The beginning of displacement

Estonians began leaving for the west at the start of the Second World War in 1939 and continued until the autumn of 1944, when the Soviet Union re-occupied Estonia. There are unconfirmed reports that some Estonians were able to flee in early 1945 as well. Fear of Soviet power and falling victim to repression were the main reasons for heading west. In addition to fleeing the Soviet occupation, other reasons for leaving were evacuation, recruitment of manpower, army recruitment, fleeing army recruitment, army mobilisation; and some were recruited to the police force, and withdrawn together with the army and wounded while transported to Germany.

From summer to autumn 1944, the great escape from Estonia happened mainly by cruise ship via the Port of Tallinn or along the north and western shoreline, as well as from the islands on boats. To a lesser extent, some headed west with planes and trains or by land with cars, bicycles, or horse drawn carriages. Attempts were also made on foot. Throughout the period of the war, close to 75,000 people fled to the west, and by the end of the war at least 40,000 of them were in Germany and more than 28,000 were in Sweden. During the first few months, 6–9% of those that fled Estonia died en route west.

Number of Estonians in the territories of Germany 1944/45:

Coastal Region 5500
Berlin and Brandenburg 8000
Posen and Silesia 7500
Central Germany 5500
West Germany 1500
Southern Germany 5500
Czech areas 4000
Austria 2000
A scheme showing departure of residents from Estonia in 1940–1944.
ERA.5010.1.50, page 2 (digitized, www.ra.ee/saaga)
A letter by Karl Robert Pusta to August Torma on July 17, 1944, there Mr. Pusta predicts a long-term service for the Estonian agencies in exile as well as a need to prepare youth for this work.
ERA.1622.2.78, page 147 (digitized, www.ra.ee/saaga)
A scheme showing movements of Estonians in Germany, Austria and Czech areas from January to May in 1945.
F. Kool. DP Kroonika. Eesti Arhiiv Ühendriikides, 1999, page 9.

The beginning of displacement

DP camps in Germany

Repatriation

Screening

Soldiers in Germany

Care for refugees

Children in DP camps

Culture and sport activities

Education

The Church

Archives

Organization Red Cross in Germany

Youth organizations

Public holidays

The Statehood representatives – envoys in DP camps

Unity of the Baltic States

The resettlement of refugees

Audiovisual Chronicle