A Chronology of Key Events in the Glorification of the SS in Estonia

Estonian SS legion veterans to rally in Tallinn

AEstonian World War II veterans who fought among the ranks of the so-called NEstonian LegionO of the 20th Division of the SS will rally in Tallinn.

Does it behove public officials to participate in such activities? A group poll conducted by journalists reveals interesting results.

Speaker of Parliament Toomas Savi, who attended two prior rallies, does not believe that participating implies support for Hitler Germany. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Johannes Kert regards the SS 20th Division veterans primarily warriors for Estonian liberation. That is why he attended all previous rallies and intends to be present at this one as well. Defence Minister Andrus Oovel also believes that, if not for the veterans who defended Estonia during World War II, todayOs republic could not have been restored. Like Speaker Savi, he has not yet decided whether he will participate in the rally.

Remains of last commander of 20th division of ss to be reburied

On 26 June, the remains of Colonel Alfons Rebane, the last commander of the 20th Division of the SS in Estonia, will be reburied. Jaan Kuningas, Director of the Eastern Battalion Veterans Club said that A. RebaneOs ashes would be delivered from Ausberg, Germany, and buried in Tallinn at the Metsakalmistu cemetery, where national leaders and other public figures, including of the Estonian art, world are buried. According to the director of the club for veterans who fought against Soviet forces during World War II, Estonian leaders have been invited to the ceremonial reburial of A. Rabane.

Meanwhile, Estonian government spokesperson Priit Poiklik said that on Tuesday, 18 May, the Estonian Cabinet of Ministers would consider a request from the Finance Minister to allocate 40,000 kroon (8EEK/1DM) to expenses related to the reburial of the Estonian SS division commanderOs remains.

In the early days of the war, A. Rebane volunteered for the Wehrmacht in order to fight against the Soviet army. He commanded a company and a battalion in the 20th Division of the SS, in Estonia. In March 1945, following the death of the divisionOs commander, A. Rebane set out to command this unit, which fought in Germany.

The Estonian government has allocated 40000 kroon (8EEK/1DM) to bring the ashes of EstoniaOs SS division officer from Germany to Tallinn. Prime Minister Mart Laar told Interfax: NIt was a natural decision regarding a person whom historians call one of the 100 most distinguished EstoniansO. Commenting on the cabinetOs decision, Prime Minster Mart Laar told journalists that Alfons Rebane is, Na distinguished Estonian officer of our century.O

President Lennart Meri signed a order to grant the highest national honours to individuals Nwho contributed to restoring the independence of the Estonian Republic, the consolidation of Estonian society, the fortification of common democratic values and a European cultural climate,O including 19 Estonian freedom fighters who fought for fascist Germany.

On July 29 in Sinimae, northeast Estonia, a monument to SS soldiers has been erected. The NArmistice MemorialO, to which, as local press reports, the government allocated 2.5 million kroon, is dedicated to the legionaries of the SS 20th Division in Estonia.

Estonia is rehabilitating an ss rottenfuher who participated in the excecution of hostages

For ten years, the justice system in the Republic of Estonia has been acquitting Estonian legionaries who were members of punishing missions against civilian populations and were executioners, whilst representing them as heroes. A characteristic example is a letter from the Estonian Department of Internal Affairs to the Pskov Region Federal Security Services (FSB): NWe request that you make a note in the archive criminal case NN-12457 to the effect that, according to article 64-a of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Criminal Code, Artur-Johannes Mihkel Pupart, born in 1924, in accordance with Part 1 article 2 of Estonian Republic legislation OOn rehabilitation of persons extrajudically repressed or illegally condemned,O has been rehabilitated. Sincerely, Ivar Teaer, Director of the Information and Analysis Bureau of the ER Police Department.

We must note that A. Pupart was an executioner. He was an SS Rottenfuhrer of the Estonian police battalion who established a Nnew orderO in Pskov region, was also Oillegally condemnedO and has been rehabilitated. He and six of his accomplices stood trial where the crimes were committed, in Pskov, as the law requires. He confessed that in 1942 he participated in the executions of 49 hostages, including women and young children. The court took into account his disability and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment, as different to his accomplices.

Estonians in SS uniforms fought for national interests,O said the former president of modern-day Estonia L. Meri, as he welcomed the international rally of former SS members in Estonia.

On 23 November in Parnu, Estonia, a monument was unveiled to Estonian Waffen SS division legionaries. The monument is called the Nwarriors for Estonian independence in World War IIO monument.

