Die Wehrmacht 1944 Nr 1 Pt 5 - 20th Estonian SS Volunteer Division - Franz Augsberger - Himmler

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1944
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1943
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1942
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This nice footage shows Estonians and soldiers of the 3rd. SS Totenkopf division during a break in the fighting in early 1944. At that time there were about 14,000 Estonians soldiers under German control.

The Estonian soldiers had been fighting in a number of formations which included the the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking and the Estonian 3rd SS Volunteer Brigade. On January 24 the Brigade was expanded to become the 20th Estonian SS Volunteer Division which was under the command of Franz Augsberger.

With the Soviets advancing quickly west and approaching the Estonian border, at the end of 1943 conscription and mobilization was declared by the German authorities. As a result 30,000 men volunteered and 8,000 were conscripted. The Estonian authorities supported the mobilization under the naive belief that having Estonians under arms when the Soviets took over would be somehow beneficial.

Estonian farmers bring their horses to designated collection points to hand them over to the military.

The introduction of military training to the new recruits.

An Estonian swearing in ceremony for soldiers of the SS Volunteer Battalion Narva and a Luftwaffe unit.

Using tree trunks, these Estonian SS volunteers have managed to cross a trench. Heavy mortar teams are connected by an extensive trench system. The radio operator receives coordinates from a forward observer which he passes on to a mortar crew that is homing in on the enemy.

With the introduction of the military draft at the end of last year it is evident how strong the baltic population feel associated to the new European order. From their experience during the time of the Bolsheviks occupation they understand the danger of the enemy to the east. Only complete commitment can bring victory. Many Estonian soldiers have proven their worth fighting as members of the Waffen SS.

This seems to be a captured Soviet anti-tank gun that the new crew is trying to figure out. It’s not clear that the units were outfitted as well as the German units. This for example is a 50cm so called door knocker that was so underpowered that it was of little use.

This is more combat footage from 1944 showing Estonian soldiers in action. If you like the way I combine primary source materials to produce these videos please like this video and subscribe to the channel. If you are already a Patreon channel member there you can see now see more related material that can’t be shown here. If you’re not yet a member please consider being one. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.

Two Estonian soldiers help a wounded commrad back to friendly lines. To the left is a gun crew placing branches and grass around their light anti tank guns to camouflage the position.

This I believe is a captured 45mm Soviet anti tank gun. The crew is trying to understand how to operate it.

This film clip is from a collection that has a total run time of 10 min and 58 seconds

Above, Estonian SS men are clearing trees from roads that Soviet partisans have blocked them with. Below, is an MG position in the woods a soldier takes advantage of a lull in the fighting to sleep.

Finally we come to the end of the periodical and see this nice color photo that seems to be an old brass shell casing that is being used as an alarm. If you are interested in buying this nice collection of periodicals take a look at the description of this video. Thanks for watching.