T. Noormets
S U M M AR Y Summer War in Estonia in 1941 Tiit Noormets
Eesti Rahvusraamatukogu digitaalarhiiv DIGAR (S)
This article will not provide a full overview of the Summer War but will rather deal with some of the important elements of partisan warfare. It is appropriate to start with the term “Summer War” that was first used in the 1950’s by the Estonian exiles when describing the events. In 1941 there were full-scale hostilities in Estonia between the Red Army and the German Wehrmacht. At the same time the Estonian resistance movement (the so-called “forest brothers”) hold its own war with its strength and goals. In direct combat against the Soviets the resistance found allies among the Germans — the future occupants. It can, however, be stated that the fighting of the forest brothers was yet another, separate war. Though the name “Summer War” carries a bit of a national-propagandistic undertone, there is still a clear reason for using it as a historic term. The first mentioning of a forest brother (Enn Murulaid) dates back to September 1940. Murulaid was born in Arumäe village, Alutaguse rural municipality and after he had deserted from compulsory service in the Red Army, he hid himself in the forests until a partisan warfare broke out. He then joined a large and active partisan unit. The number of people who were hiding from the authorities grew with the continuing of Soviet repressive politics. However, it was not large-scale until the mass deportation on 14 June 1941. As a direct result of this event, people left their homes and went to hide in the forests. Soviet terror (e.g. the relocation of the 22nd Rifle Corps — the remnants of the Estonian armed forces — out of Estonia at the end of June, calling for draftees in the beginning of July and mobilisations in late July and August) only added to the growth of the forest brothers’ movement. By the term ”forest brother” one must understand the people who hid themselves from Soviet power, did it mostly by escaping to the forests. Some of the forest brothers gathered in groups and armed themselves with available weaponry. After having developed a military leadership, proper organisational structure and discipline, they eventually turned from escapees into able partisan units. There are a number of preconditions required for guerrilla warfare. Some of the most important are the following: Support of the local people; Organisational preparation and leadership of the partisan forces; The existence of a generally accepted goal or programme; Availability of foreign aid; Weaponry and military gear or its constant supply.
Tiit Noormets (b. 1959), staff researcher at the Estonian State Archives.
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