Estonian ss legion museum is operating in Estonia

In Parnu, Estonia, a new building for a private museum to Estonian SS Legionaries is under construction. The Parnu regional court registered the museum on 5 July 2000, since which time many veterans, schoolchildren, and tourists have visited, as the local newspaper, Parnu Postimees, reported on Wednesday.

The number of visitors has been so great, writes the paper, that the museum owner, Leo Tammiksaar, had to commence construction of a new two-storey building. One storey will house museum exhibits and the family will reside in the other. The building will be ready by the end of this year.

The museum lends its exhibits to Estonian History Museum, Border Guard Museum, and the recently opened in Tallinn Occupation Museum.

A monument to ss standartenfuhrer Alfons Rebane has been erected in north Estonia near the town of Viitna.

In 1944, SS Standartenfuhrer Alfons Wilhelm Robert Rebane was awarded the KnightOs Cross with Oak Leaves for his battles at Silesia. He died in 1976 in Germany. The monument to him is a massive welded metal cross bearing a plate engraved with the words NHere commenced the combat history of Colonel Alfons Rebane (1908-1976).O Trivimi Velliste, a member of Estonian parliament, attended the monumentOs unveiling ceremony.

Estonia SS legionaries rally in Tallinn

Rally XII of the Estonian SS Legion (Estonian volunteer brigade), raised in 1942, will take place on 6 July in Tallinn. In February 1944, the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS was raised from that brigade and was known as the Estonian Legion. In the same year, Division combatants heroically fought with Soviet occupiers on the Sinimae Hills near Narva. Tens of thousands of soldiers from both sides of the front line died in battles for the Sinimae Hills in 1944. Many Estonians were awarded full military honours for the battle at Sinimae. From October to December 1944, the Division did not engage in battle. In January 1945 it was raised anew and from February 1945 was situated in the East.

Estonian veterans of the SS, like any other members of the armed forces who fought against Bolshevism, have already been officially recognised as freedom fighters for the Estonian state and against the Soviet occupation. They stand united in the registered organisation, Estonia Freedom Fighters Union. Today it has a membership of approximately three thousand. In fact, the Estonia Freedom Fighters Union organised this rally, which is so significant for Europe. It is notable that the Tallinn MayorOs Office took part in arranging the Estonian Division veteransO rally. Last year approximately 1200 people attended the rally in Rakvere, Estonia.

Members of parliament attended the SS legionaries rally

The rally of former soldiers of HitlerOs army that took place on 6 June in Tallinn has sparked a strong response both in Estonia itself, as well as beyond its borders. Approximately 1500 people attended the 12th rally of former Nazis and NForest BrothersO. Attendees paraded in the Kadriorg, a Tallinn stadium, and placed wreaths on the monument, situated near Pirit, to Estonians who fought on the German side during World War II.

It is possible that the rally of former Nazis would not have been so controversial if elderly Hitlerites were the only ones to attend; however, the fact that Urmas Reinsalu, Estonian parliament constitutional committee chair; Trivimi Velliste, parliament deputy and former Minster of Foreign Affairs and Lennart Meri, the countryOs former president were present lent the rally a significance beyond a simple meeting of brothers-in-arms.

Speaking before the rally, Trivimi Velliste, former president and member of the Pro Patria Union, a nationalist radical opposition party, called the battles of the retreating German troops with Soviet units on Estonian territory in 1944 a struggle for Estonian independence.

Rally participants approved an appeal to the Estonian parliament in which they demand official recognition for the HitleritesO role in the fight for the countryOs independence, and demand that former Wermacht soldiers and NForest BrothersO be granted veteran status with all associated benefits. Rally participants propose recognising the 1944 battles as battles for national independence and democratic revival.

Europe SS members to meet at Tallinn monument unveiling

Delfi Information Portal reports that at Estonian Prime Minister Johan PartsO meeting with SS veterans, Parts will discuss with the Nazis the unveiling in Tallinn on 8 May 2005 of a monument to all military units and soldiers who fought in them to defend Estonia from the anti-Hitler coalition in 1944. The city of Tallinn, veterans living abroad, as well as the Estonian government are providing most of the funds for the memorial.

Representatives of veterans from Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Wallonia, and Norway expressed a desire to come to Tallinn. The veterans fought for fascist Germany. As Delfi reports, Nin heavy fighting for Estonia, the 3rd German tank corps, the Flemish SS Division Langemarck, a volunteer unit from Wallonia, Belgium, led by Leon Degrelle, the Nordland SS division, and others fought alongside the EstoniansO.

