Johan Pitka , VR I/1 , KCMG (also Juhan Pitka ; 19 February 1872 – 22 November 1944) was an Estonian entrepreneur and sea captain who served as the Commander of the Estonian Navy during the Estonian War of Independence .
70-719: Pitka was one of the main founders the Estonian Navy and the Estonian Defence Forces of the newly established Estonian Republic at the end of World War I in 1918. Pitka was appointed the Commander of the Estonian Navy in December 1918, leading it through the Estonian War of Independence without losing a ship, and acquired important armoured trains and armoured cars for Estonian forces. Pitka
140-679: A dash ; for example, 1-21-00.26 ha would mean 1 hectare, 21 ares, and 0.26 centiares (12,100.26 m ). The metric system of measurement was first given a legal basis in 1795 by the French Revolutionary government. The law of 18 Germinal, Year III (7 April 1795) defined five units of measure: In 1960, when the metric system was updated as the International System of Units (SI), the are did not receive international recognition. The International Committee for Weights and Measures ( CIPM ) makes no mention of
210-404: A double prefix is non-standard. The decimilliare is (100 mm) or roughly a four-inch-by-four-inch square. The centiare is one square metre. The deciare (rarely used) is ten square metres. The are ( / ɑːr / or / ɛər / ) is a unit of area, equal to 100 square metres ( 10 m × 10 m ), used for measuring land area. It was defined by older forms of the metric system , but
280-440: A book by Irving Cooper about fitness and health from English to Estonian in 1935 after he had returned from Canada. He also translated a spiritual work with a foreword by Helena Blavatsky . Pitka wrote about his years commanding the barque Lilly and also wrote his other memoirs in four volumes that were edited by Evald Past . Estonian Defence Forces The Estonian Defence Forces ( Estonian : Eesti Kaitsevägi )
350-793: 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, the Peace Treaty of Tartu was signed by the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic . After winning
420-439: A few other units including the are (and implicitly the hectare ) whose use was limited to the measurement of land. The names centiare , deciare , decare and hectare are derived by adding the standard metric prefixes to the original base unit of area, the are . The decimilliare (dma, sometimes seen in cadastre area evaluation of real estate plots) is 1 ⁄ 10,000 are or one square decimetre. Such usage of
490-835: 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 the Tallinn School No. 21 , continued to resist. As the Red Army brought in additional reinforcements supported by armoured fighting vehicles ,
560-487: A long time. Several stories relate that he died either in a battle against a Soviet tank group or in the stormy Baltic Sea when trying to make his way to Sweden aboard one of the last small boats fleeing the country. A look into his family tree , however, reveals that on 22 November 1944, Pitka was in combat with a Soviet battalion in Kõue , Harju County . His troops lost the battle, and Pitka committed suicide by injecting
630-550: A measure of land area. The names of the older land measures of similar size are usually used, redefined as exactly one decare: The most commonly used units are in bold . One hectare is also equivalent to: The Unicode character U+33CA ㏊ SQUARE HA , in the CJK Compatibility block, is intended for compatibility with pre-existing East Asian character codes. It is not intended for use in alphabetic contexts. U+3336 ㌶ SQUARE HEKUTAARU
700-462: 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, the main tasks of the EDF are to defend the territorial integrity of the state, to facilitate
770-466: A non-SI unit accepted for use with the SI and whose use is "expected to continue indefinitely". Though the dekare/decare daa (1,000 m ) and are (100 m ) are not officially "accepted for use", they are still used in some contexts. The hectare ( / ˈ h ɛ k t ɛər , - t ɑː r / ), although not a unit of SI, is the only named unit of area that is accepted for use with SI units . The name
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#1732772760072840-569: 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
910-704: A sedating syringe, so as to not fall into the hands of the Soviets alive. Pitka's wife and daughters with their husbands fled to Sweden in 1944, re-immigrated to Canada in 1948, settled in Vancouver and are buried there. In January 1920 to give recognition to his activities during the Great War, the KCMG Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George was awarded to him by King George V . The Estonian government valued his contribution by awarding him
980-601: A short time but left the organisation in 1932. Ge was also a member of the National Constituent Assembly ( Rahvuskogu ) in 1937. Following the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940, Pitka escaped to Finland , and his three sons were arrested by the Soviets and died in captivity. In April 1944, Pitka returned to Estonia as the frontline of the Eastern Front of World War II was approaching
1050-576: 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
1120-542: 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
1190-544: 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
1260-599: 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
1330-652: 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 the implementation of national defence activities. The General Staff of the Defence Forces is headed by the Chief of the Headquarters of
1400-456: Is now outside the modern International System of Units (SI). It is still commonly used in speech to measure real estate, in particular in Indonesia, India, and in various European countries. In Russian and some other languages of the former Soviet Union , the are is called sotka (Russian: сотка : 'a hundred', i.e. 100 m or 1 ⁄ 100 hectare). It is used to describe
1470-651: Is often called "the Spirit of the Estonian War of Independence" due to his commitment to his country. Johan Pitka was born on 19 February 1872 in Jalgsema , Kreis Jerwen in the Governorate of Estonia of the Russian Empire , into an Estonian family. Pitka studied at Käsmu , Kuressaare and Paldiski marine schools and became a Master Mariner . From 1889 to 1907 he worked on sailing ships . In 1895, he
