Battle of Narva (1918)

The Battle of Narva (Estonian: Narva lahing) took place on November 28, 1918, in the city of Narva and Jaanilinn (now Ivangorod) between troops from the Provisional Government of Estonia and the Russian Red Army. The battle is considered the beginning of the Estonian Independence War. The Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 405 of the German Imperial Army was also involved against the Red Army.[1]

For other Battles of Narva, see Battle of Narva.
Battle of Narva
Part of the Estonian Independence War and the Soviet westward offensive of 1918-1919

A painting of German-Estonian troops standoff against Russian troops during the Battle of Joala.
DateNovember 28, 1918
Location
Narva, Estonia
Result Soviet Victory
Narva Isthmus (Now Ida-Viru County) captured by Red Army
The Commune of the Working People of Estonia Established
Belligerents

 Estonia

German Empire German Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 405		  Soviet Russia

Background
Main articles: German occupation of Estonia during World War I and Estonian Declaration of Independence
The celebration of the Estonian Declaration of Independence on February 23, 1918, in Pärnu

In October 1917, the German Imperial Army occupied the West Estonian archipelago, and in 1918, most of mainland Estonia was occupied.

On February 24, 1918, the Salvation Committee of the Estonian Provincial Assembly declared the independence of Estonia.[2]

After the formal end of the First World War in November 1918, the German Imperial Army which occupied Estonia was withdrawing from Estonia and other occupied territories. The Russian Bolshevik troops invaded the newly formed country of Estonia in Narva.[3]

The Battle of Narva marked the beginning of the Estonian Independence War.

Bolshevik troops advanced across the Narva River on November 22, but were repelled by German troops.[4][5] The Battle of Narva was part of the Soviet westward offensive of 1918-1919.

The Battle

On November 22, Bolshevik forces unsuccessfully attempted to capture Narva. On November 25, Finland agreed to provide weapons and ammunition to Estonia.[6] On November 28, Bolshevik forces were ordered to advance into Narva from Kingisepp.[4][7]

Battle of Keldrimäe

The first clashes began near the town of Jaanilinn (now Ivangorod) on November 28, between around 900 German troops and 2,800 Red Army soldiers. Bridges on the Narva River were destroyed by the Germans.[5]

Battle of Joala
A monument which reads "The Battle of Joala was fought here on Nov. 28, 1918."

The Battle of Joala took place in Joala, Narva, when Bolshevik troops crossed the Narva River and attacked German artillery batteries. The Bolsheviks had the goal of destroying railway and telegraph communication. Estonian and German troops defended Narva until the Bolshevik forces were repelled. Jaan Sihver was killed in the battle.[8] Red Army troops made preparations to cross the Narva river in boats. Germans and Estonians made successful efforts to repel the Red Army troops.[9][10]

Capture of Narva

A detachment of 500 Bolshevik soldiers were deployed from the Bolshevik cruiser Oleg and other Bolshevik destroyers in Narva-Jõesuu. German troops retreated west, and, fearing encirclement, Estonian troops retreated west. German troops destroyed a railway which lead into Narva.[4][9] The Red Army captured Narva and Jaanilinn later on November 28 and 29, 1918.[6]

Outcome
Map of troop movement in the Baltics and North Western Russia in December 1918

The Red Army captured Narva and Jaanilinn on November 28 and 29, 1918, starting the Estonian War of Independence.[6] Bolsheviks established the Commune of the Working People of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti Töörahva Kommuuna) on November 29, 1918, in Bolshevik-occupied territories in Estonia.[11] The Red Army continued to advance towards Tallinn in December 1918. Germans withdrew from Estonia[8]

References
  1. "Ilmar Raag | Reaalsus meie venelastest". www.ohtuleht.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  2. Arjakas, Küllo (February 26, 2008). "23. ja 24. veebruar 1918: kuidas iseseisvust kuulutati". Postimees. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008.
  3. Buttar, Prit (2013). Between giants : the battle for the Baltics in World War II. Oxford, UK. ISBN 978-1-78096-163-7. OCLC 809029618.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. "НАРВСКИЙ ФРОНТ В ЭСТОНСКОЙ ОСВОБОДИТЕЛЬНОЙ ВОЙНЕ 1918—1920". riigi.arhiiv.ee (in Russian and Estonian). Archived from the original on June 6, 2014.
  5. "Ajalugu kordub Narva sõjaväljadel". Estonian World Review (in Estonian). Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  6. "7. Russia/Estonia (1905-1920)". uca.edu. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  7. Leets, Georg (1933). Kuidas algas Vabadussõda 15 aasta eest: Narva lahing 28. novembril 1918. Narva: Põhja Eesti.
  8. Maide, Jaan (1933). Ülevaade Eesti Vabadussõjast (1918-1920) (PDF) (in Estonian). Kaitseliidu kirjastus.
  9. Lõhmus, Leho (2015). Eesti sõjaajaloo aastaraamat. Vol. 5.
  10. Laidre, Sirje; Ots, Heido; et al. (Vabadussõja Ajaloo Komitee) (1996–1997). Eesti vabadussõda, 1918-1920 (3. trükk ed.). Tallinn: Mats. ISBN 9985-51-028-3. OCLC 37917518.
  11. Arjakas, Küllo; Laur, Mati; Lukas, Tõnis; Mäesalu, Ain (1991). Eesti ajalugu. Tallinn: Koolibri. p. 261.

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