These are the stories of five Estonian officers who were classmates at the Estonian Military Technical Academy during the years of 1936 thru 1940. Their detailed memoirs start with the Soviet occupation of Estonia and the outbreak of World War II. All were commissioned 2nd lieutenants upon their graduation from the academy in 1940. Then their lives took different paths.
Оглавление
Carl Orav. WE WERE ESTONIAN SOLDIERS
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Brief Historical Background
Chapter 1. End of the Cadet Years
Chapter 2. Bits of War Memories
Chapter 3. My Execution Was Carried Out
Chapter 4. Guided by Fate
Chapter 5. Like Being Engulfed by Fire
Chapter 6. Soldier and Fate
Chapter 7. Why Did the Estonian Soldier Fight?
Postscript
About the Editor
Photo and Illustration credits:
Отрывок из книги
WE WERE
Carl Orav
.....
On the day of the workers’ demonstration we observed a large group of young men walking toward the main square. They were in civilian clothing but were walking in step and with the discipline of soldiers. Their presence there was obviously to help choreograph the event.
We were put on alert status, meaning that each cadet was armed and all doors to our building were locked and guarded. The Department of the Interior had received a notice from the Soviet delegation that if the police attempted to interfere with the demonstration there would be bloodshed.
