Battle of Utria
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| Battle of Utria | |||||||
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| Part of Estonian War of Independence | |||||||
   Utria Battle of Utria (Estonia) | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Finnish volunteers |
 Soviet Russia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Johan Pitka Aleksander Paulus Martin Ekström |
Nikolai N. Ivanov[1] | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
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Estonian NavyMeredessantpataljon 1st Finnish Volunteer Corps |
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| Strength | |||||||
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1,900 soldiers 2 destroyers 1 gunboat 1 transport ship | 2,700 soldiers | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 32 killed | about 300 killed | ||||||
Battle of Utria (Estonian: Utria dessant) took place during the Estonian War of Independence on 17–20 January 1919 at Udria beach.[2] It was amphibious landing of Estonian forces consisting mainly of Finnish volunteers.
Background
Estonian forces
The naval Taskforce was under the command of Admiral Johan Pitka, he was supported by the Swedish naval officer Martin Ekström and by Captain Aleksander Paulus and Captain Anto Nestori Eskola. The invasion force consisted of roughly 1,900 soldiers under the command of Colonel Martin Ekström.
Soviet forces
Elements of the 6th Rifle Division defending the area were under the command of Nikolai Ivanov. In total the Soviets were able to muster a force of 2,700 men to defend the area from the Estonian military.
Aftermath
The successful landing undertaken by the Estonian military, enabled Estonian units to liberate the border town of Narva on 19 January 1919.
References
- ^ 6-я Орловско-Хинганская дважды Краснознаменная стрелковая дивизия Rkka.ru
- ^ Jyri Kork (Ed.), Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920, Esto, Baltimore, 1988 (Reprint from Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920. Historical Committee for the War of Independence, Tallinn, 1938)