The fate of Estonia in World War II was decided by the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact and its Secret Additional Protocol of August 1939. Molotov redirects here For other uses see Molotov (disambiguation. Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

World War II losses in Estonia, estimated at around 25%, were among the highest in Europe. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including War and occupation deaths have been estimated at 90,000. These include the Soviet deportations in 1941, the German deportations and Holocaust victims. As the Soviet Union had occupied Estonia in 1940 and retaken it from Nazi Germany again in 1944 tens of thousands of Estonia's citizens suffered deportation The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as ^[1]

World War II began with the invasion and subsequent partition of an important regional ally of Estonia — Poland, by a joint operation of Nazi Germany and Soviet Union. The history of Poland from 1939 to 1945 encompasses the German invasion of Poland through to the end of World War II Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991

Contents 1 Preface 1.1 Kellogg-Briand Pact 1.2 Non-aggression treaty 1.3 The Convention for the Definition of Aggression 1.4 Declaration of Neutrality 2 The Beginning of World War II 3 Soviet occupation 3.1 Soviet regime of terror 3.2 Soviet repression of ethnic Russians 3.3 Historical Soviet sources 4 German occupation 4.1 Estonian military units in 1941-1944 4.2 Estonian Rifle Corps in the Red Army 4.3 The Holocaust 5 Soviet return 6 Controversies 6.1 The position of the European Court of Human Rights 6.2 Position of the Estonian government 6.3 Governments of the Western democracies 6.4 Position of the Russian government 6.5 Positions of the soldiers from both sides 7 References

Preface

Before the World War II, the Republic of Estonia and USSR had both signed and ratified following treaties:

Kellogg-Briand Pact

August 27, 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact renouncing war as an instrument of national policy Ratified by Estonia and USSR on July 24, 1929^[2]

Non-aggression treaty

With USSR on May 4, 1932^[3]

The Convention for the Definition of Aggression

On July 3, 1933 for the first time in the history of international relations, aggression was defined in a binding treaty signed at the Soviet Embassy in London by USSR and among others, The Republic of Estonia. Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Events 479 BC - Greco-Persian Wars: Persian forces led by Mardonius are routed by Pausanias, the Spartan Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Kellogg-Briand Pact, also known as the Pact of Paris, after the city where it was signed on August 27, 1928, was an international treaty "providing Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In Psychology and other social and Behavioral sciences aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. ^[4][5]

Article II defines forms of aggression. There shall be recognized as an aggressor that State which shall be the first to have committed one of the following actions:

Relevant chapters:

• Second — invasion by armed forces of the territory of another State even without a declaration of war.
• Fourth — a naval blockade of coasts or ports of another State.

Declaration of Neutrality

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania jointly declared their neutrality on November 18, 1938, in Riga, at the Conference of Baltic Foreign Ministers with their respective parliaments passing neutrality laws later that year. Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Estonia passed a law ratifying its neutrality on December 1st, 1938, which was modelled on Sweden's declaration of neutrality of May 29, 1938. ^[6] Also importantly, Estonia had asserted its neutrality in its very first constitution, as well as the Treaty of Tartu concluded in 1920 between Republic of Estonia and the Russian SFSR. A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity Tartu Peace Treaty ( Estonian: Tartu rahu, literally "Tartu peace" or Treaty of Tartu was a peace treaty between Estonia and Russian Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region

The Beginning of World War II

• September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Invasion of Poland (1939 precipitated World War II. It was carried out by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small German-allied
• September 3, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand declare war on Germany. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius The Phoney War, also called the Twilight War by Winston Churchill, der Sitzkrieg in German ("the sitting war" a
• September 14, the Polish submarine ORP Orzeł reached Tallinn, Estonia. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. History Orzeł was laid down 14 August 1936 at the Dutch Shipyard De Schelde launched on 15 January 1938 Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region
• September 17, Soviet Union attacked Poland. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec The 1939 Soviet invasion of Poland was a military operation that started without a formal declaration of war on 17 September 1939 during the early stages of World War II, sixteen
• September 18, Orzeł incident, the Polish submarine escaped from internment in Tallinn and eventually made her way to the United Kingdom, Estonia's neutrality questioned by the Soviet Union and Germany. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated The Orzeł incident was an incident at the beginning of World War II in which the Polish submarine ORP ''Orzeł'' escaped from internment in Tallinn, Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people commonly in large groups without trial The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

On September 24, 1939, with the fall of Poland to Nazi Germany and USSR imminent and in light of the Orzeł incident, the Moscow press and radio started violently attacking Estonia as "hostile" to the Soviet Union. History Orzeł was laid down 14 August 1936 at the Dutch Shipyard De Schelde launched on 15 January 1938 Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Orzeł incident was an incident at the beginning of World War II in which the Polish submarine ORP ''Orzeł'' escaped from internment in Tallinn, Warships of the Red Navy appeared off Estonian ports, Soviet bombers began a threatening patrol over Tallinn and the nearby countryside. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names ^[7] Moscow demanded that Estonia allow the USSR to establish military bases and station 25,000 troops on Estonian soil for the duration of the European war. ^[8] The government of Estonia accepted the ultimatum signing the corresponding agreement on September 28. 1939.

The Pact was made for ten years:

• 1) Estonia granted the USSR the right to maintain naval bases and airfields protected by Red Army troops on the strategic islands dominating Tallinn, the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Riga;
• 2) Soviet Union agreed to increase her annual trade turnover with Estonia and to give Estonia facilities in case the Baltic is closed to her goods for trading with the outside world via Soviet ports on the Black Sea and White Sea;
• 3) USSR and Estonia undertook to defend each other from "aggression arising on the part of any great European power"
• 4) It was declared: the Pact "should not affect" the "economic systems and state organizations" of USSR and Estonia. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya The Gulf of Finland ( Finnish: Suomenlahti, Russian: Финский залив, Finskiy zaliv, Swedish: Finska viken The Gulf of Riga, or Bay of Riga, is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia. ^[7]

There is no consensus in Estonian society about the decisions that the leadership of the Republic of Estonia made at that time. ^[9]

When the Soviet troops marched into Estonia the guns of both nations gave mutual salutes, bands played both the Estonian anthem and the Internationale, the anthem of USSR at the time. ^[10]

Similar demands were forwarded to Finland, Latvia and Lithuania. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Finland resisted,^[11] and was attacked by the Soviet Union on November 30. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats ^[12] Because the attack was judged as illegal, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations on December 14. The League of Nations was an International organization founded as a result of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919–1920 ^[13] Finland held out in the Winter War until March 1940, when the Moscow Peace Treaty was signed. The Winter War (Talvisota Советско-финляндская война - official Зимняя война - unofficial Vinterkriget began when the The Moscow Peace Treaty was signed by Finland and the Soviet Union on March 12, 1940, and the ratifications were exchanged on March 21

