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144-811: The Estonian Defence Forces has its origins linked to the Estonian War of Independence . After the first phase of the German Revolution in November 1918 ended the German occupation in Estonia , the representatives of Germany formally handed over political and military power to the Government of Estonia . A few days later, Estonia was invaded by the military forces of the USSR , marking the beginning of

288-577: A British naval squadron . In January 1919, the Estonian armed forces launched a counteroffensive, the May Offensive , under Commander-in-Chief Johan Laidoner . The Ground Forces were supported by the U.K. Royal Navy as well as Finnish , Swedish , and Danish volunteers . By the end of February 1919, the Red Army had been expelled from all of Estonia's territory. On 2 February 1920,

432-541: A Finnish SS battalion . Volunteer Battalion Narwa distinguished itself fighting as part of the 5th SS Division until it returned to Estonia in July 1944. About the same time as the I. Battalion was detached, the Legion became operational. Continuing manpower shortages resulted in the introduction of conscription at this time, with about 12,000 men called up, of whom about 5,300 were sent to the Legion. From spring 1943, some of

576-986: A Soviet occupation and as such they were not true members of the criminal Waffen SS. Subsequently, on 13 April 1950, a message from the Allied High Commission (HICOG), signed by John J. McCloy to the Secretary of State, clarified the US position on the Baltic Legions: "they were not to be seen as 'movements', 'volunteer', or 'SS'. In short, they had not been given the training, indoctrination, and induction normally given to SS members". The US Displaced Persons Commission declared in September 1950 that: "The Baltic Waffen SS Units (Baltic Legions) are to be considered as separate and distinct in purpose, ideology, activities, and qualifications for membership from

720-454: A campaign highlighted by the implementation of the highly successful "soomusrongid" (armoured trains). This turn of events was swiftly followed by the liberation of the sizable town of Rakvere on 12 January. In liberating Narva, a 1,000-strong Finnish-Estonian force landed at Utria to the rear of the Soviet 6th Rifle Division on 17 January. In so doing, retreat eastward for the Soviet forces

864-459: A crisis situation, the Merevägi must be ready to defend sea access points, harbour areas, maritime lines of communication, and to co-operate with coalition units. The Merevägi includes units of patrol ships, minesweepers , a frigate, and coast guard units. This equipment is necessary to ensure the security of maritime communications lines and to establish and clear mine barriers. The majority of

1008-743: A rapid offensive of the 2nd Division, spearheaded by its cavalry regiment, continued and on 6 June it crossed Daugava river and captured Jēkabpils , but the 3rd Division could not support the advance of the 2nd division anymore as it was now facing a new enemy: the Baltische Landeswehr . The war against the Baltische Landeswehr broke out on the southern front in Latvia on 5 June 1919. The Latvian democrats led by Kārlis Ulmanis had declared independence as in Estonia but were soon pushed back to Liepāja by Soviet forces, where

1152-513: A responsible to security incidents in .ee computer networks. Its task is to assist Estonian internet users in the implementation of preventive measures, in order to reduce possible damage from security incidents, and to help them in responding to security threats. The unit deals with security incidents that occur in Estonian networks, are started there, or which they have been notified of by citizens or institutions in Estonia or abroad. On 25 June 2007, Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with

1296-778: A settlement between the Bolsheviks and the Estonians, but Admiral Cowan threatened withdrawal of support to the Estonians unless they rejected the Hungarian offer. The Russians then publicly broached the subject of peace talks in a radio broadcast on 27 and 28 April. On 5 June the Estonian Commune was abolished. A subsequent broadcast by the Russians on 21 July led to the British journalist Arthur Ransome sounding out

1440-575: A singular unit) and after service are sent to the reserve as one unit. The Estonian Army is always in a state of constant defence readiness in co-operation with the other services. Estonia instituted compulsory military service in late 1991. Around 3200 conscripts, including a small number of women, enter military units of the Estonian Defence Forces every year. There are no conscripts in the Estonian Air Force. The service

1584-540: A voluntary military organisation- which acts in the area of responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. It consists of four territorial districts. It is tasked with planning and conducting military operations with the units under its command. The Defence League possesses arms and engages in military exercises. The main goal of the Defence League is, on the basis of the citizens’ free will and initiative, to enhance

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1728-543: Is 11 months long for those trained as junior NCOs, drivers, military policemen and specialists. Other soldiers serve 8 months. Conscripts are serving in infantry, artillery, air defence, engineering, communications, naval, and combat service support units as well as antitank, recce, mortar, and military police subunits. In 2023, the Estonian Minister of Defence proposed extending the maximum term of compulsory service to 12 months for certain specialties. According to

1872-599: Is among the countries with which Estonia has very close cooperation in the defence and security fields. Currently, Estonia participates in the NATO Response Force and contributes to the NTM-I (NATO Training Mission - Iraq). Until 2009, Estonia had 40 soldiers fighting alongside American Forces in the Iraq War and 150 soldiers, or about 3% of its total active military force, fighting alongside British Forces during

2016-531: Is effectively the occupier who chooses which men, how many and for what purpose. The 20th SS Division received reinforcements, bringing the total of Estonian units up to 50,000 or 60,000 men. During the whole period at least 70,000 Estonians joined the German army, more than 10,000 may have been killed in action, about 10,000 reached the West after the war ended. Estonian officers and men in other units that fell under

2160-406: Is structured according to the principle of a reserve forces, which means that the majority of state defence forces are reserve units. In peacetime, the reservists conduct periodic training, and the state purchases equipment and weapons. In wartime the reservists are mobilized into military units. The reserve units are formed on the territorial principle, (i.e. conscripts from one area are called into

2304-579: The Schutzstaffel (SS). It was officially activated on 24 January 1944, and many of its soldiers had been members of the Estonian Legion and/or the 3rd Estonian SS Volunteer Brigade , which had been fighting as part of German forces since August 1942 and October 1943 respectively. Both of the preceding formations drew their personnel from German-occupied Estonia . Shortly after its official activation, widespread conscription within Estonia

2448-601: The Autonomous Governorate of Estonia proclaimed itself the highest sovereign authority in Estonia, instead of the new Bolshevik government of Russia. As a result, the local Bolsheviks soon dissolved the Maapäev and temporarily forced the democratically elected Estonian leadership underground in the capital Tallinn . A few months later, in February 1918, using the interval between the Red Army's retreat and

2592-656: The Balkan states . The Defence League and its affiliated organizations have positive relations with partner organizations in the Nordic countries , the United States , and the United Kingdom . The Defence Forces consist of basic military units totaling 6,500 officers and conscripts. The planned operational wartime size as of 2017 was 21,000 personnel, which is to be increased to over 24,400 by 2026. The Estonian Army

