment's shooting contests.
  • October 12
    • A sport aircraft appears to have been abandoned in a field near Cesis.
  • October 16
    • "Deruluft" ceases passenager and mail flight through the Baltics for the winter.
  • October 25
    • Riga City Council considers replacement of the workshop which burned down at Spilve.
  • October 26
    • It is announced that, upon recovery from his suicide attempt, Sterndoks will return to the Aviation Regiment.
  • October 31
    • Report on the first flight of the AVDI.
• NOVEMBER
  • November 18
    • Promotions announced for J.Indans and K.Kalacis
  • November 26
    • Aviation Regiment advertises for a full-time tailor
  • November 29
    • Clarification of the circumstances surrounding a recent floatplane incident at Liepaja
• DECEMBER
  • December 4
    • Sgt.Lodzins crashes heavily at Spilve in Bristol Bulldog #73
  • December 5
    • Investigation of the recent crash at Spilve
  • December 6
    • Announcement that Sgt.Lodzins has died of injuries sustained in the Dec.3 crash.
  • December 7
    • P.Lodzins death notices
    • Poem (by J.Freifelds) dedicated to P.Lodzins
  • December 9
    • Report on the funeral of P.Lodzins.
  • December 10
    • Results of Naval Aviation section's marksmanship competition.
    • Note of appreciation from Lt.Col.Jakubovs to those who donated prizes for the marksmanship competition.
  • December 14
    • Sgt.J.Stankevics of Aviation Regiment is shot by street criminals.
  • December 18
    • Paul Reinhard successfully completes officer training examinations.
  • December 25
    • F.Launics is selected as the safest / best pilot in the Aviation Regiment, with Lt.Blaus coming in second place.