The defence ministry of Estonia has embarked on nazi propaganda in schools

As the press secretary for EstoniaOs Defence Ministry reported to REGNUM News Agency, Defence Minister Jaak Joerutt sent cards commemorating the 87th anniversary of the Estonian Republic to Estonian schools, together with educational materials for military/patriotic courses, which are taught in 73 Estonian schools. The materials include a reference called NNATO from A to Z,O published by the Defence Ministry with the Estonian Encyclopedia publishing house and the film Soldiers of the Totenkopf (NDeath HeadO), produced by Estonian State Television and devoted to Estonians who fought in the SS 20th Division for fascist Germany during World War II. In the letter addressed to school principals, the Estonian Defence Minster recommends using the ministryOs gifts as learning aides in history lessons, adds REGNUM News Agency.

Promoting the film in Molodezh Estonii on 21 September 2004, the director, Vahur Lauri said, NI am interested in what motivated a person to volunteer to serve in the German army or the SS forcesO. The filmOs creator stated that, NEstonians were mainly grateful to the Germans for liberating us from the SovietsO.

Fascist unrest reaches residential buildings

Today, 5 April, Molodezh Estonii reports that on the night of 1 April in the Tallinn district of Lasnamae, where many of the Russians in Tallinn reside and which certain radical politicians call a NRussian ghettoO, fascist youngsters defaced the entrance to a nine storey building on Laanemere Street. They wrote anti-Russian slogans and drew fascist symbols. The newspaper cites the following examples of vandalism as observed by residents on the walls of the building: NWhy did not Germany win? 1943O (Translation into Russian here and henceforth by Molodezh Estonii), NVenelased - austage eesti kombeid, voi minge kojy O venemaaleO (Russians, respect Estonian customs or go home to Russia!), NFuck russian people, 9 May all hate (with complete hatred)O, NRussian bichesO [sic] and so forth.

The police regard the incident as a common disturbance of the peace. The newspaper comments that the constable called to the scene would not, for some period, accept a statement from the residents. According to the commentary obtained by the paper at the Pohja Police Prefecture, there is no basis for a criminal case under the article Ninciting interethnic discordO.

German neo-nazis have expressed support for Estonia and Lithuania presidents

A meeting held at BerlinOs Alexanderplatz under red-and-white banners of the National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) drew together over two thousand neo-nationalists from throughout Germany. Speakers supported the decisions of the presidents of Estonia and Lithuania to refuse to celebrate the victory over fascism in Moscow, a REGNUM News Agency correspondent reports.

The leader of an ultra-right youth organization called the decision Na clear testament to the ideas of nationalist patriots who condemn the occupation of Germany and Europe by anti-Hitler coalition forcesO. Tens of thousands of antifascists blocked the NPD loyalists in the centre of Berlin.

Head of nomme in Tallinn district, welcomed estonian veterans, nazis

Erik Sandla, Alderman of the Tallinn district of Nomme and member of the Res Publica party, which is part of the ruling coalition of Estonia, confirmed to a REGNUM News Agency correspondent that he had met with activists of the Nomme Freedom Fighters Union (a union of veterans who fought on the side of Hitler Germany). He indicated that such meetings occur regularly twice monthly, and this one coincided with the worldwide celebration of victory over fascism 8-9 May.

Attendees at the meeting expressed a belief that NNATO and the EU will defend EstoniaOs independence and wonOt condone another 1939O. Nazi veterans stated that they believe a 9 May celebration in Estonia, to be Nin bad tasteO.

Prime minister to lay flowers at the monument to the 20th division of the nazi SS

The Estonian government intends to lay flowers at the Nazi memorial during the 60th anniversary celebration of the Victory over fascism. But it refused to lay flowers at the neighbouring monument to the Soviet soldiers who fell in battles for the Baltics.

The Estonian government press service reported that the countryOs leaders celebrate 8 May as a memorial day to all who died in World War II. However, there was a disclaimer: Prime Minister Adrus Ansip will lay a wreath only at the monument to Estonians from the 20th Division of the Nazi SS who fought against Red Army units in 1944 near Narva.

SS veterans rally in Tartu

On 16 July, a rally took place in Tartu for veterans of the 20th Division of the SS and the "Forest Brothers" formations from Baltic countries, Finland, Sweden, and Canada.

