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{{Short description|Nazi Germany military unit}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=36th Estonian Police Battalion
|unit_name=36th Estonian Police Battalion
|dates= 23 November 1941 – 18 January 1943
|dates= 23 November 1941 – 18 January 1943
|country= {{Flag|Nazi Germany}}
|allegiance= {{Flag|Nazi Germany}}
⚫
|branch= [[Schutzmannschaft]]<br />[[Estonian Auxiliary Police]]
|allegiance=
⚫
|branch= [[Estonian Auxiliary Police]]
|type= Battalion
|type= Battalion
|role= [[Schutzmannschaft]]
|role= [[Bandenbekämpfung|Rear security]]
|size= 438 (August 1942)
|size= 438 (August 1942)
|command_structure=[[SS]] of [[Nazi Germany]]
|command_structure=[[SS]] of [[Nazi Germany]]
Line 18: Line 18:
|march=
|march=
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol=
|battles= [[Battle of Stalingrad]]
|battles= [[Nazi security warfare]]<br />[[Battle of Stalingrad]]
|notable_commanders= [[Harald Riipalu]]
|notable_commanders= [[Harald Riipalu]]
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
}}
}}


'''36th Estonian Police Battalion''' (also known as ''Schutzmannschaft Front Bataillon 36 Arensburg'' (German) and ''36. Kaitse Rindepataljon'' (Estonian)) was an [[Estonia]]n rear-security unit during [[World War II]] that operated under command of the [[Schutzstaffel|SS]] of [[Nazi Germany]].
'''36th Estonian Police Battalion''' (also known as ''Schutzmannschaft Front Bataillon 36 Arensburg'' (German) and ''36. Kaitse Rindepataljon'' (Estonian)) was an Estonian [[Bandenbekämpfung|rear-security]] unit during [[World War II]] that operated under command of the German [[Schutzstaffel|SS]].


==Operational history==
The battalion was established on 23 November 1941, and was formed in western Estonia and on [[West Estonian archipelago|Estonian islands]]. Between May and August 1942 the battalion was in training and received additional reinforcements from other units, bringing its total stenght to 23 officers, 161 non-commissioned officers, and 254 soldiers.<ref name=hiio2011_p208>{{cite journal|last1=Hiio|first1=Toomas|title=Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht’i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal|journal=Estonian Yearbook of Military History |date=2011|page=208|lang=Estonian|url=http://publications.tlu.ee/index.php/eymh/article/view/450/334|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref>
It participated at [[Anti-partisan operations in Belarus|rear-security and anti-partisan operations in Belarus]] and guarded the [[prisoner-of-war camp]]s in the coal mines of [[Stalino]] and [[Makeyevka]].<ref>Massimo Arico, Ordnungspolizei - Encyclopedia of the German police battalions September 1939 - July 1942, p. 144-145.</ref><ref name=hiio>{{cite book|author=Aivar Niglas, [[:et:Toomas Hiio|Toomas Hiio]]|year=2006|pages=825–876|chapter=Estonian defence battalions / police battalions|editor=Toomas Hiio |editor2=Meelis Maripuu |editor3=Indrek Paavle |title=Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the [[Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]]|location=Tallinn}}</ref> From 22 November to 31 December 1942 the battalion took part of the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].<ref name=hiio/> Having suffered casualties of 39 killed, 97 wounded, and 11 missing, the battalion was brought back to Estonia in January 1943 and disbanded, with many men joining the [[Estonian Legion]].<ref name=hiio2011_p209>{{cite journal|last1=Hiio|first1=Toomas|title=Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht’i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal|journal=Estonian Yearbook of Military History |date=2011|page=209|lang=Estonian|url=http://publications.tlu.ee/index.php/eymh/article/view/450/334|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref>
The 36th Estonian Police Battalion was established on 23 November 1941 in western Estonia and on [[West Estonian archipelago|Estonian islands]]. Between May and August 1942, the battalion was in training and received reinforcements from other units, bringing its total strength to 23 officers, 161 non-commissioned officers, and 254 troops.<ref name=hiio2011_p208>{{cite journal|last1=Hiio|first1=Toomas|title=Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht'i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal|journal=Estonian Yearbook of Military History |date=2011|page=208|language=et|url=http://publications.tlu.ee/index.php/eymh/article/view/450/334|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>
It participated at [[Anti-partisan operations in Belarus]] and guarded the [[prisoner-of-war camp]]s in the coal mines of [[Stalino]] and [[Makeyevka]].<ref name=hiio>{{cite book|author=Aivar Niglas |author2=[[:et:Toomas Hiio|Toomas Hiio]]|year=2006|pages=825–876|chapter=Estonian defence battalions / police battalions|editor=Toomas Hiio |editor2=Meelis Maripuu |editor3=Indrek Paavle |title=Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity|location=Tallinn}}</ref> From 22 November to 31 December 1942 the battalion took part of the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].<ref name=hiio/> Having had 39 killed, 97 wounded, and 11 missing, the battalion was brought back to Estonia in January 1943 and disbanded, with many men joining the [[Estonian Legion]].<ref name=hiio2011_p209>{{cite journal|last1=Hiio|first1=Toomas|title=Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht'i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal|journal=Estonian Yearbook of Military History |date=2011|page=209|language=et|url=http://publications.tlu.ee/index.php/eymh/article/view/450/334|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>