2736-687: The Battle of Paju , the Tartumaa Partisan Battalion and the Finnish volunteers drove the Red Latvian Riflemen out of Valga on 31 January. The 7th Red Army was routed outside the boundaries of contemporary Estonia and the battle-front continued outwards into the ancient, historical Estonian settlement area. The second half of February saw the Estonian southward advance capture Salacgrīva and Alūksne . This advance

2880-814: The Bogatyr class cruiser Oleg supported by two destroyers. The city was defended by men of the Estonian Defence League (Home Guard) (consisting partly of secondary school students) and Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 405 of the German Army . The Reds captured Narva on 29 November and the Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 405 withdrew westwards. The Soviet 2nd Novgorod Division opened a second front south of Lake Peipus , with 7,000 infantry, 12 field guns, 50 machine guns, two armored trains, and three armored vehicles. Estonian military forces at

3024-700: The Czech Hell , the partisans chased, tortured and humiliated the Waffen SS men and murdered more than 500 Estonian POWs. Some of the Estonians who had reached the western allies were handed back to the Soviets. In the spring of 1946, out of the ranks of those who had surrendered to the Western allies in the previous year, a total of nine companies were formed. One of these units, the 4221st Guard Company , formed from some 300 men on 26 December 1946, guarded

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3168-626: The Estonian Constituent Assembly was elected. The elections were won by the Left and Centre parties. The 120 members of the Constituent Assembly met at the opening session on 23 April and elected Social Democrat August Rei as chairman. The provisional government retired, and a new government headed by Otto Strandman was formed. On 4 June the assembly adopted a temporary Constitution of Estonia. On 10 October

3312-502: The Estonian Division , which includes the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades , as well as an artillery battalion and support units. Both infantry brigades act as training and support frames for deployable units. The Land Force's development priorities are the capability to participate in missions outside the national territory and the capability to perform operations to protect the territory of Estonia, also in co-operation with

3456-529: The Estonian War of Independence . The small, poorly armed Estonian military, also known as the Peoples Force ( Estonian : Rahvavägi ), was initially pushed back by the Red Army into the vicinity of the capital city of Estonia - Tallinn . A mere 34 kilometers separated Tallinn and the front line. The USSR's forces were stopped, in part, because of the timely arrival of a shipment of arms brought by

3600-682: The German VI Reserve Corps finally stopped their advance. This German force, led by general Rüdiger von der Goltz , consisted of the Baltische Landeswehr formed from Baltic Germans , the Guards Reserve Division of former Imperial German Army soldiers who had stayed in Latvia, and the Freikorps Iron Division of volunteers motivated by prospects of acquiring properties in the Baltics. This

3744-606: The German Army and the Finnish Infantry Regiment 200 were transferred to Estonia. In April 1944, the division had a designated strength of 16,135 men. Between March and September 1944, it had a total of 13,700 men pass through its reserve units, and by August 1944, some 10,427 were killed or missing. The division fought the Red Army on the Eastern Front and surrendered in May 1945. A secret protocol of

3888-797: The Krasnaya Gorka fort , while the Estonian 2nd Division attempted to destroy bridges over the Velikaya River and the Estonian 3rd Division attacked towards Pytalovo . The Northwestern Army approached to 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Petrograd, but the Red Army repulsed the White Russian troops back to the Narva River . Distrustful of the White Russians, the Estonian High Command disarmed and interned

4032-640: The Land Reform Act was passed, which confiscated and redistributed the large Baltic German estates that covered more than half of the territory of Estonia. Estonia actively helped to organize White Russian, Latvian and Ingrian forces on the territory of the Republic. The White Russian Northern Corps had been organizing in Estonia since December 1918. On 18 February, an agreement was signed between Estonia and Latvia, which allowed formation of Latvian forces under Estonian command but using them only on

4176-484: The Merevägi mineships fleet was modernized and equipped with Sandown class minehunters. In 2010, in accordance with the long-term defence development plan, it was announced that the Merevägi will receive some new capabilities. Of those new warfare capabilities, the procurement of multirole fast patrol boats was the priority. The benefits of the vehicles to operations are the increased defence of territorial waters and improvement of maritime surveillance. In addition to

4320-536: The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in its Secret Additional Protocol . According to this treaty, Estonia was to be occupied by the Soviet Union. The Estonian government decided to give their assent to an agreement which allowed the USSR to establish military bases and station 25,000 troops on Estonian soil for "mutual defence". On 12 June 1940, the order for a total military blockade of Estonia was given to

4464-498: The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact signed on 23 August 1939 between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union defined the spheres of influence, with Estonia assigned to the Soviet one. On 16–17 June 1940, the Soviet Union invaded and occupied Estonia . The military occupation was complete by 21 June 1940 and rendered "official" by a communist coup d'état . Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941 and occupied Estonia by

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4608-806: The Oder and Neisse rivers. The division was pushed back to the Neisse, taking heavy casualties. The division was then trapped with the XI. Armeekorps in the Oberglogau – Falkenberg/ Niemodlin area in Silesia. By February, the division was so depleted that it was referred to as a SS- kampfgruppe , not as a division. On 17 March 1945, the kampfgruppe launched a major escape attempt, which despite making headway, failed. On 19 March, it tried again, this time succeeding, but leaving all heavy weapons and equipment behind in

4752-857: The Peace Treaty of Tartu was signed by the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic . After winning the Estonian Liberation War against the USSR and German Freikorps volunteers, Estonia maintained its independence for twenty-two years. In August 1939, just prior to the start of World War II , Stalin and Hitler secretly decided the fate of the Republic of Estonia. The two leaders agreed to divide Eastern Europe into "spheres of special interest" as outlined by

4896-966: The President , and the government of the republic. The highest leader of the national defence is the President, who is advised in national defence matters by the National Defence Council . The council is composed of the chairman of the Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Defence Forces (Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces in wartime), the Defence Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs,

5040-459: The Soviet Russian westward offensive of 1918–1919 and the 1919 aggression of the pro–German Baltische Landeswehr . The campaign was the struggle of the newly established democratic state of Estonia for independence in the aftermath of World War I . It resulted in a victory for Estonia and was concluded in the 1920 Treaty of Tartu . During the 1917 Russian Revolution , the newly elected provincial legislature ( State diet or Maapäev ) of

5184-403: The Tallinn School No. 21 , continued to resist. As the Red Army brought in additional reinforcements supported by armoured fighting vehicles , the battle lasted several hours until sundown. In the end, there was one dead and several wounded on the Estonian side and about 10 killed and more wounded on the Soviet side. Military resistance ended with negotiations . Signal Battalion surrendered and

