Harald Nugiseks

SS-Oberscharführer HARALD NUGISEKS, born October 22, 1921, Knight's Cross holder from Estonia. Kept in Soviet captivity until 1958.



Very interesting and unusual history. It appears he is still alive. Alfons Rebane's story *below is equally so. Estonians joined the German army after Russia was forcefully expelled from their lands by the Nazis and were, like some other main force SS units, pure fighting machines guilty of no atrocities.The Estonian SS was cleared of all charges. The Website dedicated to Harald Nugiseks is tedious going with Google translation, but worthwhile. Seems like this would make a good book. BT

Also: The Battle of Tannenberg Line

"Several Western scholars refer to the campaign as the Battle of the European SS for the 24 volunteer infantry battalions from Denmark, Estonia, East Prussia, Flanders, Flemings, Holland and Norway within the Waffen-SS. Roughly a half of the infantry consisted of the local Estonian conscripts motivated to resist the looming Soviet re-occupation. The German force of 22,250 men held off the Soviet advance of 136,830 troops. As the Soviet forces were constantly reinforced, the casualties of the battle were 150,000–200,000 wounded and dead Soviet troops and 157–164 Soviet tanks."
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"The various repressive activities of Soviet forces in 1940–1941 and after reoccupation sparked a guerrilla war against the Soviet authorities in Estonia which was waged into the early 1950s by "Forest Brothers" (metsavennad) consisting mostly of Estonian veterans of both the German and Finnish armies as well as some civilians."
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"One of the four Estonian soldiers who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

During the Soviet assault on Estonia in September 1944, Nugiseks's home was destroyed. Nugiseks was captured by Czech partisans in May 1945 and put in a POW camp.

After 3 unsuccessful escape attempts, Nugiseks served time after being handed over to the Soviets, who handed him 10 years in the Gulag and 5 years deportation in Siberia. Nugiseks managed to return to Estonia, where he worked until retirement.

In 1970s Nugiseks built a house for his family with his own hands.

As a result of his service to his country, in 1992 Nugiseks was made a Captain of the Estonian Army.

Nugiseks attended another Estonian Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross holder, *Alfons Rebane's reburial in Estonia in 1999 by the Estonian government.

In October 2008, he was awarded with Medal of Gratitude by Estonian people, after collecting of 4229 signatures." MORE.

*Waffen SS Standartenführer Alfons Vilhelm Robert Rebane (1908 – 1976). Rebane translates to "fox" in Estonian. He was the most highly decorated Estonian military officer in the course of the Second World War. Rebane was nicknamed "Estonian Rommel" for his leadership and tactical skills. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves for extreme bravery in the battlefield. Rebane was one of the only two non-Germans awarded the oak leaves.