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Make it fast!
Wait, come here. This guy is still alive.
Grab his gear and move. The red army might come back any minute.
But we can't let him die here.
We didn't come to pick up the dying.
What are you lingering We are in a hurry
Grab him and let’s move.
Battles in the Legion
Why did we bring him, he is only going to bring us trouble.
But we don't leave Estonians behind.
That's easy for you to say.
You don't have to treat him.
You have a fever.
You need to drink a lot.
What is this?
It helps you get better.
Calm down it was just a dream.
What are you doing there?
I'm keeping a diary of our battles.
Ok.
You really think somebody is going to read this.
Once we free ourselves then the next generation will read about how people fought for Estonia.
For a start you could tell about how you ended up in the Legion.
I don't know. What's there to tell.
I went there on my own free will.
I was furious and desperate when the Reds deported my brother in 1941.
The said that he worked against the Soviet Union.
In my opinion it's complete nonsense.
Finally my hometown was burned by the wars.
That's when I've had it
and joined the Legions call. I don't regret it.
Yes justice needs prevail in Estonia.
If we ourselves don't fight, then there is not going to be a country or nation.
We received our training in Poland.
In six months we were taught about the knowledge and skill of combat until we were sent to the front.
It was the summer of 43.
We were stationed at a less dangerous front in order to gain our first combat experience.
At first it was quiet.
We haven't heard anything from the enemy.
We sat in our trenches and killed time,
cleaned our weapons and maintained our gear.
There was even time for chatting.
During all this we couldn't lose our readiness.
To avoid a strike, there was a sentry post, with shifts, placed ahead of the front.
Red Army!
Red Army!
Red Army!...Red Army!...
And the frightening alarm sounded.
I was struck with fear and panic. I was uneasy.
I was scared and couldn't do anything. Suddenly I spotted an enemy in my line of fire.
After the shot I felt relief. I gained courage and continued onward.
The enemy retreated. We were successful with our squad.
By the spring of 44 we were stationed at the defense.
We sat in the firing nest with my battle companion and ate breakfast.
We discussed about the world and the fate of small Estonia.
The concern was great, because the success of the Germans was turning.
The punch and energy was all gone.
There where rumors that the Red Army-s movement has increased.
We awaited a great counter offensive.
You think there is going to be any tumult today.
What do you think?
There hasn't been a day without fighting.
since from yesterday till now, I haven't eaten or slept properly.
The Russians really do want Estonia.
It's not going to be easy for them.
I'm ready to fight till the end.
Guys, get ready!
Acknowledged!
Another signal of one more conflict going to start. Get ready!
Friendly! Friendly!
The Ivan's have begun their assault.
How many are there?
A lot.
Our guys at the south are already retreating.
They are not going to get through here.
Good luck.
It seems there is a big battle in the south since the men are out of ammunition.
Our situation isn't better either,
when we run out of grenades, we need to start throwing rocks.
No, cones!
Good idea.
Look, a Russian!
Then something has to be done.
Incoming!
Shoot now!
We scared them for a moment ago.
I show them what an Estonian soldier is.
Dam devils! Again they are trying to break through.
Let them run. German pioneers placed lot of mines behind our lines.
That means that at least half of them are going to be killed.
Let’s just hope that Russian scouts haven't found them.
The minefield is just 100m from here.
There is no reason to retreat.
Holy smokes!
Let’s pack our gear.
Grenades!
The Red Army broke through.
We were forced to retreat to another line of defense
where we managed to defeat the enemy.
I'm tired of talking.
Yes, you need to rest. It's late.
How is Mart-s health?
The fever is gone.
The shrapnel wound also isn't bleeding anymore.
He should be up soon.
We'll leave as soon as possible.
we no longer safe here.
Red troops have been patrolling these areas for awhile now.
My time to be on the lookout!
Keep an eye on Mart and watch that he doesn't start bleeding.
Morning!
Morning to! I thought it was a gunshot.
How are you feeling?
A lot better now.
Your clothes are on the chair and boots under.
Found them.
Come get something to eat. You haven't eaten anything.
Here take some bread.
Last you talked about how you defeated the Red Army during spring.
Yeah right.
We were under enemy fire. The Intel had been bad.
The Red Army-s defenses were a lot stronger than we expected.
The situation was getting worse since we had been losing many men.
The enemy had dug itself in and was just waiting for our assault.
All who had reached to the enemy's hill, Where unable to proceed.
Red Army-s rapid fire kept us from going forward.
Men who, at their own initiative, tried to conquer the hill paid the debt of nature.
You, you and you there!
On my command start retreating and attack the enemy from the left! Is that clear!
We'll do our best.
Move now!
I and my two companions received an order to flank the enemy.
Our task was to break out of the enemies grip and attack from the side.
While looking for a way behind enemy lines we had to be really careful.
We needed to act fast in order to reduce anymore casualties.
The fate of the whole battle was in our hand now.
Are you crazy!
We were lucky that the passing Red-s didn't spot us.
All right, everything clear let’s cross this road.
Finally we managed to get away from the battle turmoil.
We found a hole in the enemies defenses and broke through it.
The biggest threat had been passed.
What are we waiting for! Let’s throw the grenades in the trench.
The flanking was a great success and we managed to defeat the enemy.
But that all had a price.
Many lost their lives in that forest.
That was the first time I saw so much death. The sight was horrible.
What happened then?
We had to abandon part of Estonia to the Reds due to heavy losses.
The enemy was pushing into our lands.
What do you want!
It's your time for patrolling.
Already!
We started with defensive battles. We dug ourselves in.
We joined the foxholes and shelters with ditches.
