Estonian Swedes attempting to escape Soviet occupation, late 1944

Estonian Swedes (Swedish speaking minority residing in the coastal areas of Estonia) trying to flee Soviet occupation in late 1944.

Estonia had a very rough deal in World War II. Despite declaring neutrality, the country was occupied by the Soviet Union between 1940 and 1941, by Germany between 1941 and 1944, and again by the Soviet Union between 1944 and 1991.

With over 80.000 casualties, Estonia had one of the highest percentages of losses in World War II.

The United States and the United Kingdom chose to recognize Soviet occupation of Estonia after the war as a normal state of affairs (decided at the Yalta Conference in 1945), although the rest of the Western Powers supported Estonian independence.

Book suggestion ⤵️

📖 War in the Woods: Estonia’s Struggle for Survival, 1944-1956 (Mart Laar, 1992)