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A year of Soviet rule was followed by the Nazi invasion in 1941. Recent memories of Communists' atrocities caused a great number of Estonians to fight against the retreating Soviets and cheer the advance by the troops of Wehrmacht.
The sense of relief was short-lived. It became evident that the Nazis would not countenance any attempt at restoring Estonia's independence. Instead, they initiated repression against Jews and Romani, Communists, and also against pro-Western Estonian Nationalists.
To avoid being forced to fight Communists with the Nazis, many opted for 'a decent uniform' and fled to serve in the Finnish Army. |
Estonian volunteers in the Finnish Army on the Karelian front ...
... and upon their return to Estonia