[烛光生存狂]-Soviet Destroying Battalions in Estonia 1941

On 24th June the Coucil of the People’s Comissars ordered NKVD to create Destroying Battalions (DB). Their task was to fight against enemy airdrops. They were to be under the operative command of the NKVD. On 26th June orders came from Moscow that the NKVD is responsible for the the rear areas of the armies. The DBs later also acted according to the scorched earth tactics. The DBs at least in Estonia distinguished themselves with a long trail of atrocities

In July 1941 alltogether 1 755 DBs were created: of these in Ukraine 675, in Belorussia 78, in Moldavia 63, in Latvia 20. In Lithuainia the Soviets didn’t have time to form them.

In Estonia:

The members were mostly volunteers (Communists and their symphatisers) but also mobilized men were later forced to join. It is known that also criminals were taken from prison if they volunteered. In many battalions there were not only Estonians but also many from other nationalities who lived in Estonia. Usually there were about 200-300 men (and women). Mostly armed with rifles, also MGs. Usually there were three companies (each three squads). They were often supplied with trucks, busses so to increase mobility.The commanders, appointed from NKVD, were usually not Estonians. It is guessed that about 6 000 – 8 000 men (and women) were in the DBs which were formed in Estonia. In the Baltic Border Guard District there was created the NKVD Operative Group for leading the DBs.

About 4 000 Latvian DB members retreated to Estonia, they were formed into two “workers regiments” here.

DBs which existed on 1st July 1941 and their fate:

4th Tallinn DB – was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

5th Narva DB – was included into the Narva Workers Regiment in August.

6th Virumaa DB – was included into the Narva Workers Regiment in August.

7th Tallinn DB – was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

10th Harjumaa DB – was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

11th Läänemaa DB – participated in the battle for Tallinn in August and was destroyed.

12th Saaremaa DB – this included also mobilized Estonians. The unit ended its career during the battle for the West-Estonian Islands in September-October.

15th Järvamaa DB – was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

16th Pärnumaa DB – was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

17th Viljandimaa DB – was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

20th Võrumaa DB – was practically destroyed in July-August.

21st Petserimaa DB – almost completely formed from Russians. Was practically destroyed in July- August.

22nd Tartumaa DB - was practically destroyed in July-August.

23rd Valgamaa DP - was practically destroyed in July-August.

24th Hiiumaa DP – was destroyed during the battle for the West-Estonian Islands in September-October.

Units which were formed in July-August:

Võrumaa (2nd) Party and Soviet Activists’ DB - was practically destroyed in July-August.

Tartumaa Party and Soviet Activists’ DB – was probably destroyed in July-August.

Tartumaa (2nd) (Mustvee) DB – almost completely formed from Russians. Remnants retreated over Narva to Soviet Union.

Viljandimaa and Järvamaa Activists’ DB - was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

1st Tallinn DB - was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

2nd Harjumaa DB - was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

3rd Harjumaa DB - was included into the 1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment in August.

Narva-Jõesuu Destroying Detachment

There were also some Destroying Trains which operated on railways.

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Narva Workers Regiment – formed in August from a number of DBs and their remnats. Commander was Cpt. K. Gontsharov (a Russian). There was about 1 500 men. Of them less than 2/3 were Estonians. It participated in the battles on the direction of Leningrad, near Kingisep. Was disbanded at the end of September.

1st Estonian Riflemen Regiment was formed in August from a number of DBs and their remnats. Commander was Cpt. M. Pasternak (a Jew). It had about 1 200 men. It participated in the battle for Tallinn in August and was crushed.

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