The first population loss for Estonia was the repatriation of about 12,000-18,000 Baltic Germans to Germany. The Baltic Germans (Deutschbalten or Baltendeutsche) were mostly ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today ^[9][14]

Soviet occupation

See also: Occupation of Baltic states

In summer 1940 the occupation of Estonia was carried through as a regular military operation. The occupation of the Baltic states refers to the occupation of the Baltic states ( Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) first by the This article describes three distinct but related terms military operations Operations as military events and operational level of war 160,000 men, supported by 600 tanks were concentrated for the invasion into Estonia. 5 divisions of the Soviet Air Force with 1150 aircraft blockaded the whole Baltic air space against Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. The Soviet Air Force, also known under the abbreviation VVS, transliterated from Russian: ВВС, Военно-воздушные силы ( Voenno-Vozdushnye The Soviet Baltic Fleet blockaded the operation from the sea. The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - (Дважды Краснознамённый Балтийский флот was the Imperial later Soviet and is now the Russian Navy's The Soviet NKVD was ordered to be ready for the reception of 58,000 prisoners of war. The NKVD ( НКВД, ru Народный Комиссариат Внутренних Дел ''Narodnyy Komissariat Vnutrennikh Del'') or People's Commissariat ^[9]

On June 12, 1940 the order for a total military blockade on Estonia to the Soviet Baltic Fleet was given: according to the director of the Russian State Archive of the Naval Department Pavel Petrov (C. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - (Дважды Краснознамённый Балтийский флот was the Imperial later Soviet and is now the Russian Navy's Phil. ) referring to the records in the archive^[15][16]

On June 14 while the world’s attention was focused on the fall of Paris to Nazi Germany a day earlier, the Soviet military blockade on Estonia went into effect. Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Two Soviet bombers downed Finnish passenger airplane "Kaleva" flying from Tallinn to Helsinki carrying three diplomatic pouches from the U. Kaleva was a Junkers Ju 52 transport plane belonging to the Finnish carrier Aero O/Y. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Helsinki (in Finnish;) or Helsingfors (in Swedish;) is the Capital and largest city of Finland. S. legations in Tallinn, Riga and Helsinki and over 120 kilograms of diplomatic mail by two French embassy couriers. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Riga (Rīga riːga) the Capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the river Daugava. Helsinki (in Finnish;) or Helsingfors (in Swedish;) is the Capital and largest city of Finland. France 's permanent representation abroad began in the reign of François I, when in 1522 he sent a delegation to the Swiss. The US Foreign Service employee Henry W. Antheil, Jr., the French couriers and other passengers were killed in the crash. The United States Foreign Service is the diplomatic service of the United States government under the aegis of the Department of State. Henry William Antheil Jr ( September 23, 1912 - June 14, 1940) was born in 1912 in Trenton New Jersey, USA. ^[17]

On June 16 1940, the Soviet Union invaded Estonia. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. ^[18] The Red Army exited from their military bases in Estonia, some 90,000 additional Soviet troops entered the country. Molotov had accused the Baltic states of conspiracy against the Soviet Union and delivered an ultimatum to Estonia for the establishment of a government the Soviets approve of. The Estonian government decided according to the Kellogg-Briand Pact not to use war as an instrument of national policy. The Kellogg-Briand Pact, also known as the Pact of Paris, after the city where it was signed on August 27, 1928, was an international treaty "providing Given the overwhelming Soviet force both on the borders and inside the country, not to resist, to avoid bloodshed and open war. ^[19]

On June 17, the day France surrendered to Germany,^[18] Estonia accepted the ultimatum and the statehood of Estonia de facto ceased to exist. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat The military occupation of the Republic of Estonia was complete by the June 21 1940 and rendered "official" by a communist coup d'état supported by the Soviet troops. Belligerent military occupation occurs when the control and authority over a territory passes to a hostile army. ^[20]

Most of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League surrendered according to the orders believing that resistance was useless and were disarmed by the Red Army. The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit is the name of the unified paramilitary armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. Surrender is when Soldiers, nations or other combatants stop fighting and become Prisoners of war, either as Only the Estonian Single Signal Battalion stationed in Tallinn at Raua Street showed resistance. As the Red Army brought in additional reinforcements supported by six armoured fighting vehicles, the battle lasted several hours until sundown. An armoured fighting vehicle ( AFV) is a military Vehicle, protected by armour and armed with Weapons Most AFVs are equipped for driving in rugged There was one dead, several wounded on the Estonian side and about 10 killed and more wounded on the Soviet side. Finally the military resistance was ended with negotiations and the Single Signal Battalion surrendered and was disarmed. For Wikipedia's negotiation policy see WikipediaNegotiation. For other uses see Negotiation (disambiguation. ^[21]

On the same day, June 21, 1940 the Flag of Estonia was replaced with a Red flag on Pikk Hermann tower, the symbol of the government in force in Estonia. List of flags of Estonia The national flag of Estonia is a Tricolour featuring three equal horizontal bands of Blue (top Black Red flags can signify a warning Martial law, defiance or Left-wing politics Pikk Hermann ( Tall Hermann) is a tower of the Toompea Castle, on Toompea hill in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

14-15 July rigged elections were organized in which only Soviet-supported candidates were permitted to run^[22] Those who failed to have their passports stamped for so voting were allowed to be shot in the back of the head. ^[23] Tribunals were set up to punish "traitors to the people. " those who had fallen short of the "political duty" of voting Estonia into the USSR. The "parliament" so elected proclaimed Estonia a Socialist Republic on July 21, 1940 and unanimously requested Estonia to be "accepted" into the Soviet Union. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991   Estonia was formally annexed into the Soviet Union on August 6 and renamed the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya ^[24] The 1940 occupation and annexation of Estonia into the Soviet Union was considered illegal and never officially recognized by Great Britain, the United States and other Western democracies. The Stimson Doctrine is a policy of the United States federal government, enunciated in a note of January 7 1932 to Japan and The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[25]

Soviet regime of terror

See also: Soviet deportations from Estonia

The Soviet authorities, having gained control over Estonia, immediately imposed a regime of terror. As the Soviet Union had occupied Estonia in 1940 and retaken it from Nazi Germany again in 1944 tens of thousands of Estonia's citizens suffered deportation Order № 001223 "On the Procedure for carrying out the Deportation of Anti-Soviet Elements from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia" was issued. Order № 001223, "On the Procedure for carrying out the Deportation of Anti-Soviet Elements from Lithuania Latvia and Estonia", signed January 21,

