Memorial to the Battle of Avinurme Memorial site
160
This memorial is situated close to the church and graveyard in the small borough of Avinurme.
The battle took place in 1944 and forced Estonians to fight one another: the battalions of the 27th and 921st Estonian Rifle Regiments on the Soviet side, and the Estonian Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS and units of the 300th Special Infantry Division on the German side.
In 1964, a monument was placed in front of the church in Avinurme reading: "Glory to the heroes who fell in Avinurme for the liberation of our homeland. 20. September 1944".
Used sources and references:
Eesti sõjaajaloo teejuht, Tallinn 2010. Compiled by K. Luts
Kultuur ja elu. http://kultuur.elu.ee/ke529_porkuni.htm
Avinurme lahing 1944. Hanno Ojalo & Ranno Sõnum. Ammukaar, 2020.
Avinurme lahing. Valdo Kallion. „Wiking-Narva“ toimetised nr. 1. Tartu, 1998.
Your comments
Related timeline
Related stories
Avinurme lahing
The Battle of Avinurme and the bloodshed by the Soviet military.
Hello! I would like to add some clarifications about the monuments to the Battle of Avinurme. Namely, in 1964, a monument to the soldiers who fell on the Soviet side was erected next to Avinurme Church and it was removed after Estonia regained its independence. In 2004, a new monument was erected there to those killed in the Battle of Avinurme, and a memorial plaque was unveiled in Avinurme Church for Estonian soldiers who fought on the German side who were shot there. In addition, a memorial to the men who fell on the German side in the Battle of Avinurme in 2009 was opened, where the remains of 25 soldiers are buried. Regarding the units that took part in the battle, I would like to specify that the 113th Security Regiment of the 285th Security Division, the units of the 20th SS Division of the Estonian Grenadiers and also the parts of the 2nd, 3rd and 6th Border Guard Regiments, 282nd and 292nd Police Battalions took part in the battle. On the Soviet side, the pre-regiment of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps took part in the battle, consisting of the 2nd Battalion of the 27th Rifle Regiment, which was reinforced with 16 mobile cannons and 12 tanks. On the night of September 20, the Battle of Kõverik (near Avinurme) also took place, with the participation of the Pre-Regiment of the 7th Rifle Division and the 1st Battalion of the 921st Rifle Regiment of the 249th Rifle Division. Sincerely, Ranno Message