Collection about estonians in WW2

[Sturmmann]

Thanks everyone!

To anmarlodz: I guess the cemetary scene in the movie "1944" was made after these photos. The photos belonged to an estonian NCO who served in I batallion of the 47th regiment and these were published in several books before the movie was released.

Here is a sad story of an estonian Uscha. Oskar Unt who was KIA in Ostfront near Tarassovo. Group of letters sent from his girlfriend to him and all the letters have "zurück" marked on the envelope - it means the letters were sent back to the sender. In one of the last sent envelopes is a tiny piece of paper with a short message "langenud 10.11.43" - KIA 10.11.43 and the markings of censorship.

[Sturmmann]

Really like the design & finish on those; great looking set of badges!

Here are some close up pictures of few of them - pilot, 10th infantry batallion and naval fortress. All three badges were manufactured by the Roman Tavast jewellery company in 1930's.

[GiuseppeC]

Here are some close up pictures of few of them - pilot, 10th infantry batallion and naval fortress. All three badges were manufactured by the Roman Tavast jewellery company in 1930's.

Wonderful, historical collection in general, but your Estonian badges are magnificent!

I've always wanted the pilot's badge, but have never seen one for sale like yours.

Really, truly spectacular!

Regrettably, my only Estonian piece is a 2nd Class Order of the Cross of the Eagle, also Tavast. They made very high-quality pieces...

How long did it take you to build this?

Thank you for showing this amazing collection!

Best Regards,

Andre

[Sevrin]

Great

Really striking design on those unit badges. First time seeing those for me.

If you get time; wondered if you might show a close up of the black "cross" top row, marked 1918 (or 16?), 31 XII.

Thanks!


James

[Wilhelm]

A wonderful collection! Lots of details. Thanks for posting.

[Sturmmann]

If you get time; wondered if you might show a close up of the black "cross" top row, marked 1918 (or 16?), 31 XII.

The badge You were referring to is Sakala Single Infantry Batallion's badge and the date on the badge is the date when the unit was established.
I will also add two more badges - the one with the wings and skull is the badge of teh Armoured Trains Regiments (1. and 2. AT Regiments both had the same unit badge). This badge belonged to an estonian officer who later served in the Wehrmacht as a batallions commander in one of the Estonian Border Guard Regiments and was killed in action on 11.08.1944.
The third badge is the badge of the Pioneer Batallion.

[Sturmmann]

The badge and the miniature badge of the Kuperjanov Infantry batallion, manufactured in 1930's.

Here is a short history about Julius Kuperjanov and his batallion -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuperj...ntry_Battalion

The badge belonged to an estonian officer Jakob Ernits. After the Soviet Union occupied Estonia in 1940 Estonian army was reorganized and became the 22nd Rifle Corps of the Red Army. After the beginning of German-Russian war the 22nd Rifle Corps were taken to Russia and took part of the battles near Porhov, Dno and Staraja-Russa in July 1941. Many estonian soldiers and officers surrendered to germans - among others were also Paul Maitla and Harald Riipalu who were both awarded with Knight Cross of the Iron Cross in 1944. The owner of the Kuperjanov badge, captain Jakob Ernits wasn't so lucky - he was killed by the russians on 18.07.1941 when made an attempt to surrender to germans.

[Sevrin]

Thank you for showing those close-ups. Those are some interesting and attractive badges. Also, very informative reading the history surrounding these awards & events!


James

[Sturmmann]

Here is a Wehrmacht M42 tunic that must have belonged to an estonian volunteer. Collar tabs, NCO tresse and eagle are period applied - awards, straps and shield were added by me. Ribbon bar and ribbons from the 2nd buttonhole are stripped off but there are remains of two different ribbons behind the buttonhole - a piece of red and a piece of green ribbon. The green one is most probably from Ostvölker medal and that's what makes me relate it to an estonian and probably a volunteer from 1941 or 1942 year. I found the tunic about 15 years ago from a farmhouse.

[Sturmmann]

Many estonians were mobilized to the Red Army in 1941 and were taken to Soviet Union. After the summer battles in 1941 where estonians proved themselves to be completely untrustworthy the 22nd Estonian Rifle Corps were liquidated and men were sent to labour batallions. A lot of them died in there because of the extreme cold, starvation and diseases. In the end of 1941 the 7th Estonian Rifle Division were formed and a bit later 249th Estonian Rifle Division - these two divisions later became the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps. Most of the men who managed to survive the labour batallions volunteered to these divisions just to get some food.

In the end of 1942 the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps were sent to the front near the city of Velikije Luki. The corps suffered heavy losses - over 10 000 men KIA, WIA and MIA. A lot of MIA where actually men who surrendered to germans with the hope to escape from Soviet Union and get back home.

Here are some more information about the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_Estonian_Rifle_Corps

And here are some wartime Red Army awards - not all of the awards on the picture were awarded to soldiers / officers of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps, there are also some which belonged to russians from other units but most of them belonged to estonians who fought in the Red Army.

My favourite grouping is the one to which I've added the numbers - these belonged to an estonian officer Lembit Haljaste who were awarded with 1 class Order of Great Patriotic War for the battles in Velikiye Luki and 2 class for the battles in Estonia in 1944. Only twenty one men from 8th Rifle Corps were awarded with 1 class GPW for the battles in Velikye Luki!

[paulsmilitaria]

Great collection and fantastic pictures

Great collection and fantastic pictures

[Sturmmann]

Couple overview pictures of the room ...

[Sturmmann]

...

[Gene]

Amazing stuff Taavi, well done

[Etienne B.]

Tere Taavi,

Great collection ! Thanks for showing...