36th battalion was reformed in May 1943, and in autumn was sent to the front at [[Nevel (town)|Nevel]] where it was merged into 288th battalion.<ref name=hiio2011_p209/>
The 36th battalion was formed again in May 1943, and in autumn was sent to the front at [[Nevel (town)|Nevel]] where it was merged into the 288th battalion.<ref name=hiio2011_p209/>


==Possible involvement in Novogrudok mass killings==
==Massacre at Novogrudok==
On 6 and 7 August 3000 to 5000 Jews were killed in the area of [[Navahrudak#World War II|Novogrudok, Belarus]].<ref name=hiio2011_p209/><ref name=Kaasik>{{cite journal|last1=Kaasik|first1=Peeter|title=What Did the 36th Estonian Front Defence Battalion Do in Novogrudok?|journal=[[National Archives of Estonia|Tuna]] |date=2017
The battalion's report under [[Harald Riipalu]]'s signature establishes the unit's presence in [[Navahrudak#World War II|Novogrudok, Belarus]] at period from 5 August to 25 August 1942, conducting anti-partisan operations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://epl.delfi.ee/news/eesti/ee-eestlased-voisid-osaleda-valgevene-massimorvas?id=50880123 |title=EE: Eestlased võisid osaleda Valgevene massimõrvas|first=Pekka|last=Erelt |publisher=[[Eesti Ekspress]] |date=10 May 2001 |accessdate=4 August 2018|lang=Estonian}}</ref> 16 August battalion report stated that it had suffered casualties of 1 killed and 2 wounded.<ref name=epl>{{cite news |url=http://epl.delfi.ee/news/eesti/kilode-viisi-arhiividokumente-andsid-sama-vastuse-zuroffil-pole-toendeid?id=50945048 |title=Kilode viisi arhiividokumente andsid sama vastuse: Zuroffil pole tõendeid |publisher=[[Eesti Päevaleht]] |date=25 January 2003 |accessdate=4 August 2018|lang=Estonian}}</ref>
|volume=2
|url=http://www.ra.ee/tuna/en/what-did-the-36th-estonian-front-defence-battalion-do-in-novogrudok/
|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> The 36th battalion was in the area from 4 August to 25 August 1942. The battalion's 16 August report said that the battalion was engaged in "fighting against partisans".<ref name=hiio2011_p208/><ref name=Kaasik/>