5328-672: The Tartumaa Partisan Battalion and the Kalevi Malev Battalion. The national government obtained foreign assistance. On 5 December, Finland delivered 5,000 rifles and 20 field guns along with ammunition. A British Royal Navy squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Sir Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair arrived at Tallinn on 31 December and delivered 6,500 rifles, 200 machine guns, and two field guns. The squadron captured two Russian destroyers, Spartak and Avtroil , and turned them over to Estonia, which renamed them Vambola and Lennuk . On 2 January, Finnish volunteer units with 2,000 men arrived in Estonia. Three armored trains were built in Tallinn under

5472-413: The United Kingdom and Finland , played a very important role during the early stages of war. British naval and air forces arrived in December 1918, after lobbying in London by Estonian politicians. At this time, the new Estonian government was weak and desperate, and the Estonian Prime Minister even asked that his state be declared a British protectorate , but Britain would not meet this plea. However,

5616-559: The War in Afghanistan . Estonian forces have since been withdrawn from Iraq . In both cases, the units were regularly rotated. Estonia also provides peacekeepers for international missions in both Bosnia and Kosovo within the framework of the KFOR , contributes to EU battlegroups and NATO Response Force rotations, and participates in the EU's anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia . The Estonian military employs STANAG (NATO interoperable) weapons and equipment acquired from Finland , Sweden , Germany , Denmark, Great Britain,

5760-415: The Wehrmacht , including a few Waffen SS veterans from Austria and Norway, took place in Sinimäe , where the battle between the German and Soviet armies had been particularly fierce. A gathering takes place every year that has seen veterans attending from Estonia, Norway, Denmark, Austria and Germany. The following units made of the division: Each grenadier regiment consisted of three battalions, and

5904-549: The chief of staff , and major general Aleksander Tõnisson as commander of the Estonian army , initially consisting of one division. In late November 1918, the Bolshevik Soviet Russian armed forces moved against Estonia. On 28 November 1918, the Soviet 6th Red Rifle Division attacked the border town of Narva , marking the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence. The Soviet 6th Red Rifle Division attacked with 7,000 infantry, 22 field guns , 111 machine guns , an armored train , two armored vehicles, two airplanes, and

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6048-542: The Ämari Air Base , where renovation was completed in 2012. The airfield and garrison at Ämari are focused on preparing for and facilitating cooperation with NATO and the air forces of partner nation. It enables the supply of standardized airfield and aircraft services necessary for host nation support. Estonian Special Operations Force (ESTSOF) is the special operations command of the Estonian Defence Forces. Its tasks include special reconnaissance and surveillance, military support, and direct action. The primary objective of

6192-410: The 184th becoming the 657th "Eastern" Company, the rest of the 184th becoming the 660th "Eastern" Battalion, and the 186th being converted into the "Eastern" Depot Battalion "Narwa". These were retitled as "Estonian" battalions on 1 January 1943. Also in August 1941, the German police established defence detachments (German: Schutzmannschaft-Abteilungen ) in Estonia to combat partisans . In November

6336-425: The 37th and 38th Estonian Police Battalions were absorbed by the division. The 20th Waffen Grenadier Division was almost destroyed during fighting in late 1944 or early 1945. Eventually, the reformed division, which numbered roughly 11,000 Estonians and 2,500 Germans, returned to the front line in late February, just in time for the Soviet Vistula-Oder Offensive . This offensive forced the German forces back behind

6480-452: The 3rd SS Volunteer Brigade was expanded into the 20th Estonian SS Volunteer Division ( German : 20. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (estnische Nr. 1) , Estonian : 20. eesti diviis ), under the command of Augsberger, now an SS-Oberführer . Initially, the main fighting formations of the division were the 45th and 46th SS Volunteer Regiments, and the 20th SS Volunteer Artillery Regiment. A week later, general conscription-mobilization

6624-422: The 46th SS Volunteer Regiment as the second regiment of the brigade. In October, the brigade was retitled the 3rd SS Volunteer Brigade. Most of the officers and non-commissioned officers of the brigade were Estonian, including the two regimental commanders, and the brigade reached a strength of 5,099 men by December. From November the brigade had been committed to fighting partisans at Nevel near Velikiye Luki in

6768-421: The 7th Red Army managed to achieve some limited success. At the end of November, the situation on the front calmed, as the Soviets needed to replenish their forces. In order to pressure Estonia in the peace talks, intensive Soviet attacks restarted on 7 December. On 16 December, the situation became critical as forward units of the 15th Red Army crossed the Narva River. The next day, an Estonian counterattack pushed

6912-406: The Allies. The Estonian Navy (Estonian: Merevägi) is responsible for all naval operations and protecting of Estonia's territorial water. The main functions of the naval force are the defence of the territorial waters and coast line, ensuring maritime security, maintaining and managing communications and sea traffic, and co-operation with NATO and the navies of other friendly countries. In case of

7056-508: The Baltische Landeswehr captured Cēsis . On 8 June, an Estonian counterattack was repelled. The first clashes demonstrated that the VI Reserve Corps was stronger and better equipped than the Soviets. On 10 June, with Entente mediation, a ceasefire was made. Despite the Entente demand for the German force to pull behind the line demanded by the Estonians, von der Goltz refused and demanded Estonian withdrawal from Latvia, threatening to continue fighting. On 19 June, fighting resumed with an assault of

7200-400: The Battle of Cēsis ( Võnnu lahing in Estonian) is celebrated in Estonia as the Victory Day . The Estonian 3rd Division continued their advance towards Riga. On 3 July, when the Estonian forces were at the outskirts of Riga, a ceasefire was made on the demand of the Entente and the Ulmanis government was restored in Riga. The German forces were ordered to leave Latvia, the Baltische Landeswehr

7344-406: The British squadron delivered 6500 rifles, 200 machine guns, and two field guns. In addition, two Soviet destroyers were captured near Tallinn and turned over to Estonia. A Royal Navy squadron continued to provide artillery support on the coast and also protected the Estonian flank against the Russian Baltic Fleet . The United Kingdom remained Estonia's main supplier of arms and equipment throughout

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7488-461: The Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. The General Staff is a joint staff, engaged with operational leadership, training, and development of the defence forces. Operational leadership is implemented by the Operational Staff, which plans and controls operations, ensuring defence readiness and mobilisation. The departments for training and development are responsible for long-term and mid-term planning, resource planning, organisation, and control over

7632-401: The Commissar for Foreign Relations Georgy Chicherin on the subject of peace talks. As a result, the Soviet government made a formal offer for negotiations on 31 August 1919. The Estonians accepted on 4 September, and delegations started talks on 16 September. Estonia then proposed to stop the negotiations until Latvia, Lithuania and Finland have agreed to participate in joint negotiations. In

