The ‘Liberator’ Arrived

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The exhibition has been compiled by the Estonian Institute of Historical Memoryin cooperation with the National Library of Estonia.

ENTER

THE ‘LIBERATOR’ ARRIVED...

History exhibition about the contradictions between propaganda glorifying the Red Army as the Liberator and real life in Estonia during 1944-1945.

Thus spoke U.S. diplomat George Kennan when describing Soviet army’s advancement in 1944 and 1945 in Eastern Europe.

‘The disaster that befell this area with the entry of the Soviet forces has no parallel in modern European experience. There were considerable sections of it where, to judge by all existing evidence, scarcely a man, woman or child of the indigenous population was left alive after the initial passage of Soviet forces ... The Russians ... swept the native population clean in a manner that had no parallel since the day of the Asiatic hordes.’

Time of publication: 1940

In the USSR and especially in the Red Army, hatred towards the German occupiers was cultivated during the whole course of the war. No method was deemed inappropriate against the enemy. In 1944–1945, numerous Eastern European civilians fell victim to this wrath.

Neither Germany nor the USSR recognised the Hague Convention on the Laws and Customs of War on Land in mutual war. Consequently, civilians in the eastern front were not protected by any binding international agreement between the opposing sides. Millions fell victim to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes that stemmed from the regimes’ ideology or escalation of violence.

Eastern Europe had been liberated from the German occupation. One dictatorship replaced another for nearly half a century. Back then, considerable amount of public space was filled with pervasive propaganda, which emphasised the major role of “Red Army Liberators” in defeating Nazism.

A wave of lootings, robberies, murders and rapes by the Red Army mainly hit German areas. However, other ‘liberated’ regions were not left untouched either. The distinction between the enemy and ‘one’s own’ was quite vague. The violence and looting also hit areas, annexed in 1939–1940, the USSR considered its ‘own’, including Estonia.

Time of publication: 1941

reality

and

The propaganda

This exhibition reflects the controversy between the propaganda and reality, by using propaganda posters in parallel with on-the-ground reports, such as statements, complaints and letters by the Estonian SSR’s party, executive and local authorities, as well as summaries by Soviet security institutions on manifestations of banditry from 1944 and 1945 (preserved in Estonian National Archives).

...were usually at odds.

This exhibition reflects the controversy between the propaganda and reality, by using propaganda posters in parallel with on-the-ground reports, such as statements, complaints and letters by the Estonian SSR’s party, executive and local authorities, as well as summaries by Soviet security institutions on manifestations of banditry from 1944 and 1945 (preserved in Estonian National Archives).

reality

and

The propaganda

...were usually at odds.

AN OATH TO BE dignified AND honest

‘Oath of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army’

Time of publication: 1941

AN OATH TO BE DIGNIFIED AND HONEST

‘Oath of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army’

Time of publication: 1941

7 October 1944

‘Some members of the Red Army feel as if they’re on enemy territory. People are under the impression that the Soviet administration is indifferent towards the disorder.’

Report by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Soviet of Workers’ Deputies of (county government) Virumaa County M.Lepik to the Chairman of the ESSR Council of People’s Commissars (ESSR government) Arnold Veimer

DISARRAY

7 October 1944

‘Some members of the Red Army feel as if they’re on enemy territory. People are under the impression that the Soviet administration is indifferent towards the disorder.’

Report by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Soviet of Workers’ Deputies of (county government) Virumaa County M.Lepik to the Chairman of the ESSR Council of People’s Commissars (ESSR government) Arnold Veimer

DISARRAY

PEACE TO ALL PEOPLE

‘We fought for peoples’ peace – we shall protect it too!’

Artist: Nikolai Žukov Time of publication: 1950

10 January 1945

‘An old man who went to stop the soldiers was nearly beaten to death by the perpetrators.’

Report by the Chairman of Saaremaa County Government to ESSR government (excerpts)

VIOLENCE

10 January 1945

‘An old man who went to stop the soldiers was nearly beaten to death by the perpetrators.’

