Battle of Utria

1919 military conflict in Estonia during Estonian War of Independence

59°24′N 27°55′E / 59.4°N 27.92°E / 59.4; 27.92Result Estonian victoryBelligerents

 Estonia

Finland Finnish volunteers Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Soviet RussiaCommanders and leaders Estonia Johan Pitka
Estonia Aleksander Paulus
Sweden Martin Ekström Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Nikolai N. Ivanov[1]Units involved Estonia Estonian Navy
EstoniaMeredessantpataljon
Finland 1st Finnish Volunteer Corps [fi]

Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic 6th Rifle Division

  • 7th Regiment
  • 86th Regiment
Strength 1,900 soldiers
2 destroyers
1 gunboat
1 transport ship 2,700 soldiersCasualties and losses 32 killed about 300 killed
  • v
  • t
  • e
Estonian War of Independence
1918
  • Narva
  • Joala
  • Auvere
  • Rägavere
  • Punapargi
  • Kunda
1919
  • Valkla
  • Kehra
  • Vetla
  • Voose
  • Priske
  • Aidu
  • Kärstna
  • Tapa
  • Kunda
  • Tartu
  • Utria
  • Laagna
  • Narva
  • Reola
  • Pikksaare
  • Uderna
  • Kirepi
  • Paju
  • Sänna - Suure-Ruuga
  • Pskov
  • Marienburg-Jakobstadt
  • Lemsalu and Roopa
  • Cēsis
  • Krasnaja Gorka
  • Krivasoo
  • Petrograd

Latvian-Estonian Crisis

Battle of Utria (Estonian: Utria Lahing) also known as the Utria Landing (Estonian: Utria Dessant) took place during the Estonian War of Independence on 17–20 January 1919 at Udria beach.[2] It was amphibious landing of Estonian forces consisting mainly of Finnish volunteers.

Background

Estonian forces

The naval Taskforce was under the command of Admiral Johan Pitka, he was supported by the Swedish naval officer Martin Ekström and by Captain Aleksander Paulus and Captain Anto Nestori Eskola. The invasion force consisted of roughly 1,900 soldiers under the command of Colonel Martin Ekström.

Soviet forces

Elements of the 6th Rifle Division defending the area were under the command of Nikolai Ivanov. In total the Soviets were able to muster a force of 2,700 men to defend the area from the Estonian military.

Aftermath

The successful landing undertaken by the Estonian military, enabled Estonian units to liberate the border town of Narva on 19 January 1919.

References

  1. ^ 6-я Орловско-Хинганская дважды Краснознаменная стрелковая дивизия Rkka.ru
  2. ^ Jyri Kork (Ed.), Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920, Esto, Baltimore, 1988 (Reprint from Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920. Historical Committee for the War of Independence, Tallinn, 1938)