Paul Maitla

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Paul Maitla
March 27, 1913 – May 10, 1945
Major Paul Maitla An Estonian military commander of the 45th Estonian Regiment
Nickname	Kugelblitz
Place of death	May 10, 1945,Czech Republic
Allegiance	Estonia
Service/branch	Estonia, Germany
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Major, SS-Sturmbannführer
Unit	20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian)
Battles/wars	World War II Eastern Front Battle of Narva Battle of Oppeln
Awards	Iron Cross 2nd & 1st class Infantry Assault Badge Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Eastern Front Medal

Paul Maitla (born March 27, 1913 Kärkna, Estonia - executed by Czech communists on May 10, 1945, Czech Republic) was an SS-Hauptsturmführer serving in the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) of the Waffen SS. He is one of the four Estonian soldiers who received the Knight's Cross. He received his award for leading the recapture of the central hill of Blue Mountains.

[edit] Early Career

Studied at the Estonian Military School between 1934 to 1938. 1938-40 State defence instructor in the secondary schools of Tartu.

[edit] Death

The fate of Paul Maitla was uncertain for number of decades, until some information was discovered in 2005 in the city archives of the Czech town of Nymburk. These archives show that Maitla was arrested on May 9, 1945 and executed together with 4 other soldiers on May 10 (on the first day of peace after World War II had ended) by Czech communists.^[1]

[edit] References