Coastal batteries of Estonia
| Estonian Naval Fortresses | |
|---|---|
|
The flag of the Estonian Naval Fortresses | |
| Active | 13 November 1918 - 1 April 1940[1] |
| Country | Estonia |
| Allegiance | Estonian Navy |
| Branch | artillery |
| Type | coastal artillery |
| Role | surface warfare |
| Size |
656 peacetime strength 1183 combat strength |
| Garrison/HQ |
Aegna Naissaar Suurupi Miiduranna Leppneeme Randvere |
| Anniversaries |
13 November 1918 16 February 1919 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Major-General Johannes Orasmaa Colonel Vladimir Janitz Lieutenant-Colonel Karl A. Freimann Captain-Major Vassili Martson Captain Joan Masik Captain Joan Masik Captain Konrad Rotschild Staff-Captain[2] Eduard Aindt |
The coastal batteries presented itself as a powerful strike force of Estonian Navy between 1918 and 1940.
History
Since the end of the 19th century the Russian Empire began to build coastal fortresses and naval strongholds to Estonia which was annexed to empire after the Great Northern War in 1721. Tallinn having been historically an important trading center between the East and the West became one of the main naval bases of the Imperial Russian Baltic fleet.A systematic coastal defence network and naval gun installations were ordered and the construction works began at the end of the 1890s.
During the Republic of Estonia
Most of the coastal fortifications and fortresses were blown up by the retreating Russians units in October 1917 after the Germans had landed on the islands. During the Estonian War of Independence and after the Treaty of Tartu the Estonia Navy began to rebuild and develop the coastal defence network. During the period of independence from 1918 to 1940 Estonia invested millions of kroons into the renovation and development of the coastal defence. By 1939 the coastal batteries presented a considerable naval force and were considered among the Navy elite forces.
Estonian-Finnish naval defence cooperation
Gallery
-
Tallinn: Armoured-trains 102 mm gun platform No. 215
References
- ↑ http://www.raamatukoi.ee/cgi-bin/raamat?6539
Military of Estonia:1920-1940. Mati Õun. Page 78. - ↑ http://www.raamatukoi.ee/cgi-bin/raamat?7619
Estonian Naval Fortresses. Mati Õun. Page 6.
External links
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