Battle of Utria

Battle of Utria (Estonian: Utria dessant) took place during the Estonian War of Independence on 17–20 January 1919 at Udria beach.[2] It was amphibious landing of Estonian forces consisting mainly of Finnish volunteers.

Battle of Utria
Part of Estonian War of Independence
Utria
Battle of Utria (Estonia)
Date17–20 January 1919
Location
Udria, Estonia
Result Estonian victory
Belligerents

 Estonia

 Soviet Russia
Commanders and leaders
Johan Pitka
Aleksander Paulus
Martin Ekström		 Nikolai N. Ivanov[1]
Units involved
Estonian Navy
Meredessantpataljon
I Finnish volunteer corps		 6th Rifle Division
Strength
1,900 soldiers
2 destroyers
1 gunboat
1 transport ship		 2,700 soldiers
Casualties and losses
32 killed about 300 killed

Background

Estonian Forces

The naval Taskforce was under the command of Admiral Johan Pitka, he was supported by the Swedish naval officer Martin Ekström and by Captain Aleksander Paulus and Captain Anto Nestori Eskola. The invasion force consisted of roughly 1,900 soldiers under the command of Colonel Martin Ekström.

Soviet Forces

Elements of the 6th Rifle Division defending the area were under the command of Nikolai Ivanov. In total the Soviets were able to muster a force of 2,700 men to defend the area from the Estonian military.

Aftermath

The successful landing undertaken by the Estonian military, enabled Estonian units to liberate the border town of Narva on the 19th January 1919.

References
  1. 6-я Орловско-Хинганская дважды Краснознаменная стрелковая дивизия Rkka.ru
  2. Jyri Kork (Ed.), Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920, Esto, Baltimore, 1988 (Reprint from Estonian War of Independence 1918–1920. Historical Committee for the War of Independence, Tallinn, 1938)

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