*2014
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.
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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