During the first year of Soviet occupation (1940-1941) over 8,000 people, including most of the country's leading politicians and military officers, were arrested. About 2,200 of the arrested were executed in Estonia, while most others were moved to prison camps in Russia, from where very few were later able to return alive. On July 19, 1940 the Commander-in-chief of the Estonian Army Johan Laidoner was captured by the NKVD and deported together with his spouse to the Town of Penza. Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic. A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces The Maavägi, (Ground Forces is the name of the unified ground forces of the Republic of Estonia. Johan Laidoner Born in Viiratsi Parish Viljandi County, Estonia on February 12, 1884. The NKVD ( НКВД, ru Народный Комиссариат Внутренних Дел ''Narodnyy Komissariat Vnutrennikh Del'') or People's Commissariat History Penza was founded in 1663 as a frontier outpost on the then southeastern border of Russia Laidoner died in the Vladimir Prison Camp, Russia on March 13, 1953. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[26] President of Estonia, Konstantin Päts was arrested and deported by the Soviets to Ufa in Russia on July 30, he died in a psychiatric hospital in Kalinin (currently Tver) in Russia in 1956. The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. Konstantin Päts VR I/1 and III/1 ( February 23 1874 &ndash January 18 1956) was a Politician and the first President Ufa (Уфа́ Өфө Öfö; Уфа|Ufa Ӗпхӳ Ephü) is the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. A psychiatric hospital (previously called insane asylum, mental hospital; or derogatorily looney bin, nut house or Funny Farm) is Tver (Тверь is a city in Russia, the administrative center of Tver Oblast. 800 Estonian officers i. e. about a half of the total were executed, arrested or starved to death in prison camps. The Gulag was the government agency that administered the penal labor camps of the Soviet Union.

On June 14, 1941, when mass deportations took place simultaneously in all three Baltic countries. Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Deportation, not to be confused with Extradition, generally means the expulsion of someone from a place or Country. In Estonia one night alone over 60,000^[22] civilians were deported to Siberia and other remote areas of the Soviet Union, where nearly half of them later perished. Siberia (Сиби́рь Sibir) is the name given to the vast region constituting almost all of Northern Asia and for the most part currently serving Of the 32,100 Estonian men who were forcibly relocated to Russia under the pretext of mobilisation into the Red Army after the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, nearly 40 percent died within the next year in the "labour battalions" through hunger, cold and overworking. Labour battalions have been a form of Alternative service or Unfree labor in various countries in lieu of or resembling regular Military service. During the first Soviet occupation of 1940-41 about 500 Jews were deported to Siberia. Siberia (Сиби́рь Sibir) is the name given to the vast region constituting almost all of Northern Asia and for the most part currently serving

When Estonia was proclaimed the Soviet Republic, the crews of 42 Estonian ships in foreign waters refused to return to homeland (about 40% of Estonian pre-war fleet) These ships were brought into requisition by the British powers and were used in the Atlantic convoys. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya During the time of the war, approximately 1000 Estonian seamen served at the British militarised merchant marine, 200 of them as officers. A small number of Estonians served in the Royal Air Force, in the British Army and in the US Army, altogether no more than two hundred. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. ^[9]

Soviet repression of ethnic Russians

Ethnic Russians in Estonia: Sergei Zarkevich, an activist of Russian organizations in Estonia, The owner of a book store "Russian Book": arrest order issued by NKVD on June 23, 1940, executed on March 25, 1941. Oleg Vasilovski, a former General in the Russian Imperial Army. The Military history of Imperial Russia encompasses the period of warfare in which Russian Empire ground, naval and air forces participated from its creation Arrest order issued by NKVD on July 1, 1940. Further fate unknown. Sergei Klenski, one of the former leaders of the Russian Peasants Labor Party. Arrested on July 22. On November 19 1940, sentenced to 8 years in a prison camp. Further fate unknown. Mikhail Aleksandrov, Arseni Zhitkov. ^[27] Other ethnic Russians in Estonia arrested and executed by different Soviet War Tribunals in 1940-1941. Ivan Salnikov, Pavel Mironov, Mihhail Arhipov, Vassili belugin, Vladimir Strekoytov, Vasili Zhilin, Vladimir Utekhin, Sergei Samennikov, Ivan Meitsev, Ivan Yeremeyev, Konstatin Bushuyev, Yegor Andreyev, Nikolai Sausailov, Aleksandr Serpukhov, Konstatin Nosov, Aleksandr Nekrasov, Nikolai Vasilev-Muroman, Aleksei Sinelshikov, Pyotr Molonenkov, Grigory Varlamov, Stepan Pylnikov, Ivan Lishayev, Pavel Belousev, Nikolai Gusev, Leonid Sakharov, Aleksander Chuganov, Fyodor Dobrovidov, Lev Dobek, Andrei Leontev, Ivan Sokolov, Ivan Svetlov, Vladimir Semenov, Valentin Semenov-Vasilev, Vasili Kamelkov, Georgi Lokhov, Aleksei Forlov, Ivan Ivanov, Vasili Karamsin, Aleksandr Krasilnikov, Aleksandr Zhukov, etc. Full list at:^[28]

Historical Soviet sources

Up to the reassessment of Soviet history in USSR that began during Perestroika, before the USSR had condemned the 1939 secret protocol between Nazi Germany and itself that had led to the invasion and occupation of the three Baltic countries including Estonia. (Перестройка) is the Russian term (now used in English for the economic reforms introduced in June 1987 by the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ^[29]

The events in 1939 according to the pre-Perestroika Soviet sources were following: in a prior province of the Russian Empire: The Governorate of Estonia (Russian: Эстляндская губерния) Soviet power was established in the end of October 1917. The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya A Governorate is an Administrative division of a country It is headed by a Governor. A soviet (сове́т, "council" originally was a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia. The Estonian Soviet Republic was proclaimed in Narva on November 29, 1918 but fell to counter-revolutionaries and the White movement in 1919. The Commune of the Working People of Estonia (Eesti Töörahva Kommuun earlier et Eesti Töörahva Kommuuna, Эстляндская Трудовая Коммуна ЭТК Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The White movement (Beloie Dvijenie Белое движение whose military arm is known as the White Army (Belaia Armia Белая Армия or White Guard In June 1940 Soviet power was restored in Estonia as workers had overthrown the fascist dictatorship in the country. ^[30][31][32]