Estonian government allocated money to erect a monument to fascism

At a meeting on 10 November, the Estonian government decided to allocate 89,700 kroon to cover expenses related to transporting and erecting a monument Oin honour of the 60th anniversary of battles to defend Estonia from the anti-Hitler coalition forcesO on the premises of the Estonian Liberation Movement Museum in Lagedi, outside Tallinn, the government press service reported today, 11 November, to REGNUM News Agency.

It bears repeating that this will be the third case in three years of installing the notorious monument. It is known among antifascists and World War II veterans as Nthe Lihula monsterO. Antifascists came up with that name for the monument, which was previously installed in the village of Lihula, for its depiction of a soldier in a Nazi uniform with the Estonian Legion / 20th Division of the SS insignia. The monument was formerly erected in Pranu (in July 2002), but was dismantled by resolution of municipal leaders following wide international publicity. In August 2004, the monument was unveiled in Lihula in the presence of Estonian government officials and consecrated by a Protestant minister. However a photo spread appeared in the MK-Estonia newspaper about the unveiling of the bas-relief monument with photographs of Estonian neo-Nazis welcoming the monument dressed in T-shirts bearing images of German Fascist soldiers and calls to destroy Jews. Representatives of the Estonian Jewish Community gave the photo spread to Aldona Wos, US Ambassador to Estonia and member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. After a discussion with Wos, Prime Minister of Estonia Juhan Parts ordered the monument be dismantled. On 3 September 2004, law enforcement authorities took down the NLihula monsterO, despite protests of those gathered. Authorities used tear gas and dogs to disperse the protesters. Several police officers and a worker were injured and the glass on a crane, broken.

The monumentOs removal sparked a so-called Owar against monumentsO and in September and October 2004, approximately 20 monuments and Soviet warrior gravestones throughout Estonia were vandalised.

In accordance with a verdict of the Tallinn district court on 30 September 2005 the Estonian Rescue Committee returned the monument, situated in the committee warehouse, to its formal owner, pensioner Ants Eduard Teder, a former Hitler coalition forces World War II participant. On 15 October 2005, the NLihula monsterO was installed in the presence of officials and veterans of the Hitler coalition on the premises of the Estonian Liberation Movement Museum in Lagedi.

Estonian government regards the day of Tallinnos liberation from fascism as a day for occupation victims

Today, 2 March, the Estonian government supported a draft law put forward by a parliamentary coalition to recognise 22 September, which is the day Tallinn was liberated from the German Fascist Invaders, as Occupation Memorial Day. The Estonian government press service reported this to REGNUM News Agency.

It bears repeating that in early February 2006, the Centrist Party, the PeopleOs Union, and the Reform Party initiated a draft law containing a preamble that read that 22 September 1944 Nsymbolises the suffering inflicted on the Estonian people by occupiers, regardless of era and which foreign occupiers were responsibleO.

Memorial to victims of fascism desecrated in Estonia

Vandals desecrated a monument to the victims of fascism in Kalevi Liiva, Estonia. The monument is situated at the site where prisoners of war and Jews were executed during World War II. The Estonian Antifascist Committee reported this today, 12 April to REGNUM News Agency. Anonymous individuals left a large quantity of excrement at the base of the monument, by a sign with the Star of David. Committee activists videotaped the desecration and cleaned the monument. On 12 April, news of the monumentOs desecration was given to the US Embassy in Estonia, which had lent its support to the monumentOs creation. The committee informed Embassy secretary Philipp Mustonen of the incident.

It bears repeating that on 11 April, International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed. During the German occupation of Estonia from 1941-44, over 15000 Soviet military personnel, over 5000 Jews from Estonia and Western Europe, several thousand Estonians, gypsies and representatives of other nationalities died in over 20 concentration camps.

Estonian defence minster thanked those who fought on the side of fascist germany

On 8 May Jurgen Ligi, Defence Minister of Estonia took part in the ceremony at the Maarjamaa monument commemorating the end of World War II. Estonian Defence Ministry press service reported this today, 9 May to REGNUM News Agency. Speaking before the audience, Ligi thanked Estonians who fought on the side of fascist Germany, saying, NYour struggle in 1944 was a struggle for Estonian freedomO. Ministers from the Estonian parliament and veterans of the 20th Division of the SS, called the Estonian Legion laid flowers and wreaths at the monument honouring Estonian members of the Hitler coalition.

Mart Laar, former prime minister of Estonia and one of the leaders of the Pro Patria Union, a nationalist radical party, stated at the ceremony, that Nsooner or laterO a law would be passed in Estonia in the interests of Hitler coalition Estonians.

