5. ESTONIANS IN THE WEHRMACHT
In the autumn of 1941 the Wehrmacht formed six Estonian security detachments. Initial enlistment was for one year. These battalion-sized units consisted of Estonians and were commanded by Estonian officers. In each battalion there was, however, a German liaison officer with authority to override the battalion commander's orders.
The battalions were formed under the 18th Army as independent battalions meant for security duties in the rear of the front line and armed accordingly. The armament consisted originally of captured Soviet rifles and machine guns. Each battalion had four rifle companies with a heavy machine-gun platoon in each company. In spite of initial intentions, the German Army was forced to use these battalions in front-line duties due to increasing enemy activity and long front-lines.
Estonian personnel in these battalions were well motivated volunteers. Also, nearly every man had received his basic training in the Estonian army and many had seen action in the summer of 1941. Officers were largely Estonian reserve officers or career officers of the Estonian army. This combination of training, motivation and experience would have resulted in even more effective units if properly equipped from the beginning.
The original units were numbered from 181 to 186 with the initial two numbers referring to the 18th Army. The official German name was e.g. Estnisches Sicherheit Abteilung 181 or in Estonian, Julgestusgrupp nr 181. Estonians themselves saw in these a continuum maintaining the traditions of their own army, although in foreign overall command. Accordigly, these battalions were unofficially called as Estonian National Battalions; the singular form in Estonian being Eesti rahvuspataljon. Also, the battalions were often called according to their initial commanders. Therefore, Estnisches Sicherheit Abteilung 184, Julgestusgrupp nr 184, Ellrami pataljon (Ellram's battalion), Neljas Eesti rahvuspataljon (4th Estonian national battalion) all mean the same.
The battalions were formed of four or five companies, officially called Hundertschaft. The companies were to have three platoons each. The prescribed strenthh was 657 men, but the actual strength and unit compositions varied so that e.g. the 181st bataillon's initial strngth was 760 men formed in four companies.
The battalions individual histories were as follows (more details to be added in future):
Estn. Sich. Abt 181
This was the first of the battalions and initally commanded by major August Vask. The forming was begun in Tartu August 28th. On September 11th the battalion was sent guard duties along the railway between Narva and Jamburg. In December the battalion was sent to front-line duties.
Estn. Sich. Abt 182
First commander was Captain Tammemägi and the battalion was formed in Põltsamaa. After Tammemägi was killed the battalion was under command of Captain Paas, Captain Mikumägi and lastly, Captain Jüri Sooden.
Estn. Sich. Abt 183
First commander lieutenant colonel Stockeby, the battalion formed in Pärnu. Colonel Stockeby was forced to resign after disgareement with the German liaison officer and the battalion was taken over by lieutenant Ant for a short time. The battalion served in the Leningrad front performing security duties.
Estn. Sich. Abt 184
First commander Major Ellram.
Estn. Sich. Abt 185
First commander Major Ellandi, later A. Asu (formerly of the Estonian Air Force)
Estn. Sich. Abt 186
After the one-year enlistment was over, many of the volunteers were disillusioned with the Germans and declined to renew their contract. The six battalions were merged into three and renamed as Eastern battalions, numbered 658-660. From the beginning of 1943 the battalions were officially called Estonian battalions. Respective terms in German/ Estonian were Ostbataillon/Idapataljon and Estnische bataillon/Eesti pataljon.
The volunteers had been active in bettering their equipment situation by own initiative. In addition to this, some amounts of more suitable equipment had been issued by the Germans but at this stage the three battalions were accepted as proper Wehrmacht battalions and properly equipped.
Individual histories of the battalions were as follows (more details to be added in future):
Estn. Bat 658
Commander Captain Alfons Rebane. Returned to Estonia in February 1944 with ca. 200 men.
Estn. Bat 659
Commander Captain Sooden. Returned to Estonia in February 1944 with ca. 250 men.
Estn. Bat 660
Commander Major Ellram. Returned to Estonia in February 1944 with ca. 250 men.
In the spring of 1944 all three battalions were transferred, largely disregarding their own wishes in the matter, to the Estonian SS-division and used to augment division to a full three regiment division with three-battalion regiments.
