Reasons for entering war
Estonia declared neutral from the beginning of the war and remained neutral throughout the war. Due to this, they didn’t take any defensive measures in defending their territory. Estonia was taken over by two different countries during World War 2. Estonians were forced to fight in the occupying countries, while also being denied the rights to fight in their own uniforms. The Soviet pact of mutual assistance signed in 1939 allowed 25 000 Soviet soldiers into the country. Soviets used Estonia sort of as a gateway for bombing Finland during the winter war, which slightly violated the neutrality of the nation. By summer of 1941, when the Germans declared war on the Soviets, the Soviets had already managed to conscript 33 000 Estonians who were put into labour battalions located in Russia.
Germany crossed the border of Estonia on June 22, 1941. Up until 1943, Estonians were not accepted into the German army due to them not being fully “Aryan.” There were a few volunteers into the German army as there was a lot of anger towards the Soviets because they were the original cause of the loss of independence. As the situation was becoming tougher for the Germans, they began mobilising Estonians into German security and assault units. The total amount of conscripts to the German army sums up to about 70 000 men.
In total, there were about 100 000 men who were conscripted to the foreign occupying countries. This is close to 10% of the entire population. The only other option was to flee to Finland to fight in the Winter War, although this option wasn’t widely available. About 3 400 men fled to Finland to avoid the mobilisations of the Germans. Although Estonia was neutral throughout the war, they were still forced to fight for other countries.
Germany crossed the border of Estonia on June 22, 1941. Up until 1943, Estonians were not accepted into the German army due to them not being fully “Aryan.” There were a few volunteers into the German army as there was a lot of anger towards the Soviets because they were the original cause of the loss of independence. As the situation was becoming tougher for the Germans, they began mobilising Estonians into German security and assault units. The total amount of conscripts to the German army sums up to about 70 000 men.
In total, there were about 100 000 men who were conscripted to the foreign occupying countries. This is close to 10% of the entire population. The only other option was to flee to Finland to fight in the Winter War, although this option wasn’t widely available. About 3 400 men fled to Finland to avoid the mobilisations of the Germans. Although Estonia was neutral throughout the war, they were still forced to fight for other countries.