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#17327727600721540-711: 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, 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
1610-406: 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
1680-998: 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, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman of the Parliamentary National Defence Committee. The federal government holds executive power in
1750-668: Is the unified military force of the Republic of Estonia . The Estonian Defence Forces consists of the Estonian Land Forces , the Estonian Navy , the Estonian Air Force , and the paramilitary Estonian Defence League . The national defence policy aims to guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state and maintain the integrity of its land area, territorial waters, airspace, and constitutional order. Its main goals remain
1820-670: 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, 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
1890-658: 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
1960-1151: The European Union , New Zealand and Australia (since 1970). However, the United Kingdom, the United States, Myanmar (Burma), and to some extent Canada, use the acre instead of the hectare for measuring surface or land area. Some countries that underwent a general conversion from traditional measurements to metric measurements (e.g. Canada) required a resurvey when units of measure in legal descriptions relating to land were converted to metric units. Others, such as South Africa, published conversion factors which were to be used particularly "when preparing consolidation diagrams by compilation". In many countries, metrification redefined or clarified existing measures in terms of metric units. The following legacy units of area have been redefined as being equal to one hectare: In Mexico, land area measurements are commonly given as combinations of hectares, ares, and centiares. These are commonly written separated by
2030-655: The Germans occupied Estonia in 1918, Pitka began to organize the Estonian Defence League . At the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence , the Defence League was one of the main forces of the Republic of Estonia , and at that time Pitka also started organising the armoured trains . The first armoured train was ready ten days after the beginning of the war, and the second became ready two weeks later. In total, 12 armoured trains were built during
2100-540: 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
2170-590: 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 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
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2240-466: 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 a British naval squadron . In January 1919, the Estonian armed forces launched
2310-765: 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,
2380-593: The are in the 2019 edition of the SI brochure, but classifies the hectare as a "Non-SI unit accepted for use with the International System of Units". In 1972, the European Economic Community (EEC) passed directive 71/354/EEC, which catalogued the units of measure that might be used within the Community. The units that were catalogued replicated the recommendations of the CGPM, supplemented by
2450-544: 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
2520-662: The Cross of Liberty I/1. Pitka is also a recipient of the Latvian military Order of Lāčplēsis , 2nd class. In 2009, Estonian officials and District of Fort St. James representatives dedicated a monument to Johan Pitka. Located in Spirit Square Park in Fort St. James, BC, Canada. This monument contains a time capsule to be opened upon the 100th anniversary of its placement. Pitka was also a prolific author. He translated
2590-494: 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
2660-617: 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 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
2730-671: 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 the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in its Secret Additional Protocol . According to this treaty, Estonia
2800-727: The Hudson Bay officials, the local Dakelh people and other residents. Although they tried growing crops, sheep farming , dairy farming and sawmilling , a sustainable existence proved elusive, largely because it was extremely difficult to get their goods to market given a change in the Provincial Government and a devaluation of the Canadian dollar during the Great Depression . The delayed local development and frustrating access to markets caused all members of
2870-484: 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
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2940-415: 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
3010-426: 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 ,
3080-452: The United States and Israel. Hectare The hectare ( / ˈ h ɛ k t ɛər , - t ɑːr / ; SI symbol: ha ) is a non-SI metric unit of area equal to a square with 100- metre sides (1 hm ), that is, 10,000 square metres (10,000 m ), and is primarily used in the measurement of land. There are 100 hectares in one square kilometre. An acre is about 0.405 hectares and one hectare contains about 2.47 acres. In 1795, when
3150-502: 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
3220-466: 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 the democratic organization of the state. Democratically elected and appointed executive institutions make decisions on
3290-412: 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-
3360-433: 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 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
3430-533: 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 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
3500-489: The capture of Narva from the Russian SFSR in January 1919, and supporting the Estonian 3rd Division by attacking Landeswehr naval fortifications in Riga in July 1919. He achieved the rank of a rear admiral in September 1919. Pitka retired from military activity in 1920, and for his service in the Baltic region during and after the Russian Revolution, he was awarded a knighthood – Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George ( KCMG ) – by Britain's King George V upon