7776-422: The Estonian Air Force, which had, by the middle of the 1930s, more than 130 modern aircraft. The organization consisted of the Naval Aviation Group, Flight School, Air Base, and Air Defence Artillery Group. Estonian engineers designed and constructed the fighter aircraft, which displayed outstanding performance. The Estonian Air Force was re-established in 1991, with the objectives of controlling Estonian airspace and

7920-432: The Estonian police battalions were used to form larger units, and many of their men volunteered for the Legion. The German authorities began conscripting Estonians over the winter of 1942–43. Conscripts were given a choice between serving in the Legion, auxiliary units of the German Wehrmacht or working in factories. Those who opted to serve with the Waffen-SS were offered the immediate return of their lands. In May 1943,

8064-442: The Finnish 200th Infantry Regiment , which was made up of 310 Finns and 2,340 Estonians. The 200th Infantry Regiment continued fighting on the Isthmus until August 1944 when it was disbanded. In April 1943, I. Battalion of the 1st SS Volunteer Regiment was retitled Volunteer Battalion Narwa (German: Freiwillige-Bataillon Narwa) and detached from the Legion. It joined the Nordic-recruited 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking , replacing

8208-453: The Finnish 200th Infantry Regiment, which had recently returned to Estonia.In total, 1,800 Estonian former members of the 200th Infantry Regiment joined the division in August. As their largest operation, supported by the 37th and 38th Estonian Police Battalions and a tank squadron commanded by Mauritz Freiherr von Strachwitz, they destroyed the bridgehead of two Soviet divisions and recaptured Kärevere Bridge by 30 August. The operation shifted

8352-400: The German SS, and therefore the Commission holds them not to be a movement hostile to the government of the United States." Most living veterans of the division belong to the 20th Estonian Waffen Grenadier Division Veterans Union (Estonian: 20. Eesti Relvagrenaderide Diviisi Veteranide Ühendus ). It was founded in 2000 and gatherings of veterans of the division are organised by the union on

8496-425: The German armed forces was well under way. By Spring 1944, approximately 32,000 men were drafted into the German forces, with the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division consisting of some 15,000 men. In July 1944, the Volunteer Battalion Narwa returned to Estonia and was absorbed by the division. Also in July, the division reached full combat strength. When Steiner ordered a withdrawal to the Tannenberg Line on 25 July,

8640-422: The Germans expanded the Legion to brigade size, initially titling it as the Estonian SS Volunteer Brigade (German: Estnische SS-Freiwillige Brigade ), under the command of Augsberger. The 1st SS Volunteer Regiment became the 45th SS Volunteer Regiment, and the 53rd Artillery Battalion was formed to support the brigade. In July 1943, the 657th Estonian Company and 660th Estonian Battalion were used to help form

8784-413: The Germans had announced the formation of the Estonian SS Legion , as part of the Waffen-SS , an armed branch of the German Nazi Party that served alongside but was never formally part of the Wehrmacht during World War II. Its commander was SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Augsberger . While the Estonian leadership would have preferred to reform the Estonian Army, sufficient volunteers came forward for

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8928-419: The Grenaderimägi Hill. The 20th Waffen Grenadier Division was fully raised by August 1944, and had a strength of 13,500 men. In mid-August, the division's 45th Estland and 46th regiments were formed into Kampfgruppe Vent and sent south to help defend the Emajõgi river line, seeing heavy fighting. On 20 August, III. Battalion of the 46th SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiment was formed from I. Battalion of

9072-483: The Information and Communication Technology Center, and the Cyber Information Operations Center and Strategic Communications Center. The Military of Estonia has been introducing new 21st century based cyber warfare and defence formation in order to protect the vital infrastructure and e-infrastructure of Estonia. One of the leading state organizations in Estonian cyber defence is the CERT (the Computer Emergency Response Team of Estonia), established in 2006, as

9216-471: The Iron Division on positions of the Estonian 3rd Division near Limbaži and Straupe , starting the Battle of Cēsis . At that time, the 3rd Estonian Division, including the 2nd Latvian Cēsis regiment under Colonel Krišjānis Berķis , had 5990 infantry and 125 cavalry. Intensive German attacks on Estonian positions continued up to 22 June, without achieving a breakthrough. On 23 June, the Estonian 3rd Division counterattacked, recapturing Cēsis. The anniversary of

9360-437: The Legion or other Schuma battalions. In early 1943, in response to the introduction of conscription and unhappy with German policies, some Estonians fled to Finland and enlisted in the Finnish Army . Soon after, Estonians formed two companies of the 3rd Battalion of the Finnish 47th Infantry Regiment, and soon the 3rd Battalion was entirely made up of Estonians. It fought the Red Army on the Karelian Isthmus before helping form

9504-425: The Legion to be officially established on 1 October at Heidelager near Dębica in occupied Poland . When created, the Legion comprised the 1st SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiment ( German : 1. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Regiment ), which was under the command of an Estonian, SS-Standartenführer Johannes Soodla . In January 1943, three of the best Schuma battalions were disbanded and their members joined

9648-409: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman of the Parliamentary National Defence Committee. The federal government holds executive power in the leadership of the national defence. In peacetime, the Estonian Defence Forces and the national defence organisations, including the Defence League, are led by the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces . In wartime, all these components are commanded by

9792-414: The National Defence Development Plan, the annual number of conscripts should reach 4000 by 2022 after a revision of medical and physical requirements. Increasing the number of soldiers would require more barracks, weapons and other infrastructure. Since 2004, Estonia has been a full member of NATO ; membership had become one of its foremost priorities after the restoration of independence. The United States

9936-430: The Provisional Government was toppled and replaced with the pro-German puppet Provisional Government of Latvia led by Andrievs Niedra . Ulmanis took refuge aboard the steamship "Saratow" under Entente protection. The VI Reserve Corps pushed the Soviets back, capturing Riga on 23 May, continued to advance northwards, and demanded that the Estonian Army ended its occupation of parts of northern Latvia . The real intent of

10080-443: The Pskov offensive Estonian 2nd and 3rd divisions also started southward offensive into Northern-Latvia. By the end of May they had captured Alūksne and Valmiera . Due to simultaneous German-Latvian offensives in Western-Latvia, the situation was becoming very difficult for the Soviets. On 31 May, an Estonian cavalry regiment led by Gustav Jonson reached Gulbene , capturing large amount of rolling stock, including 2 armoured trains.

