Estonian War of Independence. November 1918 - February 1920
An important part of the establishment of the Estonian state in 1917–1918 has been played by the national army units, with whose support the idea of Estonian independence was realized. The national army units became the basis for the army of independent Estonia - thus the real forces necessary for our War of Independence were concentrated in the homeland and the foundation for the organization of the people's self-defense was laid.
In 2018, 100 years will pass since the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence. The museum's collection of postal history includes nearly 700 postcards sent during the war years with stamps used in various military units.
The first part of the exhibition takes us to the years 1917–1919:
- Establishment of Estonian national army units in 1917–1918
- Field post in the Estonian War of Independence in 1919
Old letters are part of our cultural and postal history. The exhibition focuses on postal history, ie stamp prints. But there is also exciting research for those interested in history and postcards.
Enjoy and watch!
Enjoy and watch!
In the toolbar, under the information button, you will find the stamp imprint text ( in italics ), historical background information and explanations about the image.
Sakala Partisan Battalion
On the 1.01.1920, the Sakala Partisan Battalion was renamed to the Sakala Partisan Brigade.
On the 1.01.1920, the Sakala Partisan Battalion was renamed to the Sakala Partisan Brigade.
Sakala Partisan Brigade
On the stairs of Raadi manor
Photo: W. Terras, Päevapildi Koda, Tartu, Lai 21
On the stairs of Raadi manor
Photo: W. Terras, Päevapildi Koda, Tartu, Lai 21
Air Force Battalion
On November 21, 1918, the first Estonian air force unit - the Air Force Brigade - was formed as a member of the Engineering Battalion, led by lieutenant A. Roose. This day can be considered the birth of the Estonian Air Force.
On December 15, it became the Air Brigade.
On March 1, a regiment was formed from the Air Brigade, which was commanded by captain Jüri Ots. It consisted of five pilots, two flight observers and two motorists. According to the papers, there were four planes, only one airworthy - the Farman F-30.
Foto: Russalka Memorial, Tallinn
On November 21, 1918, the first Estonian air force unit - the Air Force Brigade - was formed as a member of the Engineering Battalion, led by lieutenant A. Roose. This day can be considered the birth of the Estonian Air Force.
On December 15, it became the Air Brigade.
On March 1, a regiment was formed from the Air Brigade, which was commanded by captain Jüri Ots. It consisted of five pilots, two flight observers and two motorists. According to the papers, there were four planes, only one airworthy - the Farman F-30.
Foto: Russalka Memorial, Tallinn
Air Force troops' 1. Land flight group
2. Infantry Brigade / Scout's command cavalry
2. The Infantry Brigade was founded on the 21.11.1918 in Tartu by volunteer students.
Lieutenant Juhan Järver started forming the brigade on the 22.11.1918 in Viljandi, captain Jaan Maide was the commander of the brigade. From the 18.12.1918, colonel Johan Hunt (Tartu) became the commander of the brigade.
2. The Infantry Brigade was founded on the 21.11.1918 in Tartu by volunteer students.
Lieutenant Juhan Järver started forming the brigade on the 22.11.1918 in Viljandi, captain Jaan Maide was the commander of the brigade. From the 18.12.1918, colonel Johan Hunt (Tartu) became the commander of the brigade.
2. Infantry Brigade / Orchestra
Photo: On the 10.01.1919 major general Martin Wetzer arrived to Tallinn harbour.
Martin Wetzer was the Finnish soldier, for a short time he took part in the Estonian War of Independence and was the interim commander of the Southern Front from January 25, 1919 to the beginning of March.
Photo: On the 10.01.1919 major general Martin Wetzer arrived to Tallinn harbour.
Martin Wetzer was the Finnish soldier, for a short time he took part in the Estonian War of Independence and was the interim commander of the Southern Front from January 25, 1919 to the beginning of March.
