[1] During the occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany, Dankers was appointed head of the German-controlled Latvian Self-Government.

Dankers joined the 180th infantry regiment of the Russian Imperial Army, which was deployed in Jelgava.

He graduated from the Vilnius Military Academy in 1906 and continued service in the 197th infantry regiment of the Russian Army, deployed near Helsinki.

He started as an officer of special tasks at the headquarters of Jorģis Zemitāns and participated in the formation of new Latvian troops.

In January 1940, he left the post as commander of Kurzeme Division and in June (two days after the Soviet occupation), he went to Germany with his family.

When Germany initiated war with the USSR in 1941, he returned to (Reichskommissariat Ostland), Latvia, where he held several high posts in the German-made Latvian Self-Administration [ru].

[3] In September 1944 he and his family left Latvia for Germany, where he was interned in 1945 by the United States forces.