The Government of the Soviet Union suggested that the Government of the Republic of Estonia conclude a mutual assistance treaty between the two countries. Council of Ministers of the USSR (Совет Министров СССР tr The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the The pressure from Estonian working people forced the Estonian government to accept this suggestion. On September 28, 1939 the Pact of Mutual Assistance was signed^[33] which allowed the USSR to station a limited number of Red Army units in Estonia. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Economic difficulties, dissatisfaction with the Estonian government policies 'that had sabotaged fulfillment of the Pact and the Estonian government' and political orientation towards Nazi Germany lead to a revolutionary situation on June 16, 1940. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A note from the Soviet government to the Estonian Government suggested that they stick strictly to the Pact of Mutual Assistance. To guarantee fulfillment of the Pact additional military units entered Estonia, welcomed by the Estonian workers who demanded the resignation of the Estonian government. On June 21 under the leadership of the Estonian Communist Party political demonstrations by workers were held in Tallinn, Tartu, Narva and other cities. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Communist Party of Estonia (in Estonian: Eestimaa Kommunistlik Partei, in Russian: Kommunisticheskaya Partiya Estonii; EKP) was a Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Tartu is the second largest City of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva On the same day the fascist government was overthrown, and the People's government lead by Johannes Vares was formed. Johannes Vares ( - November 29, 1946) commonly known as Johannes Vares Barbarus was an Estonian Poet, doctor, and Politician On July 14-15 1940 elections for the Estonian Parliament, the State Assembly(Riigikogu) were held. The Riigikogu (from riigi-, of the state and kogu, assembly is the Parliament of Estonia. The "Working People’s Union", created by an initiative of the Estonian Communist Party received with 84. 1% electorate participation 92. 8% of the votes. ^[34]. ^[35] On July 21 1940 the State Assembly adopted the declaration of the restoration of Soviet power in Estonia and proclaimed the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya On July 22 the declaration of Estonia's wish to join the USSR was adopted and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was addressed accordingly. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Supreme Soviet of the USSR (Верхо́вный Сове́т СССР Verkhóvnyj Sovét SSSR) was the highest legislative body in the Soviet Union in The request was approved by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on August 6, 1940. Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On July 23 the State Assembly proclaimed all land to be People's Property while banks and heavy industry were nationalized. On August 25 the State Assembly adopted the Constitution of the Estonian SSR, renamed itself the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR and approved the Council of People's Commissars of the Estonian SSR. The Council of the People's Commissars, or the Council of People's Commissars, was the highest government authority under the Bolshevik system after the success ^[35]

German occupation

For more details on this topic, see Occupation of Estonia by Nazi Germany. See also Estonia in World War II After Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, the Wehrmacht reached Estonia

After Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, On June 25, Finland sided with Germany in the Continuation War. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Continuation War (Jatkosota Fortsättningskriget Советско-финская война ( 25 June 1941 &ndash 19 September 1944) On July 3, Stalin made his public statement over the radio calling for Scorched earth policy in the areas to be abandoned. Joseph Stalin ( ნამდვილი გვარი ჯუღაშვილი|Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili; March 5 1953 was General Secretary of the Communist Party A scorched earth policy is a military strategy or operational method (possibly more often referred to as a tactic but this is not entirely correct as there is a difference between In Estonia, the assault of the Soviet destruction battalions was the worst, because the northernmost areas were the last to be "liberated," allowing the Soviet occupiers more time to linger. The destruction battalion (истребительный батальон was the type of Soviet Para-military units which were being created in the territories near the frontline The Estonian forest brothers, numbering about 50,000 inflicted heavy casualties on the remaining Soviets with as many as 4800 were killed and 14000 captured. This article is about Baltic WWII anti-Soviet resistance movement

The Germans crossed the Estonian southern border on July 7-9. The Russian 8th Army (Major General Ljubovtsev), retreated in front of the 2nd corps of the German Army behind the Pärnu River- the Emajõgi line on July 12. The Pärnu (Pärnu jõgi is a River in Estonia that drains into the Gulf of Riga at Pärnu. The Emajõgi (Embach Mētra is a River in Estonia which flows from Lake Võrtsjärv through Tartu County into Lake Peipus, Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. As German troops approached Tartu on July 10 and prepared for another battle with the Soviets, they realized that the Estonian partisans were already fighting the Soviet troops. Tartu is the second largest City of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual This article is about Baltic WWII anti-Soviet resistance movement The Wehrmacht stopped its advance and hung back, leaving the Estonians to do the fighting. Wehrmacht (literally "defense force" was the name of the unified Armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945 The battle of Tartu lasted two weeks, and destroyed most of the city. Under the leadership of Friedrich Kurg the Estonian partisans drove out the Soviets from Tartu on their own. Meanwhile the Soviets had been in the process of murdering citizens held in Tartu Prison and had killed 192 before the Estonians captured the city.

At the end July the Germans resumed their advance in Estonia working in tandem with the Estonian forest brothers. Both German troops and Estonian partisans took Narva on August 17 and the Estonian capital Tallinn on August 28. Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names On that day, the red flag shot down earlier on Pikk Hermann was replaced with the Flag of Estonia by Fred Ise. After the Soviets were driven out from Estonia German troops disarmed all the partisan groups. ^[36] The Estonian flag was replaced shortly with the flag of Germany.

Most Estonians greeted the Germans with relatively open arms and hoped for restoration of independence. Estonia set up government administrations, led by Jüri Uluots as soon as the Soviet regime retreated and before German troops arrived. Jüri Uluots ( January 13, 1890 - January 9, 1945) was an Estonian Prime minister, Journalist, and prominent Estonian partisans who drove the Red Army from Tartu made this possible. This was all for nothing since the Germans disbanded the provisional government and Estonia became a part of the German-occupied "Ostland". Reichskommissariat Ostland was the German name for the Nazi civil administration of part of the occupied Eastern territories of the Third Reich, occupied A Sicherheitspolizei was established for internal security under the leadership of Ain-Ervin Mere. The Sicherheitspolizei (security police often abbreviated as SiPo, was a term used in Nazi Germany to describe the state political and criminal investigation security Ain-Ervin Mere (from birth to Estification Ain-Ervin Martson, also known as Ain Mere) February 22, 1903 &ndash April 5, 1969

In April 1941, on the eve on the German invasion, Alfred Rosenberg, Reich minister for the Occupied Eastern territories, a Baltic German, born and raised in Tallinn, Estonia, laid out his plans for the East. (12 January 1893 16 October 1946 was an early and intellectually influential member of the Nazi Party. The Baltic Germans (Deutschbalten or Baltendeutsche) were mostly ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today According to Rosenberg a future policy was created:

1. Germanization (Eindeutschung) of the "racially suitable" elements.
2. Colonization by Germanic peoples.
3. Exile, deportations of undesirable elements.