According to the [[Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945|United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945]], the battalion took part in the murder of Jews in [[Navahrudak#World War II|Novogrudok, Belarus]] in August 1942.<ref>[[Geoffrey P. Megargee]] (ed.) (2012): ''[[Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945|The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945]]: Ghettos in German-Occupied Eastern Europe'', [[Indiana University Press]], p. 1249]</ref> According to the [[Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]], "the 36th Police Battalion participated on August 7, 1942 in the gathering together and shooting of almost all the Jews still surviving in the town of Novogrudok". The Commission's report noted:<ref>{{cite web|title=PHASE II : THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF ESTONIA IN 1941–1944|publisher=[[Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]]|page=XXI|url=http://www.mnemosyne.ee/hc.ee/pdf/conclusions_en_1941-1944.pdf|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref>
According to the [[Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]], "the 36th Police Battalion participated on August 7, 1942 in the gathering together and shooting of almost all Jews still surviving in the town of Novogrudok". The Commission's report noted:<ref>{{cite web|title=PHASE II: THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF ESTONIA IN 1941–1944|publisher=[[Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]]|page=XXI|url=http://www.mnemosyne.ee/hc.ee/pdf/conclusions_en_1941-1944.pdf|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103650/http://www.mnemosyne.ee/hc.ee/pdf/conclusions_en_1941-1944.pdf|archive-date=2012-03-05}}</ref>


<blockquote>In the published records, this unit was described as fighting against partisans at the time. The Commission believes that although there clearly were numerous engagements between police units and partisans, "fighting against partisans" and "guarding prisoner of war camps" were at times ways of describing participation in actions against civilians, including Jews.</blockquote>
<blockquote>In the published records, this unit was described as fighting against partisans at the time. The Commission believes that although there clearly were numerous engagements between police units and partisans, "fighting against partisans" and "guarding prisoner of war camps" were at times ways of describing participation in actions against civilians, including Jews.</blockquote>


The [[Estonian Internal Security Service]] (KaPo) investigation into the battalion's activities concluded that there was no evidence about participation in war crimes or crimes against humanity.<ref name=epl>{{cite news |url=http://epl.delfi.ee/news/eesti/kilode-viisi-arhiividokumente-andsid-sama-vastuse-zuroffil-pole-toendeid?id=50945048 |title=Kilode viisi arhiividokumente andsid sama vastuse: Zuroffil pole tõendeid |publisher=[[Eesti Päevaleht]] |date=25 January 2003 |access-date=4 August 2018|language=et}}</ref>
In the press conference about the Commissions findings, [[Max Jakobson]], leader of the Commission, stated that the Commission was sure about the battalion's participation in anti-Jewish operation, but he also added that the exact nature of the battalion's role could not be established, and there was no evidence about direct involvement in the killings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.postimees.ee/1959877/max-jakobson-eestlased-aitasid-juutide-tapmisele-kaasa |title=Max Jakobson: eestlased aitasid juutide tapmisele kaasa |publisher=[[Postimees]] |date=23 August 2002 |accessdate=4 August 2018|lang=Estonian}}</ref> Jurist and criminologist Herbert Lindmäe criticized the Commission's investigation for the way it drew conclusions on inconclusive information, usage of [[NKVD]] interrogation reports, and failure to interview any of the surviving members of the battalion.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lindmäe|first1=Herbert|title=Hinnang M. Jakobsoni rahvusvahelise komisjoni raportile|journal=[[Kultuur ja Elu]]|date=2011|url=http://kultuur.elu.ee/ke505_okupatsioon.htm|accessdate=4 August 2018|lang=Estonian}}</ref>

The [[Estonian Internal Security Service]] (KaPo) investigation into the battalion's activities concluded that there is no evidence about participation in war crimes or crimes against humanity. It also reported there had been investigation about the battalion in Germany in 1966, including request for information to [[Soviet Union]], which also did not reveal participation in war crimes.<ref name=epl/>

In 1960s German and Israeli police investigations about Novogrudok killings blamed them on [[Feldgendarmerie|German gendarmerie]], Lithuanian, and Belarussian units.<ref name=hiio2011_p209/>