Prime minster of Estonia (Ansip): the monument to those who fought fascism irritates me

Today 25 May Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip held a press conference in Tallinn. He answered a question about the possible transfer of a monument to Soviet warriors and liberators said that the presence of the monument Nirritates him personallyO: NI see it as a symbol of the occupation, not a monument to war victims, and the sooner the monument is removed from Tonismagi, the better,O REGNUM News Agency reports.

The Prime Minister also noted that there is no cause to worry that the world community will misconstrue the campaign to move the World War II victimsO monument. In his opinion, NThe Estonian Republic has a right to take its own decisions about which monument is appropriate for the centre of the capital city and which is not.O

It bears repeating that an Estonian sculptor, Enn Roos, made the monument to soldier-liberators who died in battles for Tallinn with fascist occupiers in September 1944. The monument stands at the site where soldiers were buried in 1947.

The Estonian government allocated resources to a museum with a monument to SS soldiers

Today, 8 June, the Estonian government took a decision to allocate 375000 kroon (about 25000 euro) to the private Estonian Liberation Movement Museum in the town of Lagedi. The government press service reported this to a REGNUM News Agency correspondent. Resources will fund improved security systems.

It bears repeating that a monument in front of the museum in Lagedi depicts a soldier in Nazi uniform with the NEstonian LegionO 20th Division of the SS insignia. On 15 October 2005, it was installed in the presence of officials and Hitler coalition veterans on the premises of the Estonian Liberation Movement Museum in Lagedi.

Estonian prime minister Andrus Ansip: estonians fight against the red army is a heroic deed

Prime Minister Adrus Ansip thinks the Estonians who fought on the Hitler Germany side against the Red Army committed a heroic deed. The government press service reported this.

Your struggle was a heroic deed that should be praised today and in the future. And though the independence of the Estonian Republic was not restored, your struggle was a great contribution to the Estonian peopleOs desire for freedom throughout the entire Soviet occupationO, said Ansip on Saturday at the Estonia freedom fightersO rally in Voru.

In early June of this year, the Estonian government approved the draft law NConcerning the Estonian citizens who fought to restore the independence of the Republic of EstoniaO, according to which, NEstonian citizens who resisted the Soviet UnionOs occupation of Estonia and Germany whilst fighting for EstoniaOs restored independence are recognised as freedom fighters.O The draft law emphasises that those who fought against the USSR in the Hitler army units and the NForest BrothersO are also Nfreedom fightersO.

The question of recognising Estonians who fought in HitlerOs army was first raised in 2004 at the Estonia Freedom Fighters Union rally. About three thousand people came to the rally. They had fought during World War II on the side of Hitler Germany. Veterans of the 20th Division of the SS are in the Union.

Yet another monument to the SS unveiled in Estonia

On Saturday 26 August, by Lake Peipus in the village of Mehikoorma, Estonia, a monument to Estonian 20th Division soldiers who fought on the German side in World War II (refers to 20th Division of the SS -Regnum News Agency) was unveiled. Approximately 200-300 people attended the ceremony. The monument is made of black marble.

Margus Narusing, chairperson of the Meeksi regional assembly told BNS that the monument honours those who defended Estonian independence during World War II. Narusing said that veterans of the 20th Estonian Division initiated installation of the sculpture, which is three metres in height. The sculptor is Kuno Raude.

In Estonia, yet another monument to those who died in the struggle against fascism is desecrated

In Valga, Estonia, vandals have desecrated a monument to those who died fighting fascism. Members of the Estonian Constitutional Party reported this today, 11 September, to REGNUM News Agency. According to party data, vandals desecrated the monument in a Nparticularly cynical wayO.

The desecrated monument honours the legacy of those held in a Nlabour campO in Estonia. NIt must be stated that thus far, not one case of monument desecration has led to a meaningful trial against neo-Nazi crimes. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stance on the issue raises many questions, primary of which is: why donOt they look for and punish the vandals?O reads the party statement.

Estonian defence minister: Estonian sympathies were with nazi germany

Estonian Defence Minister Jurgen Ligi published an article in the Estonian newspaper Postimees dedicated to the draft law NOn the Estonian CitizensO Struggle to Restore the Independence of the Estonian RepublicO, by which Estonians who fought on the German side during World War II would be recognised as NEstonian independence fightersO and offered associated benefits. Ligi writes, NHistory was such that Estonian sympathies were with Germany, which lost the war, rather than with Russia. It was not Nazi Germany that destroyed our independence, but ORedO Russia, which did more harm to our land. With time, this feeling has become stronger.O