Rosenberg felt that the "Estonians were the most Germanic out of the people living in the Baltic area, having already reached 50 percent of Germanization through Danish, Swedish and German influence". Non-suitable Estonians were to be moved to a region that Rosenberg called "Peipusland" to make room for German colonists. ^[37]

The initial enthusiasm that accompanied the liberation from Soviet occupation quickly waned as a result and the Germans had limited success in recruiting volunteers. The draft was introduced in 1942, resulting in some 3400 men fleeing to Finland to fight in the Finnish Army rather than join the Germans. The Finnish Army ( Finnish: Maavoimat, Swedish: Armén) is the land forces branch of the Finnish Defence Forces Finnish Infantry Regiment 200 AKA (Estonian: soomepoisid) was formed out of Estonian volunteers in Finland. Infantry Regiment 200 (Fin Jalkaväkirykmentti 200 JR 200) (Est Jalaväerügement 200 JR 200) was a unit of the Finnish army during World War

In June 1942 political leaders of Estonia who had survived Soviet repressions held a meeting hidden from the occupying powers in Estonia where the formation of an underground Estonian government and the options for preserving continuity of the republic were discussed. ^[38]

On January 6 1943 a meeting was held at the Estonian foreign delegation in Stockholm. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King ('stɔkhɔlm is Sweden 's Capital and its largest City. It is the site of the national Swedish government, the parliament, and the In order to preserve the legal continuation of the Republic of Estonia, it was decided that the last constitutional prime minister, Jüri Uluots, had to continue to fulfill his responsibilities as prime minister. ^[38]

On June 1944 – the elector’s assembly of the Republic of Estonia gathered in secrecy from the occupying powers in Tallinn and appointed Jüri Uluots as the prime minister with responsibilities of the President. On June 21 – Jüri Uluots appointed Otto Tief as deputy prime minister. ^[38]

With the Allied victory over Germany becoming certain in 1944, the only option to save Estonia's independence was to stave off a new Soviet invasion of Estonia until Germany's capitulation.

Estonian military units in 1941-1944

In 1941 it was announced in Germany that additional Combat Support Forces, the Waffen-SS Verfügungstruppe units would be raised from non-German foreign nationals. The Waffen-SS ( German for "Armed SS" literally "Weapons SS" was the Combat arm of the Schutzstaffel ("Protective Squadron" The SS-Verfügungstruppe ( The Combat Support Force) (short SS-VT) were combat divisions of the SS, trained according to the German Army ( Wehrmacht The goal was to acquire additional manpower from occupied nations. Some of these formed foreign legions included volunteers from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, and the Netherlands. The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands

Up to March 1942 drafted Estonians mostly served in the rear of the Army Group North security. On August 28, 1942 the German powers announced the legal compilation of the Estonian Legion within the Combat Support Forces, the Waffen SS Verfügungstruppe units. The Waffen-SS ( German for "Armed SS" literally "Weapons SS" was the Combat arm of the Schutzstaffel ("Protective Squadron" The SS-Verfügungstruppe ( The Combat Support Force) (short SS-VT) were combat divisions of the SS, trained according to the German Army ( Wehrmacht Oberführer Franz Augsberger was nominated the commander of the legion. Franz Augsberger ( 10 October 1905 - 19 March 1945) was a Brigadeführer of the Waffen-SS. As of October 13, 1942 500 volunteers had appeared. In the Spring 1943 additional men were drafted from the police and the number rose to 1. 280. ^[39] 90% of the volunteers had lost a relative in the Red Terror. ^[40]Batllion Narwa was formed from the first 800 men of the Legion to have finished their training at Dębica (Heidelager in 1943), being sent in April 1943 to join the Division Wiking in Ukraine. Dębica Lublin Voivodeship Dębica (דעמביץ- Dembitz) is a town in southeastern Poland with 47187 inhabitants (2005 SS Division (motorised Wiking was a German Waffen SS division recruited from foreign volunteers They replaced the Finnish Volunteer Battalion, recalled to Finland for political reasons. The Finnisches Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS was a Finnish Volunteer combat Battalion of the German Waffen-SS. ^[41]

In March 1943 the German occupying powers turned to mobilization by conscripting men born in Estonia between 1919 and 1924. Until August 1943 5300 men were drafted for the Estonain Legion and 6800 for support service (Hilfswillige) to the German Wermacht. A moblization in October 1943, calling up men born in 1925-1926. On May 5, 1943 the 3rd Estonian Waffen-SS brigade was formed and sent to front near Nevel. For the iCarly character see ICarly. Nevel (Невель is a town in Pskov Oblast, Russia, located A consequence of the 1943 mobilizations was the wave of an estimated 5. 000 Estonian men fleeing to Finland in order to avoid the German draft. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Over half of these men volunteered for service in the Finnish armed forces. About 2. 300 joined the army and 400 the navy.

By January 1944, the front was pushed back by the Red Army almost all the way to the former Estonian border. On January 31. 1944 general conscription-mobilization was announced in Estonia by the German authorities. ^[42] Jüri Uluots, the last constitutional prime minister of the republic of Estonia,^[43] the leader of the Estonian underground government delivered a radio address on February 7^[38]that implored all able-bodied men born from 1904 through 1923 to report for military service (Before this, Uluots had opposed Estonian mobilization. Jüri Uluots ( January 13, 1890 - January 9, 1945) was an Estonian Prime minister, Journalist, and prominent An underground government is a Government set up in a covert fashion because it would be dangerous or impossible to do so openly ) The call drew support from all across the country: 38. 000 men were drafted. ^[44] After the mobilization there were some 50. 000-60. 000 Estonians under arms in Estonia. ^[42] The initial formation of the volunteer Estonian Legion created in 1942 was eventually expanded to become a full-sized conscript division of the Waffen SS in 1944, the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) as other Estonian units that had fought on various fronts on the German side were rushed to Estonia. The Waffen-SS ( German for "Armed SS" literally "Weapons SS" was the Combat arm of the Schutzstaffel ("Protective Squadron" 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian (German 20 ^[42] In addition six border defence battalions were also formed^[45]In autumn 1944 it is estimated that there was the same number of Estonians under arms as at the time of the Estonian War of Independence, in total about 100,000 men. The Estonian War of Independence (Vabadussõda literally "freedom war" which occurred in 1918-1920 took place during the Russian Civil War, was the ^[9]

With these reinforcements the Soviet advance was halted for about six months and the front was settled on Narva line throughout 1944. The Battle of Narva was a battle spanning combat in the Battle for the Narva Bridgehead, Battle of the Tannenbergstellung and the completion of the Baltic It was hoped that by engaging in such a war Estonia would be able to attract Western support for the cause of Estonia's independence from the USSR and thus ultimately succeed in achieving independence. ^[46]