Historian Peeter Kaasik concluded that it is not really possible to prove or disprove anything about the battalion's possible involvement due to lack of sources and discrepancies in the existing information, rendering matter largely into a "question of faith".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kaasik|first1=Peeter|title=What Did the 36th Estonian Front Defence Battalion Do in Novogrudok?|journal=[[National Archives of Estonia|Tuna]]|date=2017|volume=2|url=http://www.ra.ee/tuna/en/what-did-the-36th-estonian-front-defence-battalion-do-in-novogrudok/|accessdate=4 August 2018}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Schutzmannschaft]]
[[Category:Estonian Auxiliary Police]]
[[Category:Military history of Estonia during World War II]]
[[Category:The Holocaust in Belarus]]
[[Category:Reichskommissariat Ostland]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 6 February 2024

36th Estonian Police Battalion
Active23 November 1941 – 18 January 1943
Allegiance Nazi Germany
BranchSchutzmannschaft
Estonian Auxiliary Police
TypeBattalion
RoleRear security
Size438 (August 1942)
Part ofSS of Nazi Germany
EngagementsNazi security warfare
Battle of Stalingrad
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Harald Riipalu

36th Estonian Police Battalion (also known as Schutzmannschaft Front Bataillon 36 Arensburg (German) and 36. Kaitse Rindepataljon (Estonian)) was an Estonian rear-security unit during World War II that operated under command of the German SS.

Operational history[edit]

The 36th Estonian Police Battalion was established on 23 November 1941 in western Estonia and on Estonian islands. Between May and August 1942, the battalion was in training and received reinforcements from other units, bringing its total strength to 23 officers, 161 non-commissioned officers, and 254 troops.[1] It participated at Anti-partisan operations in Belarus and guarded the prisoner-of-war camps in the coal mines of Stalino and Makeyevka.[2] From 22 November to 31 December 1942 the battalion took part of the Battle of Stalingrad.[2] Having had 39 killed, 97 wounded, and 11 missing, the battalion was brought back to Estonia in January 1943 and disbanded, with many men joining the Estonian Legion.[3]

The 36th battalion was formed again in May 1943, and in autumn was sent to the front at Nevel where it was merged into the 288th battalion.[3]

Massacre at Novogrudok[edit]

On 6 and 7 August 3000 to 5000 Jews were killed in the area of Novogrudok, Belarus.[3][4] The 36th battalion was in the area from 4 August to 25 August 1942. The battalion's 16 August report said that the battalion was engaged in "fighting against partisans".[1][4]

According to the Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity, "the 36th Police Battalion participated on August 7, 1942 in the gathering together and shooting of almost all Jews still surviving in the town of Novogrudok". The Commission's report noted:[5]

In the published records, this unit was described as fighting against partisans at the time. The Commission believes that although there clearly were numerous engagements between police units and partisans, "fighting against partisans" and "guarding prisoner of war camps" were at times ways of describing participation in actions against civilians, including Jews.

The Estonian Internal Security Service (KaPo) investigation into the battalion's activities concluded that there was no evidence about participation in war crimes or crimes against humanity.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hiio, Toomas (2011). "Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht'i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal". Estonian Yearbook of Military History (in Estonian): 208. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b Aivar Niglas; Toomas Hiio [in Estonian] (2006). "Estonian defence battalions / police battalions". In Toomas Hiio; Meelis Maripuu; Indrek Paavle (eds.). Estonia 1940–1945: Reports of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity. Tallinn. pp. 825–876.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ a b c Hiio, Toomas (2011). "Eesti üksustest Wehrmacht'i, SSi ja politsei ning Relva-SSi alluvuses Teise maailmasõja ajal". Estonian Yearbook of Military History (in Estonian): 209. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  4. ^ a b Kaasik, Peeter (2017). "What Did the 36th Estonian Front Defence Battalion Do in Novogrudok?". Tuna. 2. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  5. ^ "PHASE II: THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF ESTONIA IN 1941–1944" (PDF). Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity. p. XXI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Kilode viisi arhiividokumente andsid sama vastuse: Zuroffil pole tõendeid" (in Estonian). Eesti Päevaleht. 25 January 2003. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
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