Report by the Chairman of Saaremaa County Government to ESSR government (excerpts)

VIOLENCE

Artist: Evald Okas Time of publication: 1945

SECURE FUTURE

‘The future of the Estonian people is secured in the fraternal Soviet Union peoples’ family’

autumn 1944

‘The farmer, who followed the thieves, was later killed by the latter near Roobu farm.’

Excerpts from the operative summary of the ESSR NKVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs) Anti-Bandit Combat Department, from October and November 1944

MANSLAUGHTER

autumn 1944

‘The farmer, who followed the thieves, was later killed by the latter near Roobu farm.’

Excerpts from the operative summary of the ESSR NKVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs) Anti-Bandit Combat Department, from October and November 1944

MANSLAUGHTER

Artist: Evald Okas; Time of publication: 1944

Yugoslavian communist Milovan Đilas recalled the words of Stalin: ‘Can't he understand it if a soldier who has crossed thousands of kilometres through blood and fire and death has fun with a woman or takes some trifle?’

Violence against civilians amid invasions is as old as war itself. In the Second World War, both Germany and the USSR deliberately implemented violence contrary to international law. This was enhanced by the Red Army’s combat tactic that had utter disregard for human lives. A soldier wanted to make the most of each day, as any day might have been the last.

16 April 1945

‘Then, while threatening with a gun, all three, one after one, raped citizen L.J, and left.’

Report by the ESSR NKVD Deputy People’s Commissar Arved Kalvo, to the ESSR government (excerpt)

RAPE

16 April 1945

‘Then, while threatening with a gun, all three, one after one, raped citizen L.J, and left.’

Report by the ESSR NKVD Deputy People’s Commissar Arved Kalvo, to the ESSR government (excerpt)

RAPE

PROTECTED FORTUNE

‘The Soviet Army protects our fortune!’

Artists: Aleksei Viilup, Felix Valdvere Editor: Raivo Tungla; Time of publication: 1950

November 1944

‘The intruders conducted a house-search and demanded wine and milk to be handed in...’

Overview of ESSR NKVD Anti-Bandit Combat Department’s activities (excerpts)

ROBBERY

November 1944

‘The intruders conducted a house-search and demanded wine and milk to be handed in...’

Overview of ESSR NKVD Anti-Bandit Combat Department’s activities (excerpts)

ROBBERY

NOW THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER...

‘Before and now’

Artist: Romulus Tiitus, Writer: Mart Raud; Time of publication: 1948

NOW THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER...

‘Before and now’

Artist: Romulus Tiitus, Writer: Mart Raud; Time of publication: 1948

22 March 1945

‘Dirt and trash is everywhere – inside the rooms and around the houses, especially in the sheds where there’s no place to set foot anymore.’

Report by the Tori parish Municipal Government’s Chairman Sergei Hapayev to the Pärnu County Government’s Chairman

RANSACKING

22 March 1945

‘Dirt and trash is everywhere – inside the rooms and around the houses, especially in the sheds where there’s no place to set foot anymore.’

Report by the Tori parish Municipal Government’s Chairman Sergei Hapayev to the Pärnu County Government’s Chairman

RANSACKING

Terrorising the civilians had become a behavioural pattern. The Red Army did not consider looting a crime or even deplorable behaviour. It was fuelled by hostility towards the enemy and a certain understanding of justified spoils of war. Looting and ransacking often occurred by orders of the officers or under their knowledge. Generals and marshals as high as even Georgy Zhukov himself did not shy away from an opportunity to gather personal spoils of war. They had far better opportunities to do so, compared to a common soldier who carried out armed robberies to obtain civilians’ watches and chicken eggs. The military command’s attempts to fight against the depredation proved futile. The Red Army soldiers, acting on a dog-eat-dog principle, were usually left unpunished. Discipline was not tightened until long after the end of the war.

5 November 1944

‘Sometimes, officers and unit commanders allowed such activities to occur.’

ESSR NKVD Anti-Bandit Combat Department’s statement on cases of banditry and looting (excerpt)

RED ARMY MARAUDERS

‘Sometimes, officers and unit commanders allowed such activities to occur.’