10224-440: The Red Army together with Leonhard Ritt, commander of the 1st Estonian Rifle Division switched sides on the same day. An offensive destroyed the Estonian Red Army, captured Pskov on 25 May and cleared the territory between Estonia and the Velikaya River of Soviet forces. A few days later White Russian forces arrived in Pskov, but as they were unable to defend the town on their own, some Estonian forces remained in Pskov, while

10368-633: The Soviet Baltic Fleet . Given the overwhelming Soviet force, in order to avoid the bloodshed of entering a futile and hopeless war, on 17 June 1940 the Estonian government decided not to resist. The military occupation of Estonia was complete by 21 June 1940. The armed forces of Estonia were disarmed in July 1940 by the Red Army according to Soviet orders. Only the Signal Battalion , stationed in Tallinn at Raua Street in front of

10512-496: The Soviet Union, and in December it moved further north to Staraya Russa where it joined the German 16th Army . The first steps in expanding the brigade into a division also began in December. In January 1944, the brigade was sent back to Estonia to help defend against a Soviet offensive . By January 1944, the front was pushed back by the Red Army almost all the way to the border of German-occupied Estonia. On 24 January,

10656-435: The Soviet positions. The Estonian troops moved into the trenches. Running out of ammunition, they used Soviet grenades and automatic weapons taken from the fallen. According to some veterans, it appeared that low-flying Soviet bombers were attempting to hit every individual Estonian soldier moving between craters, some of them getting buried under soil from the explosions of Soviet shells. The Soviets were forced to retreat from

10800-500: The Soviets back. The Estonian high command actively reinforced the 1st Division at Narva during the battles, sending in the headquarters of the 3rd Division. General Tõnisson became commander of the Viru Front. After suffering 35,000 casualties in heavy battles, the Red Army was completely exhausted by the end of December. On 19 November, the new government of Jaan Tõnisson decided to restart talks with Soviet Russia, even without

10944-524: The Soviets established what was referred to as the new 'Estonian' Red Army . This sizable force consisted upwards of 80,000 conscripts. In positions along the Narva River the Estonian 1st Division and their allied White Russian Northern Corps repelled the 7th Red Army's attacks. The Red Army heavily bombarded Narva, leaving about 2,000 people homeless yet ultimately failed to capture the city. The majority of Soviet forces were concentrated at and along

11088-572: The Special Operations Force is the development of capabilities for unconventional warfare . The Estonian Defence Forces Cyber Command is responsible for conducting cyber operations that support the Ministry of Defence's area of responsibility. Its tasks include ensuring the operation of IT services and conducting defensive and offensive cyberwarfare . It consists of the Headquarters Support and Signal Battalion ,

11232-620: The United States and Israel. Estonian War of Independence Estonian victory [REDACTED]   Estonia [REDACTED] White Movement 7 January 1919: 4,450 –16,500 Latvian-Estonian Crisis The Estonian War of Independence , also known as the Estonian Liberation War , was a defensive campaign of the Estonian Army and its allies, most notably the United Kingdom , against

11376-584: The VI Reserve Corps was to annex Estonia into a German-dominated puppet state. On 3 June, Estonian General Laidoner issued an ultimatum demanding that German forces must pull back southwards, leaving the broad gauge railway between Ieriķi and Gulbene under Estonian control. When Estonian armoured trains moved out on 5 June to check compliance with this demand, the Baltische Landeswehr attacked them, unsuccessfully. The following day,

11520-626: The Viru Front, including at the Battle of Utria . Finnish volunteers returned to Finland on March–April 1919, having lost 150 men. The Danish-Baltic Auxiliary Corps with approximately 200 men was formed under the command of Captain Richard Gustav Borgelin in April 1919. The company took part in battles against Bolsheviks in Latvia and near Pskov and 19 men were killed by the time their contract ended in September. R. G. Borgelin

11664-589: The Waffen-SS to become II. and I. Battalions of the newly formed 47th SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiment respectively. The commander of the 658th Estonian Battalion, Major Alfons Rebane had been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in February, and was reluctant to transfer to the division. Rebane commanded the 47th SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiment, and was also Augsberger's deputy commander. On 26 May,

11808-504: The Waffen-SS were forced to remain with their units. The author Samuel Mitcham states that all troops wishing to remain in Estonia were released from German service. The author Chris Bishop states that in September 1944, many Estonian troops were released from German service, and the remaining troops were evacuated from Estonia to the Neuhammer training grounds, where the formation was reconstructed from October onwards. In December 1944,

11952-559: The West Russian Volunteer Army attacked Riga. Following the Latvian request to help, Estonia sent two armoured trains to aid repelling the German attack. The Estonian army also remained to support the defence of Latvia against Soviets by defending the front north of Lake Lubāns . Soviet Russia had been attempting to conclude a peace since the spring of 1919. On 25 April 1919, Hungarian Communists offered to mediate

12096-567: The air defence of strategic objects. The Estonian air force was slow to reform due to the severely damaged infrastructure left behind by the Soviet Air Force and air defence units. The Estonian Air Force was restored on April 13, 1994. From 1993 to 1995, Estonia received two Let L-410 UVP transport aircraft, three Mil Mi-2 , and four Mil Mi-8 helicopters. The service branch received old Soviet radar and AAA equipment. The majority of Estonian Air Force units are currently stationed at

12240-556: The anniversaries of the battle of the Tannenberg Line in the Sinimäed Hills . Since 2008, the chairman of the union is Heino Kerde, a former member of the 45th Regiment. In 2002, the Estonian government forced the removal of a monument to Estonian soldiers erected in the Estonian city of Pärnu. The inscription To Estonian men who fought in 1940–1945 against Bolshevism and for the restoration of Estonian independence

12384-581: The armed forces of Estonia have re-opened and restored more than 30 old and new units, as well as several army branches. Since 2011, the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces has been appointed by and is responsible to the Government of Estonia through the Ministry of Defence, rather than to the Riigikogu , as it had been before. This was due to constitutional amendments proposed by the former President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves . In peacetime,

12528-779: The arrival of the Imperial German Army, the Salvation Committee formed by Maapäev issued the Estonian Declaration of Independence in Tallinn on 24 February 1918 and formed the Estonian Provisional Government . This first period of independence was extremely short-lived, as the German troops entered Tallinn the following day. The German authorities recognized neither the provisional government nor its claim for

12672-626: The authority of the Republic. The 49th Red Latvian Riflemen Regiment took the Valga railway junction on 18 December and the city of Tartu on Christmas Eve. Also on Christmas Eve, the 6th Red Rifle Division captured the Tapa railway junction, advancing to within 34 kilometers of the nation's capital Tallinn . Estonian Bolsheviks declared the Estonian Workers' Commune in Narva. By the end of