On February 1, 1944 the Red Army reached the border of Estonia as a part of the Leningrad-Novgorod strategic offensive operation which began on January 14. Field Marshal Walter Model was nominated the leader of the German Army Group North. Otto Moritz Walter Model ('modəl (24 January 1891 – 21 April 1945 was a German general and later field marshal during World War II. Army Group North ( Heeresgruppe Nord) was a strategic echelon formation commanding a grouping of Field Armies subordinated to the OKH during World War The Soviet attack lead by Soviet General Leonid A. Govorov, the commander of the Leningrad Front, began on February 13. Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov (Леони́д Алекса́ндрович Го́воров ( – March 19 1955 Soviet military commander was born in the village of On February 24 (Estonian National Day) the counterattack of the Estonian Waffen-SS division to break the Soviet bridgeheads began. The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Manifest Eestimaa rahwastele is the founding act of the Republic of Estonia A bridgehead (also 'Bridge-head' French tête-de-pont) is a military Fortification that protects the end of a Bridge that is closest to the The Estonian 43/II Battalion lead by Freiwilligen-Haupsturmführer Rudolf Alfred Bruus nov 1943- jan 1944)^[47] destroyed the Soviet bridgehead. The Estonian 46/I Battalion leaded by Waffen-Sturmbannführer Ain-Ervin Mere (aug. 1944 transferred to Generalinspector's office)^[48] liquidated another bridgehead of Vaasa-Siivertsi-Vepsaküla. On March 6, the task was fulfilled. The leadership of the Red Army drew 9 corps against Narva against 7 divisions and one brigade. On March 1, a new Soviet offensive began to the south of Narva to outflank and surround the citadel. The assault was stopped by the 658th battalion leaded by Alfons Rebane. Alfons Vilhelm Robert Rebane ( June 24, 1908 &ndash March 8, 1976) was an Estonian military commander On March 17, Soviets attacked with the forces of 20 divisions against 3 divisions in defensive positions, but could not break the defence. On April 7, the leadership of the Red Army ordered their troops to go over to defence. In March the Soviets organised many aerial bombing attacks towards the towns of Estonia including bombing of Tallinn on March 9. The Estonian capital of Tallinn was bombed several times during World War II.

In March the first Estonian volunteer Battalion SS-Waffen-Füsilier Battalion 20 (former battalion “Narva” from division „Wiking“) returned to Estonia, and was reformed in April to join the Estonian devision on the Narva front. 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian (German 20 ^[41]

On July 24 the Soviets began a new attack in the direction of Sillaväe via Auvere . They were stopped by 45/I Battalion (Waffen-Haupsturmführer Paul Maitla ) of the Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 45 “Estland” (estnische nr. 1) (Riipalu) and the SS-Waffen-Füsilier Battalion 20 (former battalion “Narva” from division „Wiking“) under the leadership of Waffen-Obersturmführer Hando Ruus. Finally the evacuation of Narva was organised and front was settled on the line of "Tannenberg" in Sinimäed on July 26. Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus

On August 1 the Finnish government and President Ryti were to resign. Risto Heikki Ryti ( February 3, 1889 - October 25, 1956) was the President of Finland from 1940 to 1944 On the next day, Aleksander Warma the Estonia's Ambassador to Finland (1939-1940(1944)), announced that the National Committee of the Estonian Republic had sent a telegram, which stated "Estonians return home!" On the following day, the Finnish government received a letter from the Estonians. Aleksander Warma VR I/3 ( June 22, 1890 Kõnnu Parish, Estonia – December 23, 1970 Stockholm Finland is a Republic with a Representative democracy governed according to the principles of Parliamentarism. It had been signed in the name of "all national organizations of Estonia" by Aleksander Warma, Karl Talpak and several others. In the letter, the Finnish government was asked to send the Estonian volunteer regiment back to Estonia fully equipped. It was then announced that JR 200 would be disbanded and that the volunteers were free to return home. An agreement had been reached with the Germans, and the Estonians were promised amnesty if they were to return. As soon as they landed, the regiment was sent to perform a counter-attack against the Soviet 3rd Baltic Front, which had managed a break-through on the Tartu front, and was threatening the capital Tallinn.

When the break-through in Tannenberg Line/Sinimäed failed, the main struggle was carried to the south of the Lake Peipus, where on August 11, Petseri was taken and Võru on August 13. Otto Tief ( August 14, 1889, Rapla – March 5, 1976, Ahja) was a lawyer an Estonian military commander Near Tartu the Red Army was stopped by the military groups sent from Narva under the command of Alfons Rebane and Paul Vent and 5th SS Volunteer Sturmbrigade Wallonien leaded by Léon Degrelle. Alfons Vilhelm Robert Rebane ( June 24, 1908 &ndash March 8, 1976) was an Estonian military commander The 5th SS Volunteer Sturmbrigade Wallonien or 5 SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade Wallonien was a Belgian Waffen SS volunteer brigade Léon Joseph Marie Ignace Degrelle ( June 15 1906 &ndash April 1 1994) was a Walloon Belgian politician who founded

On August 19, 1944 Jüri Uluots called in a radio broadcast for holding back the Red Army until a peace treaty was reached. ^[38]

As Finland left the war on September 4, 1944 according to the peace agreement with Soviets the defence of the mainland became impossible and the command of the German Army decided to evacuate from Estonia. Estonian islands showed resistance until November 23, 1944, when Sõrve was evacuated. According to the Soviet data, the conquering of the territory of Estonia cost them 126,000 casualties, in the German data the number is 170,000. On the German side, their own data shows 30,000 dead which is most likely underrated, the more realistic figure would be 45,000. ^[9]

Other volunteers that paricipated in the Battle of Narva and the Battle of the Tannenberg Line within the Waffen-SS were from Norway, Denmark, Holland and Belgium. Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Holland is a region in the western part of the Netherlands. A maritime and economic power in the 17th century Holland today consists of the Dutch provinces of The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those

As the Germans retreated in September 1944, on September 18 Jüri Uluots formed a government led by the Deputy Prime Minister, Otto Tief. Jüri Uluots ( January 13, 1890 - January 9, 1945) was an Estonian Prime minister, Journalist, and prominent Otto Tief ( August 14, 1889, Rapla – March 5, 1976, Ahja) was a lawyer an Estonian military commander On September 20 the Nazi German flag on Pikk Hermann was replaced with the flag of Estonia‎. Pikk Hermann ( Tall Hermann) is a tower of the Toompea Castle, on Toompea hill in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. On September 22 the Red Army took Tallinn and the Estonian flag on Pikk Hermann was replaced with the Red flag. The Estonian underground government, not officially recognized by either Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union, fled to Stockholm, Sweden and operated in exile until 1992, when Heinrich Mark, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia in duties of the President in exile,^[49] presented his credentials to the newly elected President of Estonia Lennart Meri. ('stɔkhɔlm is Sweden 's Capital and its largest City. It is the site of the national Swedish government, the parliament, and the "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Heinrich Mark was born on October 1, 1911 in the Krootuse (Kõlleste rural municipality in the Võru County of Estonia. Lennart Georg Meri (ˈlennɑr̺t ˈg̥eorg̥ ˈmer̺i ( March 29, 1929 – March 14, 2006) was a Writer, Film director On February 23. Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable 1989 The flag of the Estonian SSR had been lowered on Pikk Hermann, having been replaced with the flag of Estonia on February 24, 1989. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya Pikk Hermann ( Tall Hermann) is a tower of the Toompea Castle, on Toompea hill in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)