RED ARMY MARAUDERS

5 November 1944

ESSR NKVD Anti-Bandit Combat Department’s statement on cases of banditry and looting (excerpt)

CIVIL RIGHTS

‘Soviet citizens’ rights are granted with the Great Stalinist Constitution’

Artist: Lev Samoilov Time of publication: 1945

CIVIL RIGHTS

‘Soviet citizens’ rights are granted with the Great Stalinist Constitution’

Artist: Lev Samoilov Time of publication: 1945

30 August 1945

‘The soldiers bathe in the [Ülemiste] lake by entire units, water their horses and take them into the lake, knock out fish with grenades, do their laundry and pollute the water in all manner of ways.’

ESSR government’s Deputy Chairman Arnold Kress’s letter to the Commander of the 10th Guards Army Colonel General Mihhail Kazakov

POLLUTION

30 August 1945

‘The soldiers bathe in the [Ülemiste] lake by entire units, water their horses and take them into the lake, knock out fish with grenades, do their laundry and pollute the water in all manner of ways.’

ESSR government’s Deputy Chairman Arnold Kress’s letter to the Commander of the 10th Guards Army Colonel General Mihhail Kazakov

POLLUTION

‘Old Tallinn is once again free!’

Evald Okas. Vana Tallinn on jälle vaba! 1944. Eesti Kunstimuuseum

LIBERATED TALLINN

January 1945

‘Every single installed post is sawn down and burnt as firewood.’

Report by Chairman of Keila parish government H.Rallmann to the Chairman of the ESSR government, regarding incidents between 13–19 January (excerpts)

LOOTING

January 1945

‘Every single installed post is sawn down and burnt as firewood.’

Report by Chairman of Keila parish government H.Rallmann to the Chairman of the ESSR government, regarding incidents between 13–19 January (excerpts)

LOOTING

Artists: Solomon Boim, Juri Neprintsev Time of publication: 1945

Red Army’s arrival in 1944 was not greeted with flowers and song anywhere in Estonia, with the exception of performances held by propaganda agencies. People knew that a new occupying regime had arrived. For the reinstated Communist Party and other institutions of the Soviet regime, problems doubled due to Red Army soldiers’ and officers’ unlawfulness. They had to put a stop to the lootings and violence while explaining to the people that a ‘liberator’ had arrived. The local party and Soviet institutions and state security departments reported soon enough of people making comparisons between the activities of the ‘liberator’ and the defeated Germans. Estonians concluded that they had jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

5 October 1945

M. Tender’s statement to the Chairman of the ESSR government Arnold Veimer

EVICTION

5 October 1945

M. Tender’s statement to the Chairman of the ESSR government Arnold Veimer

EVICTION

SENSE OF SECURITY

‘The Soviet Army protects our fortune!’

Artist: Viktor Koretski Time of publication: 1949

Propagandists and agitators complained about the difficulty of explaining to Red Army soldiers and officers that Estonia is not a hostile territory, but a Soviet Republic liberated from German occupation. ESSR communists’ reports and letters, some of which reached Moscow, described a wave of (war)crimes that accompanied Red Army’s advancement in great detail, including murders, rapes, robberies, thefts, drunken disturbances, disorder etc. Civilians as well as public buildings fell victim to daily violence, looting, misappropriation and property damage. Lack of discipline in the Red Army was not the sole cause of said incidents. Unruliness was widespread among military units and –institutions. They often acted by orders of their superiors or under their knowledge. Inhabitants and institutions were evicted from apartments in order to house officers or to make room for Red Army agencies. Illegal duties to provide conveyance were imposed on owners of carriages and vehicles. Fish poaching (also by means of explosives) and devastation of forests and parks etc. was widespread.

2 October 1944

‘...they disassembled and tore up all the books.’

Explanatary Note by Elmar Uuet, the Secretary of Kõue rural municipality

LOOTING OF MUNICIPAL OFFICES

2 October 1944

‘...they disassembled and tore up all the books.’

