Country Estonia
Nazi Germany Role Guard | Type Infantry Size Battalion | |
Active December 1941 – June 1944 Engagements World War II
Siege of Leningrad
Battle of Meerapalu | ||
Estnische Schutzmannschafts Abteilung 33 was an Estonian unit of the German Ordnungspolizei in World War II.
It was formed in Tartu and Viljandi during the winter 1941-1942. Battalion had a brass band, but it was taken to the 36th Estonian Police Battalion in 1942. In the January 1942, the battalion was taken to the Leningrad front without training. In the spring of 1942 the battalion was reinforced with 200 men.
In December 1942 the battalion returned to Estonia and it was given holidays in Pärnu. After it the battalion was taken to Tartu, where it was disbanded. Volunteers went to the Estonian Legion, other men were sent to Police Battalion 32, 35 or 287. At the same time a new battalion was formed with the same number. It consisted men from Selbstschutz (former Forest Brothers) companies of Valga, Antsla, Võru and Petseri. Battalion was divided into three companies:
Battalion's size was now 381 men. It was used as a guard under the German 11th Infantry Division. Despite that battalion's role was only guard, it was installed in the January 1944 to the positions near Mehikoorma ashore of Peipsi lake. It participated in February in defeating of Russian landing in Meerapalu region. At June 1944 the battalion was taken to rear and disbanded, the men were sent to battalions 37, 38 and 40.