Battle of Laagna explained

Conflict:Battle of Laagna
Partof:the Estonian War of Independence
Date:18 January 1919
Place:Laagna, Estonia
Result:Decisive Estonian victory
Combatant1: Estonia
Finnish volunteers
Combatant2: Soviet Russia
Commander1: Martin Ekström
Bror Dahlgrén
Aleksander Paulus
Commander2: Unknown
Units1:
  • 3rd Company
  • 4th Company

Meredessantpataljon

  • Narva students group
Units2: 6th Rifle Division
  • 7th Regiment
  • 86th Regiment
Strength1:220 soldiers
Strength2:650 soldiers
2 armoured trains
Casualties1:4 killed
21 wounded
3 captured
Casualties2:unknown

Battle of Laagna (Estonian: Laagna lahing; 18 January 1919) took place in Laagna, Estonia, during the Estonian War of Independence with Estonian mariners and Finnish volunteers against the Red Army.

In the morning the Estonians and Finns took Laagna village with a surprise attack and pushed the Red Army out. Against the Estonian mariners and Finnish volunteers (220 men altogether) were two regiments of Red Army infantry, two armoured trains and some cavalry units. The Soviets repeatedly attacked the Estonian and Finnish positions with armored trains but were unable to capture Laagna and were driven back with heavy losses. The Estonian Marines and Finns lost four troops killed, 21 wounded and three captured.