Talk:Klooga concentration camp

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The Max Jakobson International Commission (see [1] and reference under article), in by far the most comprehensive research to date, reported the following:

"Research has also disclosed evidence of crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide, in which the 286th, 287th and 288th Police Battalions participated at various times in their existence. These include the killing of prisoners at camps in Estonia, and participation in what are described as "raids" on villages in Poland, Belarus, and Lithuania. The 287th was on duty at the Klooga camp in September 1944, when the last surviving prisoners were killed. It is not clear whether the actual killings were carried out by German SS guards, by members of a reserve unit of the Estonian SS, or by members of the 287th. It is however clear that the 287th was actively involved in gathering together the prisoners, guarding them, and escorting them to their death. The unit was withdrawn to Germany and most of its men were sent to the 20th Estonian SS Division.

Given the frequency with which police units changed their personnel, the Commission does not believe that membership in the cited units, or in any specific unit is, on its own, proof of involvement in crimes. However, those individuals who served in the units during the commission of crimes against humanity are to be held responsible for their own actions."

It should be noted, that as of September 1944 (or any other time) the 287th Estonian Police Battalion was not part of SS. Whether or not any members of the 287th carried out the actual killings at Klooga, it would be highly inaccurate to describe this as actions of the "Estonian SS". Cheers, --3 Löwi 07:14, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

• I never claimed that the 287th Estonian Police Battalion were "The Estonian SS". The article did not state that anywhere. It said "the Estonian SS as well as the 287th Estonian Police Battalion". By your own quote from the Max Jakobson International Commission:

It is not clear whether the actual killings were carried out by German SS guards, by members of a reserve unit of the Estonian SS, or by members of the 287th.

Were there not Estonian SS divisions prior to September 1944 who may have been at Klooga? The book reference lists Estonian SS soldiers guarding Klooga as well as German SS and the 287th. I suppose it's a matter of which is a more reliable source. I am completely unable to determine this. Thank you ExRat 11:15, 21 March 2006 (UTC)