Estonian Rifle Corps in the Red Army

In June 1940 while the Estonian army was integrated into the Soviet military structure, where in June 1940 there were 16,800 men, was changed into "22nd Territorial Rifle Corps" 5,500 Estonian soldiers served in the corps during the first battle. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Motherland is a term that may refer to a mother country, ie the place of one's birth the place of origin of an Ethnic group or Immigrant, or a Metropole 4,500 of them went over to the German side. In September 1941, when the corps was liquidated, there were still 500 previous Estonian soldiers.

Having mobilized some 33,000 Estonians as the Soviets were evacuating in the summer of 1941, no more than half of those men were used for military service, the rest perished in labour battalions, mainly in the early months of the war. Labour battalions have been a form of Alternative service or Unfree labor in various countries in lieu of or resembling regular Military service.

Estonian National military Units within the Red Army began to be formed in January 1942 from among ethnic Estonians living in the USSR, A Soviet source suggests that in May 1942 there were nearly 20,000 Estonians in the national units. The Eight Estonian Rifle Corps, as these units came to be called after September 1942, reached the front in Velikie Luki in December 1942 and suffered heavy losses in battle as well as the defection of about 1,000 men to the German side. Velikiye Luki (Вели́кие Лу́ки name also romanized as Velikie Luki, is a city on the meandering Lovat River in the southern After Velikie Luki the Rifle Corps was replaced with other nationalities from USSR. The corps' major activity in the latter part of the war was participation in the battles for Estonia. ^[37]

The Holocaust

Main article: History of the Jews in Estonia

Historical background

The process of Jewish settlement in Estonia began in the nineteenth century, when in 1865 the Russian Tsar Alexander II granted them the right to enter the region. Alexander II may refer to Alexander II of Russia (1818&ndash1881 the Emperor of Russia Alexander II of Macedon, King of Macedon

The creation of the Republic of Estonia in 1918 marked the beginning of a new era for the Jews. Approximately 200 Jews fought in combat for the creation of the Republic of Estonia and 70 of these men were volunteers. Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region From the very first days of her existence as a state, Estonia showed her tolerance towards all the peoples inhabiting her territories. On 12 February 1925 the Estonian government passed a law pertaining to the cultural autonomy of minority peoples. The Jewish community quickly prepared its application for cultural autonomy. Statistics on Jewish citizens were compiled. They totaled 3045, fulfilling the minimum requirement of 3000. In June 1926 the Jewish Cultural Council was elected and Jewish cultural autonomy was declared. Jewish cultural autonomy was of great interest to global Jewish community. The Jewish National Endowment presented the Government of the Republic of Estonia with a certificate of gratitude for this achievement. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the ^[50]

There were, at the time of Soviet occupation in 1940, approximately 2000 Estonian Jews. Many of Jewish people were deported to Siberia along with other Estonians by the Soviets. It is estimated that 500 Jews suffered this fate. With the invasion of the Baltics, it was the intention of the Nazi government to use the Baltics countries as their main area of mass genocide. Consequently, Jews from countries outside the Baltics were shipped there to be exterminated. Out of the approximately 4,300 Jews in Estonia prior to the war, between 1,500 and 2,000 were entrapped by the Nazis. ^[51] and an estimated 10,000 Jews were killed in Estonia after having been deported to camps there from elsewhere in Eastern Europe. ^[52] There have been knowingly 7 ethnic Estonians: Ralf Gerrets, Ain-Ervin Mere, Jaan Viik, Juhan Jüriste, Karl Linnas,Aleksander Laak and Ervin Viks who have faced trials for crimes against humanity. The best-known Holocaust trial in Estonian SSR was brought in 1961 by the local Soviet authorities against Estonian Collaborators who had participated Ain-Ervin Mere (from birth to Estification Ain-Ervin Martson, also known as Ain Mere) February 22, 1903 &ndash April 5, 1969 Karl Linnas was an Estonian who was sentenced to capital punishment during the Holocaust trials in Soviet Estonia. Since the reestablishment of the Estonian independence Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity has been established. The Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity (also known as History Commission) is an Estonian commission established by ^[53] Markers were put in place for the 60th anniversary of the mass executions that were carried out at the Lagedi, Vaivara^[54] and Klooga (Kalevi-Liiva) camps in September of 1944. Vaivara Parish is a municipality of Ida-Viru County in northern Estonia. This article deals with the Klooga concentration camp For other meanings of the word Klooga see Klooga (disambiguation. ^[55]

In May 2005, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip gave a speech while visiting Klooga: "Although these murderers must answer for their crimes as individuals, the Estonian Government continues to do everything possible to expose these crimes. I apologise for the fact that Estonian citizens could be found among those who participated in the murdering of people or assisted in the perpetration of these crimes. "^[56]

Estonia (together with Austria, Lithuania, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Syria and Ukraine) has been given the grade Category F-2: Failure in practice by the Simon Wiesenthal Center Status Report on Investigation and Prosecution of Nazi War Criminals for both 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. The Simon Wiesenthal Center (often abbreviated SWC) with headquarters in Los Angeles ^[57][58] As Estonian prosecutors have closed the case of WWII crime suspect Harry Männil now resident in Venezuela, on basis of no proof found linking Männil to crimes against humanity. Harry Männil is an Estonian businessman art collector and known cultural benefactor in several countries including Venezuela Estonia's security police had opened a criminal case in March 2001 on the basis of Efraim Zuroff's petition to investigate whether Männil was connected with the persecution and killing of civilians in 1941-42 when he worked as an assistant with the wartime political police in Tallinn. Efraim Zuroff (born 1948 in New York) is an Israeli historian of American origin who has played an important role in the efforts to bring Nazi ^[59]

