Bombing of Tallinn in World War II

Estonia Theatre after bombing by Red Air Force in March 1944

The German Luftwaffe and Soviet Long Range Aviation bombed the Estonian capital Tallinn several times during World War II. The first instance was during the Summer War of 1941 (part of Operation Barbarossa). A number of bombing missions followed in 1942–43. The largest of the bombings occurred in March 1944 in connection with the Battle of Narva and is known as March bombing (Estonian: märtsipommitamine). Thousands of Soviet bombs set the town on fire, killed 757 people, of whom 586 were civilians and 75 prisoners of war, wounded 659, and left 25,000 people without shelter in the spring thaw.

Luftwaffe raids in 1941

Luftwaffe commenced bombing of Tallinn from the first days of the war in June, and this intensified in August due to the Soviet attempts to evacuate the city's residents, elements of the Baltic Fleet, formations of the 8th Army, and industrial assets important for war production.

Red Air Force raids, 1942-43

Tallinn was bombed on several occasions during May and September, 1942. During 1943, several bombing missions were performed by the Red Air Force on Tallinn in February, March, May, August, and September.

Red Air Force raids in 1944

The heaviest of the air assaults was on 9 March. A week before, the Mayor of Tallinn had given an order to the city dwellers to leave the town, but the evacuation failed. The extent of the attack was beyond the expectations of the local people and the headquarters of the Army Group North. A bombing run consisting of 300 aircraft dropping 3068 bombs, 1725 of them explosive and 1300 incendiary, inflicted heavy damage to the city.[1][2] The fire brigades were scarce on water, as Soviet saboteurs had blown up the city pumping station before the air raid. Military damage was minor, with a few military installations and supply stores destroyed. The major military loss was the burning of a million litres of fuel in the fuel depot. Of the enterprises with some military importance, the "Luther" plywood factory and the Urania-Werke-run cable factory were destroyed. Most of the bombs fell on the dwellings and public buildings, including the Estonia Theatre, St. Nicholas Church, the city synagogue, four cinemas, and the Tallinn City Archives.[3] A large part of the wooden suburbs burnt down and the city centre suffered major damage. According to the official report, 757 people were killed, of whom 586 were civilians, 50 were military personnel, and 121 were prisoners-of-war. 213 had serious injuries, 446 had minor injuries. Amongst the injured were 65 military servicemen and 75 prisoners-of-war. Later, more victims were found, with the number of deaths estimated at up to 800.[2] More than 20,000 people were left without a shelter in the spring thaw, while the military objects were almost untouched.[1][4]

Regarding the high number of civilian casualties and low damage to military and strategic installations in the cities, the Soviet bombing raids were conducted primarily in order to destroy the morale of local civilians opposed to a return of Soviet occupation forces.[2][4][5] Regardless of Soviet intentions, the high civilian casualty toll of the raids had significantly increased the hostility of the Estonian public towards the Soviet army. On 27 February, a Soviet air raid had hit children playing in the school yard of Luunja Parish, killing four. The date of their burial was turned into a national memorial day, accompanied by the poem "Uus Herodes" ("Modern Herod") published by Henrik Visnapuu.[6][7] More Estonians felt an urge to fight against the Soviet advance.[5][8] A slogan was written on the ruins of the Estonia Theatre, saying:[7]

“ Varemeist tõuseb kättemaks! (Vengeance Will Rise from the Ruins!) ”

The slogan became the title of the newspaper of the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian).[7]

The last Red Air Force bomb raid to Tallinn was commenced at night before 22 September 1944.

Memorials

The last ruins—along the Harju Street in the Old Town—served as a memorial to the victims of the raid; but the ruins were filled in 2007 and a park built over them after careful archaeological work.

In popular culture

The song Varemeist tõuseb kättemaks by Estonian rock band HPMA is made as remembrance for the victims of bombing Tallinn on 9 March 1944.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 Kivimäe, Jüri, Kõiv, Lea (1997). Tallinn tules. Dokumente ja materjale Tallinna pommitamisest 9/10. märtsil 1944. (Tallinn on Fire. Documents and materials on the bombing of Tallinn 9/10 March 1944.) (in Estonian). Tallinn City Archives.
  2. 1 2 3 Toomas Hiio (2006). "Combat in Estonia in 1944". In Toomas Hiio, Meelis Maripuu, & Indrek Paavle. Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity. Tallinn. pp. 1035–1094.
  3. ↑ Tallinn City Archives (20 April 2012). "History of the Tallinn City Archives". Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 Enn Sarv & Peep Varju (2005). "Survey of Occupation Regimes". The White Book: Losses inflicted on the Estonian nation by occupation regimes. 1940–1991 (PDF). p. 18.
  5. 1 2 Laar, Mart (2005). "Battles in Estonia in 1944". Estonia in World War II. Tallinn: Grenader. pp. 32–59.
  6. ↑ Henrik Visnapuu (5 March 1944). "Uus Herodes" (in Estonian). Eesti Sõna.
  7. 1 2 3 Mart Laar (2006). Sinimäed 1944: II maailmasõja lahingud Kirde-Eestis (Sinimäed Hills 1944: Battles of II World War in Northeast Estonia (in Estonian). Tallinn: Varrak.
  8. ↑ A.Aasmaa (1999). Tagasivaateid.(Looking Back. In Estonian) In: Mart Tamberg (Comp.). Eesti mehed sõjatules. EVTÜ, Saku
  9. ↑ HPMA
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