36th Estonian Police Battalion: Difference between revisions
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|country= {{Flag|Nazi Germany}} |
|country= {{Flag|Nazi Germany}} |
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|allegiance= |
|allegiance= |
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|branch= [[Estonian Auxiliary Police]] |
|branch= [[Schutzmannschaft]]<br>[[Estonian Auxiliary Police]] |
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|type= Battalion |
|type= Battalion |
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|role= [[ |
|role= [[Bandenbekämpfung|Rear security]] |
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|size= 438 (August 1942) |
|size= 438 (August 1942) |
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|command_structure=[[SS]] of [[Nazi Germany]] |
|command_structure=[[SS]] of [[Nazi Germany]] |
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'''36th Estonian Police Battalion''' (also known as ''Schutzmannschaft Front Bataillon 36 Arensburg'' (German) and ''36. Kaitse Rindepataljon'' (Estonian)) was an [[ |
'''36th Estonian Police Battalion''' (also known as ''Schutzmannschaft Front Bataillon 36 Arensburg'' (German) and ''36. Kaitse Rindepataljon'' (Estonian)) was an Estonian [[Bandenbekämpfung|rear-security]] unit during [[World War II]] that operated under command of the German [[Schutzstaffel|SS]]. |
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==Operational history== |
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The |
The 36th Estonian Police Battalion was established on 23 November 1941, and was formed in western Estonia and on [[West Estonian archipelago|Estonian islands]]. Between May and August 1942, the battalion was in training and received reinforcements from other units, bringing its total stenght to 23 officers, 161 non-commissioned officers, and 254 troops.<ref name=hiio2011_p208>{{cite journal|last1=Hiio|first1=Toomas|title=Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht’i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal|journal=Estonian Yearbook of Military History |date=2011|page=208|lang=Estonian|url=http://publications.tlu.ee/index.php/eymh/article/view/450/334|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref> |
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It participated at [[Anti-partisan operations in Belarus|rear-security and anti-partisan operations in Belarus]] and guarded the [[prisoner-of-war camp]]s in the coal mines of [[Stalino]] and [[Makeyevka]].<ref>Massimo Arico, Ordnungspolizei - Encyclopedia of the German police battalions September 1939 - July 1942, p. 144-145.</ref><ref name=hiio>{{cite book|author=Aivar Niglas, [[:et:Toomas Hiio|Toomas Hiio]]|year=2006|pages=825–876|chapter=Estonian defence battalions / police battalions|editor=Toomas Hiio |editor2=Meelis Maripuu |editor3=Indrek Paavle |title=Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the |
It participated at [[Anti-partisan operations in Belarus|rear-security and anti-partisan operations in Belarus]] and guarded the [[prisoner-of-war camp]]s in the coal mines of [[Stalino]] and [[Makeyevka]].<ref>Massimo Arico, Ordnungspolizei - Encyclopedia of the German police battalions September 1939 - July 1942, p. 144-145.</ref><ref name=hiio>{{cite book|author=Aivar Niglas, [[:et:Toomas Hiio|Toomas Hiio]]|year=2006|pages=825–876|chapter=Estonian defence battalions / police battalions|editor=Toomas Hiio |editor2=Meelis Maripuu |editor3=Indrek Paavle |title=Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity|location=Tallinn}}</ref> From 22 November to 31 December 1942 the battalion took part of the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].<ref name=hiio/> Having suffered casualties of 39 killed, 97 wounded, and 11 missing, the battalion was brought back to Estonia in January 1943 and disbanded, with many men joining the [[Estonian Legion]].<ref name=hiio2011_p209>{{cite journal|last1=Hiio|first1=Toomas|title=Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht’i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal|journal=Estonian Yearbook of Military History |date=2011|page=209|lang=Estonian|url=http://publications.tlu.ee/index.php/eymh/article/view/450/334|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref> |
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36th battalion was reformed in May 1943, and in autumn was sent to the front at [[Nevel (town)|Nevel]] where it was merged into 288th battalion.<ref name=hiio2011_p209/> |
36th battalion was reformed in May 1943, and in autumn was sent to the front at [[Nevel (town)|Nevel]] where it was merged into 288th battalion.<ref name=hiio2011_p209/> |
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==Novogrudok== |
==Novogrudok== |
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On 6 and 7 August 3000–5000 Jews were killed in the area of [[Navahrudak#World War II|Novogrudok, Belarus]].<ref name=hiio2011_p209/><ref name=Kaasik>{{cite journal|last1=Kaasik|first1=Peeter|title=What Did the 36th Estonian Front Defence Battalion Do in Novogrudok?|journal=[[National Archives of Estonia|Tuna]]|date=2017|volume=2|url=http://www.ra.ee/tuna/en/what-did-the-36th-estonian-front-defence-battalion-do-in-novogrudok/|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref> The 36th battalion was in the area at period from 4 August to 25 August 1942 |
