Battle of Utria

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Battle of Utria
Part of Estonian War of Independence
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap Utria Battle of Utria (Estonia)
Date 17–20 January 1919 Location Udria, Estonia 59°24′N 27°55′E / 59.4°N 27.92°E / 59.4; 27.92Coordinates: 59°24′N 27°55′E / 59.4°N 27.92°E / 59.4; 27.92 Result Estonian victory
Belligerents
Estonia Finnish volunteers	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

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.

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 19 January 1919.

References[]