Explanatary Note by Elmar Uuet, the Secretary of Kõue rural municipality

LOOTING OF MUNICIPAL OFFICES

5 April 1945

Report by the ESSR Ministry of Timber and Wood Processing Industry to the Chairman of the ESSR government Arnold Veimer and to the leader of the ESSR Communist Party Nikolai Karotamm (excerpt)

TIMBER THEFT

5 April 1945

Report by the ESSR Ministry of Timber and Wood Processing Industry to the Chairman of the ESSR government Arnold Veimer and to the leader of the ESSR Communist Party Nikolai Karotamm (excerpt)

TIMBER THEFT

Time of publication: 1946

‘Long live our powerful Red Army!’

LONG LIVE THE RED ARMY

14 April 1945

‘...in the estuary, lots of dead fish can be seen on the water surface, floating towards the sea.’

Report by Fishery Inspector K.Tafel to the Main Directorate of the Fishing Industry

FISH POACHING

14 April 1945

‘...in the estuary, lots of dead fish can be seen on the water surface, floating towards the sea.’

Report by Fishery Inspector K.Tafel to the Main Directorate of the Fishing Industry

FISH POACHING

The correspondence between local and military authorities demonstrates an utter incapability of putting a stop to the looting – the former lacked the power and the latter were unwilling to end it. It is known that the culprits of only a small number of cases were punished. The troops usually justified the activities of their subordinates or claimed that local ‘bandits’ were behind the pillaging.

6 September 1945

‘...how can it be that I’m on trial because of an Estonian?’

Statement by Nikolai Karotamm, the 1st Secretary of the Central Committee of the Estonian branch of the Communist (Bolshevist) Party of the USSR, at the meeting of the Bureau of the Central Committee (excerpt)

IMPUNITY

6 September 1945

‘...how can it be that I’m on trial because of an Estonian?’

Statement by Nikolai Karotamm, the 1st Secretary of the Central Committee of the Estonian branch of the Communist (Bolshevist) Party of the USSR, at the meeting of the Bureau of the Central Committee (excerpt)

IMPUNITY

17 July 1945

‘… some affected locals do not wish to inform the officials of said incidents out of a fear of the soldiers’ revenge.’

Letter from writer Aadu Hint, Member of the Supreme Soviet of the ESSR, to the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the ESSR Johannes Vares, to the Party Leader of the ESSR Nikolai Karotamm, to Chairman of the ESSR government Arnold Veimer and to the rector of Tartu State University Alfred Koort (excerpts)

FEAR OF REVENGE

17 July 1945

‘… some affected locals do not wish to inform the officials of said incidents out of a fear of the soldiers’ revenge.’

Letter from writer Aadu Hint, Member of the Supreme Soviet of the ESSR, to the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the ESSR Johannes Vares, to the Party Leader of the ESSR Nikolai Karotamm, to Chairman of the ESSR government Arnold Veimer and to the rector of Tartu State University Alfred Koort (excerpts)

FEAR OF REVENGE

It was clear that complaints to the local party and Soviet institutions were inconsequential, as they had no real power. Acts of violence by Soviet soldiers and lawlessness of military units continued to a greater or lesser extent until the restoration of Estonia's independence in the beginning of 1990s.

The correspondence indicates that an insignificant portion of looting and violence by the Red Army went on record, especially (but not only) in the autumn and winter of 1944. Most of the victims saw no point in protesting, or there was no one to complain to, or they were simply scared. The Red Army robbers and looters were armed and their superiors either denied the incidents or threatened victims who complained.

To the beginning

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Estonian Institute of Historical Memory Foundation Tõnismägi 8, 10119, Tallinn info@mnemosyne.ee

THE ‘LIBERATOR’ ARRIVED

Posters: Art Museum of Estonia, National Library of Estonia, Tartu Art Museum

Design: Anni Vakkum, Franka Vakkum

Translations: Elmar Gams, Marju Meschin

Editors: Toomas Hiio, Meelis Maripuu, Eli Pilve

Drawings: Karl-Erik Talvet

Curator: Peeter Kaasik