On 6 and 7 August 3000–5000 Jews were killed in the area of [[Navahrudak#World War II|Novogrudok, Belarus]].<ref name=hiio2011_p209/><ref name=Kaasik>{{cite journal|last1=Kaasik|first1=Peeter|title=What Did the 36th Estonian Front Defence Battalion Do in Novogrudok?|journal=[[National Archives of Estonia|Tuna]]|date=2017|volume=2|url=http://www.ra.ee/tuna/en/what-did-the-36th-estonian-front-defence-battalion-do-in-novogrudok/|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref> The 36th battalion was in the area at period from 4 August to 25 August 1942. The battalion's 16 August report stated that the battalion was engaged in "fighting against partisans".<ref name=hiio2011_p208/><ref name=Kaasik/> |
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According to the [[Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]], "the 36th Police Battalion participated on August 7, 1942 in the gathering together and shooting of almost all the Jews still surviving in the town of Novogrudok". The Commission's report noted:<ref>{{cite web|title=PHASE II |
According to the [[Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]], "the 36th Police Battalion participated on August 7, 1942 in the gathering together and shooting of almost all the Jews still surviving in the town of Novogrudok". The Commission's report noted:<ref>{{cite web|title=PHASE II: THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF ESTONIA IN 1941–1944|publisher=[[Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]]|page=XXI|url=http://www.mnemosyne.ee/hc.ee/pdf/conclusions_en_1941-1944.pdf|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref> |
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<blockquote>In the published records, this unit was described as fighting against partisans at the time. The Commission believes that although there clearly were numerous engagements between police units and partisans, "fighting against partisans" and "guarding prisoner of war camps" were at times ways of describing participation in actions against civilians, including Jews.</blockquote> |
<blockquote>In the published records, this unit was described as fighting against partisans at the time. The Commission believes that although there clearly were numerous engagements between police units and partisans, "fighting against partisans" and "guarding prisoner of war camps" were at times ways of describing participation in actions against civilians, including Jews.</blockquote> |
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The [[Estonian Internal Security Service]] (KaPo) investigation into the battalion's activities concluded that there |
The [[Estonian Internal Security Service]] (KaPo) investigation into the battalion's activities concluded that there was no evidence about participation in war crimes or crimes against humanity.<ref name=epl>{{cite news |url=http://epl.delfi.ee/news/eesti/kilode-viisi-arhiividokumente-andsid-sama-vastuse-zuroffil-pole-toendeid?id=50945048 |title=Kilode viisi arhiividokumente andsid sama vastuse: Zuroffil pole tõendeid |publisher=[[Eesti Päevaleht]] |date=25 January 2003 |accessdate=4 August 2018|lang=Estonian}}</ref> |
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According to Tamara Vershitskaya in [[Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945]] the battalion took part in the murder of Jews in Novogrudok on 7 August.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia| last = Vershitskaya| first = Tamara| editor-last = Megargee| editor-first = Geoffrey P.| editor-link = Geoffrey P. Megargee| encyclopedia = United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945| title = Nowogródek| year = 2012| publisher = Indiana University Press| volume = 2| isbn = 978-0-253-00202-0 | pages = 1249}}</ref> |
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Peeter Kaasik in an article about the battalion's activities in Novogrudok concluded that it is not really possible to prove or disprove anything about the battalion's possible involvement due to lack of sources and discrepancies in the existing information, rendering matter largely into a "question of faith".<ref name=Kaasik/> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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[[Category:Military history of Estonia during World War II]] |
[[Category:Military history of Estonia during World War II]] |
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[[Category:Reichskommissariat Ostland]] |
[[Category:Reichskommissariat Ostland]] |
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[[Category:Holocaust in Belarus]] |
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Revision as of 00:10, 16 August 2018
| 36th Estonian Police Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | 23 November 1941 – 18 January 1943 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Schutzmannschaft Estonian Auxiliary Police |
| Type | Battalion |
| Role | Rear security |
| Size | 438 (August 1942) |
| Part of | SS of Nazi Germany |
| Engagements | Battle of Stalingrad |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Harald Riipalu |
36th Estonian Police Battalion (also known as Schutzmannschaft Front Bataillon 36 Arensburg (German) and 36. Kaitse Rindepataljon (Estonian)) was an Estonian rear-security unit during World War II that operated under command of the German SS.
