Kalev Infantry Battalion
| Kalev Infantry Battalion Kalevi jalaväepataljon | |
|---|---|
|
Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active |
1918–1940 1992–2002 2009–present |
| Country |
 Estonia |
| Branch |
 Estonian Land Forces |
| Type | Mechanized infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 1st Infantry Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Paldiski |
| Anniversaries | 20 December 1918 |
| Engagements |
Estonian War of Independence Latvian War of Independence |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant Colonel Hannes Alesmaa |
| Notable commanders | Otto Tief |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia |
 |
The Kalev Infantry Battalion (Estonian: Kalevi jalaväepataljon) is a next to Scouts battalion one of the elite battalions of the Estonian Land Forces. It is a part of the 1st Infantry Brigade and its primary task is to train conscription-based mechanized infantry maneuver and support units. The battalion has been previously known as the Kalevlaste Maleva and as the Kalev Single Infantry Battalion. The battalion is currently based at Paldiski and is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Hannes Alesmaa.
History
1918–1940
Formed as Kalevlaste Maleva in the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence on 20 December 1918, the battalion was named after the multi-sport club Kalev, whose members founded the unit. The battalion fought in the Estonian War of Independence on the Eastern front against Soviet Russia and in Latvia against the Baltische Landeswehr. In 1920 Kalevlaste Maleva was moved to Võru, where it stayed until the end of the war.[1]
After the war Kalevlaste Maleva continued to operate training conscripts and guarding the border. On 1 July 1922 Kalevlaste Maleva was officially renamed Kalev Battalion and added to the 10th Infantry Regiment (Estonian: 10. jalaväepolk). On 28 October 1928, after the 10th Infantry Regiment was disbanded the Kalev Battalion was renamed Kalev Single Infantry Battalion and stationed in Tallinn.[2] After the Soviet occupation in 1940 the battalion was disbanded.
1992–present
Kalev Single Infantry Battalion was restored on 18 March 1992 and was initially based at Kose but moved to Jägala Army Base in the summer. The battalion was equipped with BTR-80 armoured personnel carriers, BRDM-2 armoured scout cars. In 2002 the battalion was disbanded as a part of the reforms in Estonian Defence Forces, majority of the troops and armoured vehicles were transferred to Scouts Battalion in Paldiski.[1]
Kalev Infantry Battalion was restored again on 1 January 2009 as a part of the 1st Infantry Brigade in Paldiski. The battalion was equipped with Sisu XA-180 armoured personnel carriers and participates in training professional soldiers for international missions and conscripts for mechanized infantry reserve units.[3]
Current structure
Structure as of 7 August 2013:[4]
- Battalion Headquarters
- Infantry Company
- Combat Support Company
- Staff and Support Company
List of commanders
| Career | Commander |
|---|---|
| 1918–1919 | Leopold Tõnson |
| 1919–1920 | Otto Tief |
| 1920–1921 | Oskar Luiga |
| 1921–1925 | Friedrich Karl Pinka |
| 1925–1928 | Anders Linquist |
| 1928–1934 | Jakob Vende |
| 1934–1936 | Johannes Uuskam |
| 1936–1937 | Olav Mullas |
| 1937–1940 | Vassili Külaots |
| 1992–1993 | Albert Helme |
| 1993–1994 | Alar Laneman |
| 1994–1995 | Hannes Toomsalu |
| 1995–1996 | Margus Lillemägi |
| 1996–2000 | Artur Tiganik |
| 2000–2000 | Sander Keskküla |
| 2000–2001 | Raul Tõnnov |
| 2000–2000 | Sander Keskküla |
| 2000–2001 | Raul Tõnnov |
| 2009–2012 | Margus Koplimägi |
| 2012– | Hannes Alesmaa |
See also
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kalevi jalaväepataljon" (in Estonian). Estonian Defence Forces.
- ↑ Õun, Mati. 2001. Eesti sõjavägi 1920-40. Tallinn: Tammiskilp, page 31
- ↑ "First conscripts trained on armoured vehicles enter service". Estonian Defence Forces.
- ↑ "Kalevi jalaväepataljoni põhimäärus" (in Estonian). Riigi Teataja.