12816-546: The autumn 2007. In the aftermath of the Cyberattacks on Estonia in 2007 , plans to combine network defence with Estonian military doctrine, and related NATO plans to create a Cybernetic Defence Centre in Estonia, were nicknamed the "Tiger's Defence" ( Estonian : Tiigrikaitse ), in reference to Tiigrihüpe . The Territorial Defence is a reserve force, which is based on the Estonian Defence League-

12960-622: The autumn, the Northwestern Army launched operation White Sword, a major effort to capture Petrograd . With the arms provided by Britain and France, and the operational support by the Estonian Army, Estonian Navy , and Royal Navy, the Northwestern Army began the offensive on 28 September 1919. Estonia supported the Northwestern Army due to the demands of the Entente. The Estonian forces made joint naval and land attacks against

13104-463: The badly-mauled 2nd Estonian Police Regiment was disbanded and its personnel were absorbed by the division. The 2nd Estonian Police Regiment had been formed in July from three veteran police battalions, and had formed part of Kampfgruppe "Jeckeln" commanded by the Higher SS and Police Leader for Northern Russia, SS-Obergruppenführer and General of Waffen-SS and Police , Friedrich Jeckeln , who

13248-587: The campaign, nine were captured, and at least 27 were wounded. Concerned with having Bolshevik rule in the South, Finland delivered funds and weapons. Finland provided 5000 rifles and 20 field guns by 12 December. Finland also sent 3500 volunteers. Pohjan Pojat led by Hans Kalm fought at the Southern Front, including at the Battle of Paju , while I Suomalainen Vapaajoukko led by Martin Ekström fought at

13392-526: The command of sea captain Johan Pitka and Captain Karl Parts . By the beginning of 1919, the Estonian Army had increased its ranks to a total of 13,000 men, with 5,700 on the front facing 8,000 Soviets. The strengthened Estonian Army stopped the 7th Red Army's advance in its tracks between 2 and 5 January 1919 and went on the counter-offensive on 7 January. Tapa was liberated two days later in

13536-415: The commander of the German 18th Army , Generaloberst Georg von Küchler , established 26 Estonian-manned security detachments ( German : Sicherungs-Abteilungen ), which by August 1941 had been formed into the 181st–186th Security Battalions (German: Sicherungs-Bataillone ), each of 700 men. Motivated by a desire for revenge on the Soviet Union, volunteers were plentiful, and while the original intent

13680-585: The commander-in-chief of the defence forces. The Chief of the Defence Forces and the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces are both appointed and released from office by the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Estonia. The Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces is the headquarters of the military of Estonia, and acts as the working body of

13824-480: The conscription proclamation and had returned to Estonia had their rank prefix changed from "SS" to "Waffen" ( Hauptscharführer would be referred to as a Waffen-Hauptscharführer rather than SS-Hauptscharführer ). Since the wearing of SS runes on the collar was forbidden by Augsberger on 21 April 1943, these formations wore national insignia instead. After the Soviet Kingisepp–Gdov Offensive ,

13968-400: The current capabilities, the command and control and shore-to-vessel communications were also to be improved further. The Estonian Air Force (Estonian: Õhuvägi ) is the main arm of the Estonian aviation forces . The roots of the current organization date back to 1918, when August Roos organized the first Estonian aviation unit. The Independence War gave great impetus to the development of

14112-431: The defence detachments were combined into defence battalions (German: Schutzmannschaft-Bataillone ) or Schuma battalions, and by October 1942 there were 5,400 Estonians in 14 battalions, with another 5,100 Estonian civil police. In December 1943, the remaining 18 Schuma battalions were retitled "Estonian Police Battalions". Of these, eleven served in operational areas outside Estonia. In the meantime, on 28 August 1942,

14256-425: The democratic organization of the state. Democratically elected and appointed executive institutions make decisions on the use of the defence forces, determine their respective objectives, allocate necessary resources, and monitor the attainment of the objectives. The implementation of the principles of civilian control is guaranteed by defence-related rights, obligations, and responsibilities legislated by parliament ,

14400-538: The division was deployed on the Lastekodumägi Hill, the first line of defence for the new position. Over the next month, the division was engaged in a heavy defensive battle in the Sinimäed hills. On 26 July, pursuing the withdrawing defenders, the Soviet attack fell onto the Tannenberg Line. The Soviet Air Force and artillery bombarded the German positions, destroying most of the forest on the hills. On

14544-602: The division was ordered to be replaced on the Nevel front and transported to the Narva front, to defend Estonia. The arrival of the I.Battalion, 1st Estonian Regiment at Tartu coincided with the prepared landing operation by the left flank of the Leningrad Front to the west coast of Lake Peipus, 120 kilometres south of Narva. The I.Battalion, 1st Estonian Regiment was placed at the Yershovo Bridgehead on

14688-489: The division was retitled to become the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) ( German : 20. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS (Estnische Nr. 1) ). In May, the division was still 5,000 men understrength, so it was pulled out of the front line and reformed with the recently returned Narwa battalion absorbed into the division as the reconnaissance battalion. By that time, active conscription of Estonian men into

14832-599: The east coast of Lake Peipus. Estonian and German units cleared the west coast of Peipsi of Soviets by 16 February. Soviet casualties were in thousands. On 8 February 1944, the division was attached to SS-Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS Felix Steiner 's III SS (Germanic) Panzer Corps , then defending the Narva bridgehead . The division was to replace the remnants of the 9th and 10th Luftwaffe Field Divisions, which were struggling to hold

14976-468: The end of the summer. The Germans were perceived by most Estonians as liberators from the terror of Stalinist USSR, and hopes were raised for the restoration of the country's independence. The initial enthusiasm that greeted the German invasion changed to disappointment, resentment, and in part even to enmity within a year. Despite initial German policy not to recruit Estonians into the German Army,

15120-599: The entire front back to the southern bank of the Emajõgi and encouraged the II Army Corps to launch an operation attempting to recapture Tartu. The attack of 4–6 September reached the northern outskirts of the city but was repulsed by units of the Soviet 86th , 128th, 291st and 321st Rifle Divisions . Relative calm settled on the front for the subsequent thirteen days. By September, the division totalled 15,400 men, of whom two-thirds were conscripts. Also in September,

15264-546: The external perimeter of the Nuremberg International Tribunal courthouse and the various depots and residences of US officers and prosecutors connected with the trial. The men also guarded the accused Nazi war criminals held in prison during the trial, up until the day of execution. The Nuremberg Trials , in declaring the Waffen-SS a criminal organization, explicitly excluded conscripts in

15408-562: The field hospital. Twenty injured men responded, joining the remnants of other units including a part of the Kriegsmarine and supported by the single remaining Panther tank . The counterattack started from the parish cemetery south of the Tornimägi with the left flank of the assault clearing the hill of Soviet soldiers. The attack continued towards the summit under heavy Soviet artillery and bomber attack, culminating in close combat on

