Estnische SS Freiwilligen Legion

On 28 August 1942 the Generalkommissar Litzmann announced the formation of a SS volunteer Estonian Legion to fight along side the Germans. Enough recruits were drafted to form three battalions plus a heavy mortar, engineer and antitank companies. The Legion was designated the "Estnische SS Freiwilligen Legion." Volunteers were trained at the SS barracks in Debica, "General Government" Poland. By March 1943, the Debica training camp was renamed to Heidelager. The command of the legion was given to the Austrian SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Augsberger.

On 4 April, 800 volunteers from the 1st battalion were detached from the legion and incorporated for active duty with the "5. SS Panzer-Grenadier Division Wiking." The Estonian Unit was commonly referred as the "Estnische Freiwilligen Bataillon Narwa" (Estonian Volunteer Battalion Narva). Later the battalion was renamed as "SS Pz. Gren. Btl. Narwa."

Estonian Legion Feldpost

Early legion cover sent to "Reval" (Tallinn), capital of Estonia in September 1942 from a volunteer who was in an SS hospital in Lichtenstein.

Feldpost numbers assigned to the Estonian Legion

In summer of 1942, an SS-Estonian volunteer Legion was formed. The following Feldpost numbers were assigned:

3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade

By late April 1943, despite the temporary detachment of the Narva battalion, the legion had increased its numbers to form a unit of brigade strength. On May 5, the brigade was designated as the "3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade." By November 1943, the unit with 5099 men was ready for combat. This brigade was assigned to fight against anti-partisan operations in their homeland. Because of the Soviet offensive drive, the brigade was immediately rushed to the front lines. The brigade was placed under the German VIII Army Corps, 16th Army of Army Group North. The brigade fought against numerous Russian drives while suffering heavy losses. The brigade was driven back to the southwest to Opochka and had come under the 1st Army Corps.

An Estonian "SS Inf. Ausb. u. Ers. Btl. 33" (SS Inf. Training & Replacement Btl. 33) whose purpose was to train and provide replacements for the 3rd Estonia Brigade was stationed in Heidelager.

In May 1943, more personnel were added to reinforce the legion, which was re-designated as the 3rd SS Volunteer Brigade. The following Feldpost numbers were assigned:

Staff & War Reporter Platoon-----------------------59340

SS Grenadier Regiment 45

Staff Regiment & Co.----------------------------------48001

I Battalion (1-4 Co.)------------------------------------56475

II Battalion (5-8 Co.)-----------------------------------48958

Repair Shop Co. 106-------------------------------------67463

Engineer Co. 45------------------------------------------48775

SS Grenadier Regiment 46

Staff Regiment & Co.----------------------------------36341

I Battalion (1-4 Co.)------------------------------------39340

II Battalion (5-8 Co.)-----------------------------------38304

Engineer Co. 46------------------------------------------58312

SS Artillery Unit 53-------------------------------------09046

SS Anti-aircraft 53--------------------------------------01199

SS Anti-tank Unit----------------------------------------48886

SS Signal Co. 53-----------------------------------------56819

SS Medical Co.-------------------------------------------17113

SS Veterinary Co. 53-------------------------------------58826

SS Military Police Troop---------------------------------05495

SS Field Reserve Battalion-----------------------------38087

SS Repair Shop Co.---------------------------------------56464

SS FpA 53------------------------------------------------04530

20. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS Estnische

In late 1943, Estonians from the two battalions 658th and 659th, and including certain Estonian Police formations were merged with the brigade to form a division. By spring 1944, a newly created division was designated the "20. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS Estnische."

In April 1944 the "Narwa" Battalion was pulled out of the "Wiking" Division and added into the 20th SS Division as the "SS Fusilier Bataillon 20." The divisional commander who was Augsberger was promoted to SS Brigaderführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS (he was later killed in action, on March 19, 1945, his placed taken by SS Oberfuhrer Berthold Maack).
The division joined the IIIrd SS Panzer Korps, which defended the northern sector of Narva River line. In summer 1944, the division participated in the celebrated "Battle of the European SS" at Narva (Estonian-Russian border). After constant fierce attacks from the Russian forces, the remnants of the division retreated towards Tannenberg Line in North-Central Estonia.
A new third Battalion composed of Estonian veterans was incorporated into the 46th Regiment of the Finnish Army and was rushed towards Tartu, Estonia, where it was virtually destroyed.

By September 1944, despite their fighting spirit, the defenders were driven from their homeland and forced to retreat along with Germany's collapsing forces, into Silesia and ultimately, to Czechoslovakia. In May 1945 the less fortunate members of the division were captured by the Soviets.

Certain Estonian units were able to escape westwards and gave themselves up to the Anglo-American forces. There were also individual Estonian volunteers in the Nordland Division but these probably numbered less than 100.

During spring 1944, the 3rd Brigade was upgraded to the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division. The Feldpost numbers for the re-designated Waffen-Grenadier 45th and 46th Regiments remained the same however a third battalion was added to each regiment. In addition 47th regiment with three battalions was added. Also the 53rd SS Artillery Unit now became the 20th Artillery Regiment with four battalions. The division was given the Tactical FpA SS-20, and Kenn 471. The following Feldpost numbers were reassigned:

NOTE: FPN 03844 is listed as Staff 2nd Rgt. (20th SS Div.) as of 2 October 1944. Then on 9 November 1944, it was assigned to the 3rd Rgt. till 27 February 1945. Since none of the FPNs belonging to regiments of the 20th SS Division were deleted, it is the assumption that a new 3rd Rgt. was to replace the 47th Rgt., which was destroyed during the fighting in Estonia.