3570-452: The country again. He entered Estonia without permission from German officials and began to organize a military defence while living underground. The Germans gave him permission to return after he had already been in the country for several months, and allowed him to establish his own armed unit. In September, when the Germans were retreating from Estonia, Jüri Uluots organized a new Estonian government headed by Otto Tief . An appeal by Pitka
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#17327727600723640-401: 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
3710-420: The development and maintenance of a credible capability to defend the nation's vital interests and of the defence forces in a way that ensures their interoperability with the armed forces of NATO and European Union member states in order to participate in the full range of missions for these military alliances. The Estonian Defence Forces has its origins linked to the Estonian War of Independence . After
3780-410: 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 the Estonian War of Independence . The small, poorly armed Estonian military, also known as
3850-418: The group to move elsewhere or return to Estonia by 1932. Landmarks around Fort St. James still bear their name (e.g. Pitka Mountain, Pitka Bay, Pitka Bay Resort, Lind(a) Lake, Colony Point and Paaren's Beach Provincial Park). In 2009, a monument honouring Pitka was unveiled in Fort St. James. The Pitkas had some prosperous years upon return to Estonia. Pitka was one of the leaders of the League of Liberators for
3920-437: 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 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
3990-416: The metric system was introduced, the are was defined as 100 square metres , or one square decametre , and the hectare (" hecto- " + "are") was thus 100 ares or 1 ⁄ 100 km (10,000 square metres). When the metric system was further rationalised in 1960, resulting in the International System of Units ( SI ), the are was not included as a recognised unit. The hectare, however, remains as
4060-488: 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
4130-455: The navies of other friendly countries. In case of 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
4200-473: 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
4270-443: 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
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#17327727600724340-447: The recommendation of British Admiral Sir Walter Cowan . As a former merchant seaman and Canadian Pacific Railway Co. representative, Pitka had some familiarity with Canada's immigration policies, the availability of land for homesteading, and Canada's natural beauty. The promise of new roads in and extension of the railway caused Pitka to establish a settlement in the Sowchea area of Fort St. James , British Columbia . The Sowchea area
4410-429: The size of suburban dacha or allotment garden plots or small city parks where the hectare would be too large. Many Russian dachas are 6 ares in size (in Russian, шесть соток ). The decare or dekare ( / ˈ d ɛ k ɑːr , - ɛər / ) is derived from deca and are , and is equal to 10 ares or 1000 square metres. It is used in Norway and in the former Ottoman areas of the Middle East and Bulgaria as
4480-403: 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 , the President , and the government of the republic. The highest leader of the national defence
4550-408: The war (only one was lost in battle), and they played a crucial role in Estonian victory in the war. Many called Pitka "the father of the armoured trains" and "the Spirit of the War of Independence" for this. Pitka was also one of the main organizers of the Estonian Navy , being appointed commander in December 1918 and leading it in all major operations, including supporting the Estonian 1st Division in
4620-419: Was coined in French, from the Latin ārea . In practice the hectare is fully derived from the SI, being equivalent to a square hectometre. It is widely used throughout the world for the measurement of large areas of land, and it is the legal unit of measure in domains concerned with land ownership, planning, and management , including law ( land deeds ), agriculture, forestry , and town planning throughout
4690-406: Was on the first sailing ship to transit the Kiel Canal in Germany. From 1904 to 1911, he lived in United Kingdom . After the beginning of the Russian Revolution in 1917, Pitka became active in Estonia and started organizing returning Estonian soldiers who fought in the Imperial Russian Army during World War I . After the Bolsheviks sentenced him to death, he was forced to go underground. When
4760-662: Was on the other side of Stuart Lake from the Hudson's Bay Company trading post. On 3 April 1924, a group of Estonian settlers arrived in Fort St. James whose population was about 50 Caucasians and 500 indigenous natives. The initial settlers were Pitka's family consisting of: Lady Mari-Helene Pitka, sons Edward and Stanley, daughters Saima and Linda and son-in law Lt. Aleksander Päären; families Andrekson, Rosin and Saar; Col. Steinman, Mr. Nilk and Mr. Pärtelson with wives; and Messrs. Kuusk, Olem, Puhm, Sulakatk, Vaimel, Unger and Wilmanson. They began homesteading on more than 300 hectares of land. The Estonian settlers were happy living with
4830-462: Was published in a newspaper in Tallinn , calling for volunteers to fight against the imminent Red Army offensive. Around 600 men joined the unit and began training at a camp in Kehra , located next to the camp of the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) . Pitka's unit fought the last defence of Tallinn against the Red Army, but were eventually pushed west and he disappeared. The circumstances of his disappearance remained unknown for
4900-420: 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 the Soviet Baltic Fleet . Given the overwhelming Soviet force, in order to avoid the bloodshed of entering
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