15552-485: The following terms: Tribunal declares to be criminal within the meaning of the Charter the group composed of those persons who had been officially accepted as members of the SS as enumerated in the preceding paragraph who became or remained members of the organization with knowledge that it was being used for the commission of acts declared criminal by Article 6 of the Charter or who were personally implicated as members of

15696-537: The front approaching, the garrison of the Krasnaya Gorka fort mutinied. But the 7th Red Army received reinforcements and counterattacked, pushing the White Russians back, until the front was stabilised with the support from the Estonian 1st Division on the Luga and Saba rivers. The offensive of the Estonian Petseri Battle Group began on 24 May. The 600 troops of 1st Estonian Rifle Regiment of

15840-486: The implementation of national defence activities. The General Staff of the Defence Forces is headed by the Chief of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces. The Estonian Land Forces (Estonian: Maavägi ) is the main arm of the defence forces. The average size of the military formation in peacetime is about 6,700, about 3,200 of whom being conscripts. The Army component of the operational structure consists of

15984-608: The independence of Estonia . After the German Revolution with the capitulation of Imperial Germany at the end of World War I , 11–14 November 1918, the representatives of Germany formally handed over political power to the Estonian Provisional Government. On 16 November 1918, the provisional government called for voluntary mobilization and began to organize the Estonian armed forces, with Konstantin Päts as Minister of War, major general Andres Larka as

16128-513: The line against a Soviet bridgehead north of the town of Narva. Upon arriving at the front on 20 February, the division was ordered to eliminate the Soviet bridgehead. In nine days of heavy fighting, the division pushed the Soviets back across the river and restored the line. The division remained stationed in the Siivertsi and Auvere sectors, being engaged in heavy combat . In April, the 658th and 659th Estonian Battalions were transferred to

16272-488: The main tasks of the EDF are to defend the territorial integrity of the state, to facilitate the arrival and deployment of forces from other countries and co-operate with them, to maintain control over national airspace, and to facilitate the air defence of strategic assets in co-operation with forces from other countries. The national defence of Estonia is conducted on the principles of civilian control, being inherently bound with

16416-653: The main tasks of the EDF are to monitor and maintain control over territorial borders and airspace, maintain combat readiness, train conscripts, develop reserve units, participate in NATO and UN-led international missions, and to provide assistance to civilian authorities in case of a national emergency. In crises, the main tasks of the EDF are to increase the readiness levels of units as required, prepare for transition to wartime structure and begin mobilization as ordered, integrate units from other ministries, and prepare for assistance from and reception of friendly forces. In wartime,

16560-512: The morning of 27 July, the Soviet forces launched another powerful artillery barrage on the Sinimäed. The heaviest Soviet attack took place on 29 July. By noon, the Red Army had almost seized control of the Tannenberg Line. The last reserve on the front, I.Battalion, 1st Estonian Regiment had been spared from the previous counterattacks. The scarcity of able-bodied men forced Sturmbannführer Paul Maitla to request reinforcements from patients in

16704-571: The nation through the German-controlled radio: Estonian troops on Estonian soil have "a significance much wider than what I could and would be able to disclose here". This led to 38,000 men registering for the military, according to Romuald Misiunas and Rein Taagepera . Rolf-Dieter Müller states that 30,000 volunteered in addition to those conscripted, and another source states that the 20th SS Division received 15,000 volunteers, which

16848-817: The naval forces are situated at the Miinisadam Naval Base . Its current structure operates the Mineships Division which also includes a diving group. In addition, there is the Naval Academy and the Naval Headquarters which are situated in Tallinn. Since 1995, numerous mine clearance operations have been carried out in Estonian waters in close co-operation with other navies of the Baltic Sea region in order to find and dispose ordnances and contribute to safe seagoing. In 2007

16992-625: The opposing Red armies were still active. The Estonian High Command decided to push their defense lines across the border into Russia in support of the White Russian Northern Corps. On 13 May, the Northern Corps went on the offensive at Narva, catching the Soviets by surprise and destroying their 6th Division. The offensive was supported along the Gulf of Finland 's coast by the British and Estonian navy and marines. With

17136-527: The organization in the commission of such crimes, excluding, however, those who were drafted into membership by the State in such a way as to give them no choice in the matter, and who had committed no such crimes. The Nuremberg tribunal ruled that the 30,000 Estonians who had served in the Baltic Legions were conscripts, not volunteers, and defined them as freedom fighters protecting their homelands from

17280-412: The participation of other Baltic countries. Negotiations began on 5 December, with the main point of dispute being territorial issues. Talks continued through December, with both sides pressing their territorial demands, while heavy fighting continued at Narva. The peace treaty was finally concluded on 31 December 1919, and the ceasefire came into effect on 3 January 1920. Foreign assistance, mostly from

17424-573: The pocket. In April, the remnants of the division were moved south to the area around Goldberg . After the Prague Offensive , the division attempted to break out to the west, in order to surrender to the western Allies . The Czech partisans resumed their hostilities on the surrendered Estonian troops regardless of their intentions. In what veterans of the Estonian Division who had laid their weapons down in May 1945 recall as

17568-526: The president of United States , George W. Bush . Among the topics discussed were the attacks on Estonian e-infrastructure. The attacks triggered a number of military organisations around the world to reconsider the importance of network security in modern military doctrine. On June 14, 2007, defence ministers of NATO members held a meeting in Brussels , issuing a joint communiqué promising immediate action. The first public results were estimated to arrive by

17712-443: The readiness of the nation to defend its independence and constitutional order, including in the event of military threat. It plays an important role in supporting the civil structures. Its members aid in putting out wildfires, volunteer as assistant police members, and ensure safety at various public events. Units, consisting of voluntary members of the Defence League, also participate in international peace support operations such as in

17856-401: The remains of the Northwestern Army that retreated behind the state border. The 7th and 15th Soviet Armies advancing behind collapsing White Russian forces continued to attack the fortified positions at the state border near Narva. The first clashes took place on Luga River on 16 November, starting the conclusive battles with 120,000 Soviets facing 40,000 Estonians. After repeated attacks,

18000-473: The rest returning to Sweden. 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) The 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) was a foreign infantry division of the Waffen-SS that served alongside the Wehrmacht during World War II . According to some sources, the division was under Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler 's overall command but was not an integral part of

18144-629: The rest were pulled back to the state border. The Northern Corps mobilised members of the local population in the Pskov region . On 19 June 1919, the Estonian Commander-in-Chief General Johan Laidoner rescinded his command over the White Russians, and they were renamed the Northwestern Army . Shortly afterwards, General Nikolai N. Yudenich took command of the troops. Simultaneously with

