8th Rifle Corps (Soviet Union)

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8th 'Estonian' Rifle Corps
Active August 25, 1942
Country Soviet Union
Allegiance Estonian SSR
Branch Army
Type Infantry
Size Several divisions (3?)
Nickname Estonian Rifle Corps
Engagements Baltic Offensive
Disbanded June 28, 1945
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Lieutenant General, Lembit Parn

The 8th 'Estonian' Rifle Corps (Russian: 8-й Эстонский стрелковый корпус, Estonian: 8. Eesti Laskurkorpus) was a formation in the Soviet Army, created on August 25, 1942, during World War II. The corps' original structure consisted of the 7th and 249th Estonian rifle divisions, reinforced by Estonian volunteers. In an effort to increase experience, the battle hardened 19th Guards Rifle Division later joined the 8th Rifle Corps. Throughout its entire existence, the rifle corps was commanded by Lieutenant General Lembit Parn. The total number of ethnic Estonians in the formation was no less than 80% of the entire structure.

[edit] War service

The corps fought a total 916 days in the war, and at different times it was in service with the Kalinin, Leningrad and 2nd Baltic Fronts. For 344 days parts of the corps were engaged with German forces, but no significant gains were made. For the next 123 days, the formation was engaging in the Battle of Velikiye Luki. Then, 37 days were spent in the Battle of Narva and the Battle of Tallinn, and the final 69 days were devoted to the Battle of Courland. During the Narva and Tallinn operations, the corps was engaged in direct battle with the 1st Estonian Waffen SS Division. In total, 4100 settlements were liberated by the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps.

Of the whole rifle corps, one division, six regiments, and one battalion were decorated with an order. The 8th Estonian Rifle Corps was also given the honourable name "Tallinn", and on June 28, 1945 the corps was renamed the 41st Guards Estonian Tallinn Rifle Corps.

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