2. Infantry Brigade/ 3. Battalion
2. Infantry Brigade's 3. Battalion was made in Paide. The battalion commander was the sub-lieutenant Jaan Maide.
View from Emajõgi to the cargo yard, Dorpat (Tartu)
2. Infantry Brigade's 3. Battalion was made in Paide. The battalion commander was the sub-lieutenant Jaan Maide.
View from Emajõgi to the cargo yard, Dorpat (Tartu)
2. Infantry Brigade / 1. Company
1. Company's commander was lieutenant Elmar Kiima.
Kallaste, Estonia
Ploompuu publication, Tallinn
1. Company's commander was lieutenant Elmar Kiima.
Kallaste, Estonia
Ploompuu publication, Tallinn
2. Infantry Brigade's company/ 1. Machine gun company
2. Infantry Brigade / 5. company
The commander of the 5. company was captin Eduard Liibus.
The commander of the 5. company was captin Eduard Liibus.
2. Infantry Brigade /3. Machine gun company
Järvere manor, Urvaste parish, Võru county
Järvere manor, Urvaste parish, Võru county
2. Infantry Brigade / Active force
The letter was sent to Olga Wulff, the wife of Gustav Wulff-Õie, the author of the lyrics to the song "Delicate Nightingale".
The letter was sent to Olga Wulff, the wife of Gustav Wulff-Õie, the author of the lyrics to the song "Delicate Nightingale".
3. Infantry Brigade / Brigade's cashier
On the 21.11.1918, the 3rd Brigade was organized in Võru to protect South-Estonia.
The brigade was formed by colonel Eduard-Alfred Kubbo.
Photo: The bigade's staff was in Võru, Kreutzwaldi 30 (that time called Riga street).
On the 21.11.1918, the 3rd Brigade was organized in Võru to protect South-Estonia.
The brigade was formed by colonel Eduard-Alfred Kubbo.
Photo: The bigade's staff was in Võru, Kreutzwaldi 30 (that time called Riga street).
3. Infantry Brigade / commander of Armaments
On the evening of December 1, 1918, the 3rd bgigade received the first shipment of weapons from Tallinn - 500 guns with 100,000 cartridge.
Villa Adriana
On the evening of December 1, 1918, the 3rd bgigade received the first shipment of weapons from Tallinn - 500 guns with 100,000 cartridge.
Villa Adriana
3. Infantry Brigade / Scout's command cavalry
On the 21.11.1918, Nikolai Fischer entered the 3rd Estonian Infantry Brigade and was appointed commander of the Scout's command cavalry.
Foto: Pedeli river, Valka
On the 21.11.1918, Nikolai Fischer entered the 3rd Estonian Infantry Brigade and was appointed commander of the Scout's command cavalry.
Foto: Pedeli river, Valka
3. Infantry Brigade / Communication command
Exhibition committee
Compiler: Eve Aab
Consultant: Ants Linnard, Chairman of the Postal Museum Friends Association
Photos: Arp Karm
Editor: Tuuli Kaalep
Toimetaja: Tuuli Kaalep
Compiler: Eve Aab
Consultant: Ants Linnard, Chairman of the Postal Museum Friends Association
Photos: Arp Karm
Editor: Tuuli Kaalep
Toimetaja: Tuuli Kaalep
References and sources
- Andreller, Jüri, Eduard Laaman and Johannes Poopuu. Armored Trains Division in the War of Independence. Tallinn Grenader, 2009.
- Estonian War of Independence XI.1918 - II.1920. Health care part. Tallinn, 1921.
- Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920. Parts I to II. Popular scientific publication of the Commitee on the History of the War of Independence. Tallinn Committee on the History of the War of Independence, 1937.
- Grosschmidt, Eduard. Under the skull mark. Tartu K / Ü Loodus, 1935.
- Guide to collecting materials from the history of the War of Independence. Chronology of events in the struggle period of Estonian national independence 1917–1920. Tallinn Committee on the History of the War of Independence, 1936.
- Kurvits, Oskar (ed.). Album of Estonian National Armed Forces II. Tallinn Society „1. Estonian Brigade” edition, 1937
- Kurvits, Oskar. Creation of Estonian national army units 1917–1918. Society „1. Estonian Brigade ”publishing house, 1930.
- Reinvaldt, Edvin and Tõnis Kint (assembly). Wide gauge armored train no. 2 In the War of Independence. Stockholm Foreign Estonia & EEA, 1972.
- Traksmaa, August.A brief history of the War of Independence.Tallinn: Publication-Private Limited Company "Cultural Community", 1939.