18288-431: The southern front under the command of Major-General Ernst Põdder . At Võru, the situation became critical on 22 April when the Red Army approached to within 1.5 km of the town. Heavy fighting continued at the southeastern front up to the first half of May. On 25 April, the Red Latvian Riflemen captured Rūjiena , but were soon pushed back by the 3rd Division to Salacgrīva - Seda - Gauja line. On 5–7 April 1919

18432-529: The southern front. The North Latvian Brigade under the command of Jorģis Zemitāns was formed from the citizens of Latvia who had fled to Estonia. In March 1919, an agreement was signed with the Ingrian National People's Committee for the formation of an Ingrian battalion. By May 1919, there were 6,000 Russians, 4,000 Latvians and 700 Ingrians in their respective national units. Although the Estonian Army had attained control over its country,

18576-463: The southern front. The so-called 'Estonian' Red Army captured Alūksne , Setomaa , Vastseliina , and Räpina parishes by 15 March. Having received reinforcements, the Estonian 2nd Division counterattacked and regained Petseri by 29 March. Subsequently, the 'Estonian' Red Army was pushed behind the Optjok River. On 27 March, the Estonian 3rd Division was deployed along the western flank of

18720-637: The time consisted of 2,000 men with light weapons and about 14,500 poorly armed men in the Estonian Defence League. The end of November 1918 saw the formation of the Baltic Battalion, primarily a mounted machine-gun company plus infantry. Estonia's Baltic German minority provided a sizable troop of volunteer militia for the Battalion, which was one of the first fighting units of the Estonian Army, and maintained staunch loyalty to

18864-401: The war. While the British navy provided considerable support, the historian William Fletcher concludes that "the British naval force would have had little effect on the outcome of Baltic affairs had not the Estonians and Latvians provided a vibrant and disciplined land and sea force". The British contributed 88 ships to the Baltic campaign, of which 16 were sunk. 128 British servicemen died in

19008-464: The year, the 7th Red Army controlled Estonia along the front line 34 kilometers east of Tallinn, west from Tartu and south of Ainaži . Colonel Johan Laidoner was appointed Commander in chief of the Estonian armed forces. He recruited 600 officers and 11,000 volunteers by 23 December 1918. He reorganized the forces by setting up the 2nd Division in Southern Estonia under the command of Colonel Viktor Puskar , along with commando units, such as

19152-416: Was announced by the German occupying authorities. The division was formed in Estonia around a cadre comprising the 3rd Estonian SS Volunteer Brigade, and was initially known as the 20th Estonian SS Volunteer Division . By 1944, a total of 60.000 Estonians were fighting in the ranks of the SS and Wehrmacht. A total of 38,000 men were conscripted in Estonia, while other Estonian units that had been part of

19296-424: Was announced in Estonia by the German authorities. On 7 February, the pre-war Prime minister Jüri Uluots switched his stand on mobilization when the Soviet Army reached the Estonian border. At the time the Estonian units under German control had about 14,000 men. Counting on a German debacle, Uluots considered it imperative to have large numbers of Estonians armed, through any means. Uluots even managed to tell it to

19440-415: Was disarmed. In the Second World War , many Estonians joined Nazi Germany 's Wehrmacht auxiliary units, as well as eventually contributing volunteers and conscripts for the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS , which fought against the Allies ' USSR. The Estonian Defence Forces was restored on September 3, 1991, by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia . Since its reformation in 1991,

19584-402: Was enough for it to reach full strength. The Estonian History Commission reported 32,000 men were conscripted after Uluots's call. After the mobilised men had made known their reluctance in being a part of the Waffen-SS and wearing the SS uniform, SS-Obersturmführer Bernhardt redefined the concept of volunteering: individuals do not matter any more and can no longer decide on volunteering; it

19728-435: Was executed for war crimes after the war. On 29 October 1944, the 287th Estonian Police Battalion was absorbed by the division. The 287th Estonian Police Battalion had been formed in April 1943 from men who had deserted from the Estonian-recruited Red Army 249th Rifle Division the previous month. Sources differ on what happened next. According to Müller, when the German military retreated from Estonia, Estonian volunteers in

19872-399: Was for these units to serve as guards in Estonia, they were sent to the front line and acquitted themselves well. By March 1942, there were 16 Estonian battalions and companies in the Soviet Union, totalling 10,000 men. In October 1942, the existing security battalions were re-organised into "Eastern" battalions, with the 181st becoming the 658th, the 182nd becoming the 659th, one company of

20016-435: Was possible because the terms of their armistice with the Western Allies obliged the Germans to maintain their armies in the East to counter the Bolshevist threat. The VI Reserve Corps also included the 1st Independent Latvian Battalion led by Oskars Kalpaks , which consisted of ethnic Latvians loyal to the Provisional Government of Latvia. The Germans disrupted the organization of Latvian national forces, and on 16 April 1919

20160-424: Was precluded. The following day Narva was liberated. Consequent to this the northeastern front stabilized along the Narva river. Within 11 days, the 1st Division had advanced 200 km. In the southern sphere-of-conflict, Tartu was liberated through the rapid deployment of armored trains and the Tartumaa Partisan Battalion. The 2nd Division continued to advance southwards facing increasing Soviet resistance. In

20304-438: Was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and given Maidla manor in gratitude for his services. The Swedish volunteer unit under the command of Carl Mothander was formed in Sweden in early 1919. In March 1919, 178 volunteers took part in scout missions in Virumaa. In April, the company was sent to the Southern front and took part of the battles near Pechory. In May, the company was disbanded with some volunteers joining other units and

20448-400: Was put under the command of the Latvian Provisional Government and sent to fight against the Red Army. However, to circumvent Entente's orders, the troops of the disbanded VI Reserve Corps, instead of leaving, were incorporated into the West Russian Volunteer Army , officially hired by the German puppet Government of Latvia and led by Pavel Bermondt-Avalov . In October, fighting restarted when

20592-454: Was soon stopped by a Soviet buildup ostensibly for a new expansionist offensive into Estonia. On the first Independence Day of 24 February 1919, the pro-independence Estonian forces on the front consisted of 19,000 men, 70 field guns, and 230 machine guns. Estonia had become the first country to repel the Soviet westward offensive . In the second half of February, the Red armies started the new Soviet offensive to capture Estonia. To this end,

20736-428: Was the cause of the controversy. The monument was rededicated in Lihula in 2004 but was soon removed because the Estonian government opposed the opening. On 15 October 2005 the monument was finally moved to the grounds of the Museum of Fight for Estonia's Freedom in Lagedi near the Estonian capital, Tallinn. On 28 July 2007, a gathering of some 300 veterans of the 20th Waffen-Grenadier-Division and of other units of

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