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.
- 1. Estonian Infantry Brigade
On the 7.05.1917 Aleksandr Kerenski (The Interim Government's Minister of War) sent a telegram in which he gave a permission to formate one Estonian Brigade.
This date is considered to be an Estonian Infantry Brigade's bithday.
Photo: J. & A. Paalmaan print, Tallinn
Sojuz voinsk. Tšinov estontsev Vilmanstanskogo garnizona / L.E.S. ÜHISUS
On the 2.04.1917 Estonian Military Association was established in Finland, Lappeenranta.
Photo: The first Estonian Military Congress in Finland, Lappenranta 10.06–14.06.1917.
On the 2.04.1917 Estonian Military Association was established in Finland, Lappeenranta.
Photo: The first Estonian Military Congress in Finland, Lappenranta 10.06–14.06.1917.
Ispolnitelnõi Komitet voinov-estontsev / XII Armii
30.05.1917 - 12th Army Commander confirms and publishes in directive the Estonian Army Military Executive Committee 12th composition. The center of the 12th Army was in Riga.
The postcard was sent to Reval (Tallinn) (8.06.1917)
Photo: Greetings from the Riga's beach
30.05.1917 - 12th Army Commander confirms and publishes in directive the Estonian Army Military Executive Committee 12th composition. The center of the 12th Army was in Riga.
The postcard was sent to Reval (Tallinn) (8.06.1917)
Photo: Greetings from the Riga's beach
IZ DEISTVUJUŠTŠEI ARMII; Polkovoi Komitet 1-go peh. Estonskago polka
22.09.1917 the 1. Estonian Brigade was sent from Rakvere to Volmari (Valmiera) to the front reserve.
22.09.1917 the 1. Estonian Brigade was sent from Rakvere to Volmari (Valmiera) to the front reserve.
Polkovoi Komitet 1-go Estonskogo polka / 1-ne Eesti Jalawäe Polgukomitee
The steamship Elba, which transported part of the 1. Estonian Brigade from Rohuküla to Muhu County.
2.–6.10.1917 was the Muhu strait battle.
4.10.1917 Elba got back to Haapsalu.
The steamship Elba, which transported part of the 1. Estonian Brigade from Rohuküla to Muhu County.
2.–6.10.1917 was the Muhu strait battle.
4.10.1917 Elba got back to Haapsalu.
Štab 1-oi Estonskoi Pehhotnoi Divizii / Dlja Paketov
15.–18.12.1917 was the Estonian military units representatives conference in Tallinn.
G. v. Hoesslin „Adagio consolante“
15.–18.12.1917 was the Estonian military units representatives conference in Tallinn.
G. v. Hoesslin „Adagio consolante“
Otdelnago Revelskago Estonskago polka
12.04.1917 - The first Estonian national military unit was made in Tallinn - 1. Estonian Brigade
11.05.1917 - The 1. Estonian Brigade went from Tallinn to Rakvere.
The hearth of war in Lääne County
Estonian National Museum.
N.o 224. Photo: Parikas, 1912
12.04.1917 - The first Estonian national military unit was made in Tallinn - 1. Estonian Brigade
11.05.1917 - The 1. Estonian Brigade went from Tallinn to Rakvere.
The hearth of war in Lääne County
Estonian National Museum.
N.o 224. Photo: Parikas, 1912
Estonskih Voiskovõh Tšastei / CENTRALNÕI ORGANIZACIONNÕI KOMITET
18.–22.06.1917 – 1st All-Russian Congress of Estonian Militaries in Tallinn.
22.06.1917 – The Estonian Military Supreme Committee was chosen.
O. J. Žukovski Academy
Spring stream
38. Publisher: I.D.M.
18.–22.06.1917 – 1st All-Russian Congress of Estonian Militaries in Tallinn.
22.06.1917 – The Estonian Military Supreme Committee was chosen.
O. J. Žukovski Academy
Spring stream
38. Publisher: I.D.M.
1. Infantry Brigade
1. Infanrty Brigade was formated on the 21.11.2018 in the barracks of Tallinn Prison.
1. Infanrty Brigade was formated on the 21.11.2018 in the barracks of Tallinn Prison.
1. Infantry Brigade's staff / For letters
Ernst Põdder was determined to the commander of the 1. Infantry Brigade.
In the beginning 300 volunteers joined the Brigade. Mobilization was on the 1.12.1918.
Photo: The beach of Mereküla
1. Infantry Brigade
1. Infantry Brigade
28.11.1918 – 1. battalion commander was captain Viktor Liivak.
The forest chapel of Meriküla and the monument of W. R. Gendt
Lei Publication, Reval
28.11.1918 – 1. battalion commander was captain Viktor Liivak.
The forest chapel of Meriküla and the monument of W. R. Gendt
Lei Publication, Reval
1. Infantry Brigade
Postcard was sent from Tallinn to Suure-Jaani 8.03.1919.
In the beginning men went to war with their own clothes, they got the equipment from the country in 1919 november.
Toompea, Tallinn
Photo: Parikas
Postcard was sent from Tallinn to Suure-Jaani 8.03.1919.
In the beginning men went to war with their own clothes, they got the equipment from the country in 1919 november.
Toompea, Tallinn
Photo: Parikas
I:nen SUOMALAINEN VAPAAJOUKKO / III komppania
The first Finnish volunteer unit came to Tallinn on the 30.12.1918 on the ice breaker Tarmo which was led by the major Martin Ekström.
In the first company were 140 men, they arrived to front in the 5.01.1919.
In Janyary 1919 the third of the Estonian army was Finnish - 3700 men.
De Witt. Dort kämpft unser Sohn! (Our son fights there!)
The first Finnish volunteer unit came to Tallinn on the 30.12.1918 on the ice breaker Tarmo which was led by the major Martin Ekström.
In the first company were 140 men, they arrived to front in the 5.01.1919.
In Janyary 1919 the third of the Estonian army was Finnish - 3700 men.
De Witt. Dort kämpft unser Sohn! (Our son fights there!)
Pohjan Pojat I Pataljoona / Esikunta
On the 12.01.1919 Sons of the North battalion (led by colonel Hans Kalm) arrived in Tallinn on the ice breaker Väinamöinen (later called Suur-Tõll)
On the 12.01.1919 Sons of the North battalion (led by colonel Hans Kalm) arrived in Tallinn on the ice breaker Väinamöinen (later called Suur-Tõll)
Svenska Kāren Estland
On the 13.02.1919 the Swedish company led by Carl Axsel Motheander arrived.
On the 13.02.1919 there was 173 men in the company.
On the 12.03 the company was sent to Paldiski and from there to the Viru front for restructing. On the first days of April the company went to the South front and was led by the the Scout battalion commander.
On the 13.02.1919 the Swedish company led by Carl Axsel Motheander arrived.
On the 13.02.1919 there was 173 men in the company.
On the 12.03 the company was sent to Paldiski and from there to the Viru front for restructing. On the first days of April the company went to the South front and was led by the the Scout battalion commander.
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.