After German occupation forces arrived in Aknīste around the 25th of June, they created defence groups (Schutzmänner) mainly composed of Latvians. The Aknīste group was commanded by Latvian War of Independence veteran J. Valdmanis who had fought against bolshevik forces as a partisan during the war.
Following German occupation in Aknīste on June 25th, they formed defensive units (Schutzmänner) primarily consisting of local Latvians. The Aknīste group was headed by J. Valdmanis, a former partisan who had fought against the Bolsheviks during the war.