Operational history
The 36th Estonian Police Battalion was established on 23 November 1941, and was formed in western Estonia and on Estonian islands. Between May and August 1942, the battalion was in training and received reinforcements from other units, bringing its total stenght to 23 officers, 161 non-commissioned officers, and 254 troops.[1] It participated at rear-security and anti-partisan operations in Belarus and guarded the prisoner-of-war camps in the coal mines of Stalino and Makeyevka.[2][3] From 22 November to 31 December 1942 the battalion took part of the Battle of Stalingrad.[3] Having suffered casualties of 39 killed, 97 wounded, and 11 missing, the battalion was brought back to Estonia in January 1943 and disbanded, with many men joining the Estonian Legion.[4]
36th battalion was reformed in May 1943, and in autumn was sent to the front at Nevel where it was merged into 288th battalion.[4]
Novogrudok
On 6 and 7 August 3000–5000 Jews were killed in the area of Novogrudok, Belarus.[4][5] The 36th battalion was in the area at period from 4 August to 25 August 1942. The battalion's 16 August report stated that the battalion was engaged in "fighting against partisans".[1][5]
According to the Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity, "the 36th Police Battalion participated on August 7, 1942 in the gathering together and shooting of almost all the Jews still surviving in the town of Novogrudok". The Commission's report noted:[6]
In the published records, this unit was described as fighting against partisans at the time. The Commission believes that although there clearly were numerous engagements between police units and partisans, "fighting against partisans" and "guarding prisoner of war camps" were at times ways of describing participation in actions against civilians, including Jews.
The Estonian Internal Security Service (KaPo) investigation into the battalion's activities concluded that there was no evidence about participation in war crimes or crimes against humanity.[7]
References
- ^ a b Hiio, Toomas (2011). "Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht'i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal". Estonian Yearbook of Military History (in Estonian): 208. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ Massimo Arico, Ordnungspolizei - Encyclopedia of the German police battalions September 1939 - July 1942, p. 144-145.
- ^ a b Aivar Niglas, Toomas Hiio (2006). "Estonian defence battalions / police battalions". In Toomas Hiio; Meelis Maripuu; Indrek Paavle (eds.). Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity. Tallinn. pp. 825–876.
{{cite book}}: Check|author=value (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c Hiio, Toomas (2011). "Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht'i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal". Estonian Yearbook of Military History (in Estonian): 209. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ a b Kaasik, Peeter (2017). "What Did the 36th Estonian Front Defence Battalion Do in Novogrudok?". Tuna. 2. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ "PHASE II: THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF ESTONIA IN 1941–1944" (PDF). Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity. p. XXI. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ "Kilode viisi arhiividokumente andsid sama vastuse: Zuroffil pole tõendeid" (in Estonian). Eesti Päevaleht. 25 January 2003. Retrieved 4 August 2018.