Born on May 29, 1900, in Jaunpils, Nikolaiš Būlmanis graduated from Alexander II University in 1918. In May 1919, he volunteered for the Latvian army, fighting with the “student” company of the Kalpaks battalion. On the 20th of the same month, he was wounded in his right arm.
In November 1919, he was sent to military college, graduating on May 20, 1920, with the rank of lieutenant. He was assigned to the 2nd Ventspils Infantry Regiment, but in 1924, he volunteered for aviation.
Joining the Latvian Air Force
On November 25, 1926, Būlmanis earned his pilot “wings,” mastering the Sopwith Strutter, Avro, Albatros, and Martinsyde ADC aircraft. From March to June 1927, he completed a training course in Bordeaux, France. From July, he commanded a reconnaissance squadron.
In 1928, he was promoted to captain and transferred as an instructor to the flight school. On September 10, 1928, he crashed in a DFW C.V #3. He was hospitalized until October 9, and the aircraft was written off.
Advanced Training and Command Roles
In August-September 1929, he was part of the Latvian military delegation in Sweden. From February 1930, he began flying with the 1st Fighter Squadron. From 1931-1933, he completed a training course at the Belgian Military Academy.
In 1936, he participated in testing new aircraft for the Air Force. Specifically, he was the first to fly the Potez XXV, RWD 8, R.XIII, Stampe & Vertongen SV5, and Gloster Gladiator. From 1939, he headed the flight school.
Wartime Leadership and Post-War Life
Būlmanis successfully survived the Soviet occupation. On August 22, 1944, he led NSG 12, becoming the de facto organizer of this Latvian aviation unit. In December 1944, after NSG 12 was disbanded, he was assigned to the 15th Latvian Division. However, after the very first medical examination, he was discharged into the reserve.
He left for Germany with his family and, closer to the end of the war, moved to the French occupation zone of Austria. In 1947-1948, he lived in Belgium, holding several leadership positions in the Air Force. In 1950, he emigrated to Canada to join his son.
Nikolaiš Būlmanis died in 1990 in Toronto, Canada.