At the beginning life in the trenches had been quiet.
Tiresome nightshift!
One hour of patrolling during sleeping time wasn't easy.
Fatigue was already very high and rest wasn't given.
For safety reasons I also had to be on guard duty during nighttime.
Sometimes there were many shifts.
That’s what a soldier’s life is.
Wake up.
You where lucky that none of the superiors didn't see you.
I haven't slept well for days.
Yes we all have the same problem. This war should already end.
True, I have a wife waiting for me at home.
Let’s don't get our hopes up. I move.
Hey, do you happen to know whose gun this is. It was lying in this bunker.
Wait. He should sleep right here.
All right, I'm going now.
Bye.
Try not to fall asleep.
Yes.
Sorry for interrupting but somebody here left this gun into foxhole.
Ooh it’s my gun. Thank you.
Try not to leave it next time.
It's not going to happen.
Just half an hour left. Then I can get back to sleep.
Was this really just an animal or perhaps the enemy who was lurking for our positions?
Last night’s cracklings implied the enemy would visit soon.
One of the corner post discovered them and so the battle starts.
Enemy!
Everyone needed to reach quickly their foxholes,
but my combat companion was stuck somewhere.
Where were you!
The Reds came really close but we managed to slaughter them before they reached the trenches.
There were rumors that other fronts had already been penetrated.
They talked about the enemies strong tank and plane support.
Due to this they quickly formed a reconnaissance group
where they assigned me and two of my comrades.
Our task was to find the location and strength of a Reds encampment.
They were afraid that the enemy would penetrate us soon.
We were heading behind enemy lines. We had to be as cautious as possible.
Even the slightest crackle can give away our position to the enemy.
Everything went well until a drunken sentry discovered us.
Stop! Who is there?
Go ahead and be on the lookout. I can't leave him like this.
Clear.
Let's move.
Get down!
It was a Red patrol that luckily didn't see us went on.
When the threat had passed, we decided to keep on going.
We were going downward a steep hill to the roadside.
With every step we felt that we where getting closer to the enemies encampment.
Next we had to cross the road that the enemies used to get to the front.
We saw an opportunity when we saw that the enemies patrol had passed.
Again this guy is drunken.
Igor?
What was that?
The shift came sooner than expected.
The reconnaissance failed. Retreat!
Now that the grenade had exploded we needed to retreat really fast.
The patrol responded to the explosion and went to investigate.
The Reds picked up our sent and started combing for us.
But the forest hid traps in it that we didn't knew about.
Go I'll cover you.
Don't leave me behind! ***!
We need to move forward.
But we can't leave Mihkel like this.
Don't leave me behind! Where are you running! Wait!
They kept chasing us for a very long time.
Eventually we managed to escape.
I couldn't believe that another one of my comrades had fallen.
And I couldn't do anything.
Yeah, horrible things happen in wars.
Do you still have to chat at such a late hour! Some of us are trying to sleep!
I think we should conclude for now.
Yep tomorrow is also another day.
The say that Finland has made peace with the Soviet Union
and that the Germans are abandoning Estonia.
How are we going to fight now?
We have to survive until the end of the war and the English will come and help us.
Mart, your soldier’s life is over. What are you going to do next?
I don't know. There is no place to go to.
My family is missing, no wife and my hometown has been bombed.
When they find out that you served in the German military
you are either going to shot or deported.
How about you join us?
Wait, isn't it your time to be on lookout duty?
The Red Army moved towards Tallinn, they're gone from here.
We can't waste this opportunity. We need to get away from here tonight.
Mart, how about you?
Ah, I'm fine. I think I can take this journey.
I heard about your soldier stories. Talk about the last one where you got wounded.
Yeah right.
But first I'll talk about how we were bombed from our trenches.
We came back from recon
and reported to our superior but by noon the battle had already started.
The enemy was attacking us from the left.
The number of our combatants had decreased.
Aside from our own foxhole we had to keep an eye on the adjacent foxholes too.
That meant that sometimes the enemy got really close.
Grenade!
Men, got ammo? Yes. Yes.
I think they retreated. It seems so.
Hmm, it only lasted for five minutes, strange.
Mortar fire! Mortar fire!
Mortar fire!
Mortar fire! Mortar fire! Mortar fire!
Dam it. They already managed to get into our trenches.
I decided to put bayonet on my weapon.
I was struck with fury when I saw my stabbed combat companion.
I mercilessly began firing towards the enemy.
Half of my squad had fallen. I was one of last to stay in the fight.
The rest of the squad went ahead. I rushed after them.
Due to heavy losses we were forced to retreat to another line of defense.
We gathered our remains and spread across this trench.
That's it, only a few bullets left.
On my command you open fire!
Fire!
The enemy followed us quickly. Unfair situatsion made us angry.
First squad, retreat! First squad, retreat!
Where is the third squad superior?
We are the second squad go that way.
Second squad, prepare for retreat!
Second squad, retreat!
Second squad, retreat!
The tanks kept getting closer. Destruction was imminent.
We did everything we could.
And then it happened.
I was lying unconscious on the ground. My ears where ringing.
I saw the splinter in my chest.
Around me everybody was falling. The tanks where mowing our men like hay.
I started to lose consciousness. I thought that this was the end.
But oddly I felt with content.
If you hadn't picked me up, then I would already be on the other side.
I'm eternally grateful to you.
All right men. Let's leave.
See that you bring along the weapons and gear.
From here on out I will pursue the life of a Forrest Brother.
As long as we have a will to live and a weapon in our hands
we will fight to our last breath.
Translation by Meelis Pruks.