Soviet return

Soviet forces reconquered Estonia in the autumn of 1944 after fierce battles in the northeast of the country on the Narva river and on the Tannenberg Line (Sinimäed). The Narva or Narova is a River which drains the Lake Peipus, flowing on the Border of Estonia and Russia. In 1944, in the face of the country being re-occupied by the Red Army, 80000 people fled from Estonia by sea to Finland and Sweden, becoming war refugees and later, expatriates. According to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is a person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race An expatriate (in abbreviated form expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing 25,000 Estonians reached Sweden and a further 42,000 Germany. During the war about 8 000 Estonian Swedes and their family members had emigrated to Sweden. After the retreat of Germans, about 30,000 partisans remained in hiding in the Estonian forests, further on leading a massive guerrilla war. In 1949 27,650 Soviet troops still led the war against the local partisans. Only the 1949 mass deportation when about 21,000 people were taken away broke the basis of the partisan movement. 6600 partisans gave themselves up in November of 1949. Later on the failure of the Hungarian uprising broke the resistance moral of the 700 men still remaining under cover. According to the Soviet data, up to 1953, 20,351 partisans were disarmed. Of these, 1510 perished in the battles. During that period, 1 728 members of the Red Army, NKVD and the militia were killed by the "forest brothers". This article is about Baltic WWII anti-Soviet resistance movement August Sabbe, the last surviving Forest Brother in Estonia, was discovered and killed^[60] by KGB agents in 1978. August Sabbe ( September 1, 1909 – September 27, 1978) was one of the last surviving Estonian members of the Forest Brothers

During the first post-war decade of Soviet regime, Estonia was governed by Moscow via Russian-born Estonian governors. Born into the families of native Estonians in Russia, the latter had obtained their Red education in the Soviet Union during the Stalinist repressions at the end of the 1930s. Many of them had fought in the Red Army (in the Estonian Rifle Corps), few of them had mastered the Estonian language. ^[61]

Although the United States and the United Kingdom, the allies of the USSR against Germany during World War II, recognized the occupation of the Republic of Estonia by USSR at Yalta Conference in 1945 de facto, the governments of the rest of the western democracies did not recognize the seizure of Estonia by the USSR in 1940 and in 1944 de jure according to the Sumner Welles' declaration of July 23, 1940^[62][63][64] Such countries recognized Estonian diplomats and consuls who still functioned in many countries in the name of their former governments. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Yalta Conference, sometimes called the Crimea Conference and Codenamed the Argonaut Conference, was the wartime meeting from 4 February Benjamin Sumner Welles ( October 14, 1892 &ndash September 24, 1961) was an American government official and diplomat These aging diplomats persisted in this anomalous situation until the ultimate restoration of Estonia's independence in 1991. ^[65]

In August 1994 the last Soviet troops withdrew from the Republic of Estonia. ^[66]

Controversies

Views diverge on history of Estonia during the World War II:

The position of the European Court of Human Rights

Further information: European Court of Human Rights cases on Occupation of Baltic States

The Court notes, first, that Estonia lost its independence as a result of the Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (also known as "Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact"), concluded on 23 August 1939, and the secret additional protocols to it. European Court of Human Rights cases on Occupation of Baltic States are landmark rulings by the European Court of Human Rights, which concern activities of the USSR Following an ultimatum to set up Soviet military bases in Estonia in 1939, a large-scale entry of the Soviet army into Estonia took place in June 1940. The lawful government of the country was overthrown and Soviet rule was imposed by force. The totalitarian communist regime of the Soviet Union conducted large-scale and systematic actions against the Estonian population, including, for example, the deportation of about 10,000 persons on 14 June 1941 and of more than 20,000 on 25 March 1949. After the Second World War, tens of thousands of persons went into hiding in the forests to avoid repression by the Soviet authorities; part of those in hiding actively resisted the occupation regime. According to the data of the security organs, about 1,500 persons were killed and almost 10,000 arrested in the course of the resistance movement of 1944-1953. Interrupted by the German occupation in 1941-1944, Estonia remained occupied by the Soviet Union until its restoration of independence in 1991.

Position of the Estonian government

The occupation of Estonia by Nazi Germany ended with five decades of Soviet occupation of the Baltic nations. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the Toompea (Domberg or "Cathedral Hill" is a Limestone Hill in the central part of the city of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. ^[67] The European parliament has issued a resolution on the issue supporting the positions of The Estonian Government: as an independent Member State of the EU and NATO, it has the sovereign right to assess its recent tragic past, starting with the loss of independence as a result of the Hitler-Stalin Pact of 1939 and including three years under Hitler’s occupation and terror, as well as 48 years under Soviet occupation and terror whereas the Soviet occupation and annexation of the Baltic States was never recognized as legal by the Western democracies. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The North Atlantic Treaty ^[68]

Governments of the Western democracies

According to USA, EU: 48 years of Soviet occupation and annexation of the Republic of Estonia was never recognized as legal by the Western democracies. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in ^[69][70]

Position of the Russian government

Russian government and officials however continue to maintain that the Soviet annexation of the Baltic states was legitimate^[71] and that the Soviet Union liberated the countries from the Nazis^[72] They state that the Soviet troops had entered the Baltic countries in 1940 following the agreements and with the consent of the governments of the Baltic republics. The Government of the Russian Federation (Прави́тельство Росси́йской Федера́ции is an executive governmental body that brings together the principal The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the They maintain that the USSR was not in a state of war and was not waging any combat activities on the territory of the three Baltic states, therefore, the argument goes, the word 'occupation' can not be used. ^[73][74] "The assertions about [the] 'occupation' by the Soviet Union and the related claims ignore all legal, historical and political realities, and are therefore utterly groundless. " (Russian Foreign Ministry)

Russia maintains that Soviet forces liberated the Estonian SSR from Nazi occupation^[72]

Positions of the soldiers from both sides

• Views of World War II veteran, an Estonian Ilmar Haaviste fought on the German side: “Both regimes were equally evil - there was no difference between the two except that Stalin was more cunning”. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya
• Views of World War II veteran, an Estonian Arnold Meri fought on the Soviet side: "Estonia's participation in World War II was inevitable. Arnold Meri (born 1919 is an Estonian veteran of World War II, a Hero of the Soviet Union and has been charged with Crimes against humanity. Every Estonian had only one decision to make: whose side to take in that bloody fight - the Nazis' or the anti-Hitler coalition's. "
• Views of World War II veteran, a Russian fought on the Soviet side in Estonia answering a question: How do you feel being called an "occupier"? " Viktor Andreyev: "Half believe one thing half believe another. That's in the run of things. "^[75]

In 2004 controversy regarding the events of World War II in Estonia surrounded the Monument of Lihula. Monument of Lihula, located in the cemetery of the small Estonian town of Lihula, was a monument depicting an Estonian soldier in a World War II uniform

In April 2007 the diverging views of World War II history were a factor in the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn controversy. The Bronze Soldier (Pronkssõdur Бронзовый Солдат originally "Monument to the Liberators of Tallinn" ("Tallinna vabastajate monument"

References

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