We Were Estonian Soldiers: World War II exploits of classmates from the Estonian Military Technical Academy - Softcover

Carl Orav

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0984644024 ISBN 13: 9780984644025

Publisher: Lakeshore Press, 2011

Synopsis

These are the stories of five Estonian officers who were classmates at the Estonian Military Technical Academy during the years of 1936 thru 1940. Their detailed memoirs start with the Soviet occupation of Estonia and the outbreak of World War II. All were commissioned 2nd lieutenants upon graduation from the Academy in 1940 and then were immediately incorporated into the Soviet Red Army. When Germany attacked the USSR, all five deserted and fought alongside the Germans on the Eastern Front with the sole purpose of keeping the Soviets out of Estonia. Fate allowed all of them to escape to the West, and Carl Orav, the son of one of the Estonian officers, has translated and edited their stories.

About this title

About the Author

Carl Orav was born in Tallinn, Estonia in 1943. To avoid Soviet persecution, his family fled to Germany in 1944. After the war ended the family lived in various displaced person camps in Germany until 1950. That was followed by six wonderful childhood years in Sweden. The family immigrated to the USA in 1956. Carl attended high school in Cleveland, Ohio and changed his name from the original Kaarel to Carl upon receiving his American citizenship. He graduated from Cleveland State University in 1967 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Carl s career spanned 35 years as an aerospace engineer. He designed components of the Atlas/Centaur space launch vehicles, Space Shuttle Orbiter, Boeing 767, and Tomahawk Cruise Missile. He spent 27 years in San Diego working for General Dynamics and eight years in Denver working for Lockheed-Martin. Carl retired in 2002 as an engineering manager. Now he divides his time between summers in Estonia and winters in Florida. Carl is an avid golfer and has won many Estonian golf tournaments. He is actively involved in the stock market. He has a son Mike from his first marriage. He has been married to his second wife Karin for 21 years. She is a native Estonian and has helped him preserve his Estonian heritage.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lakeshore Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0984644024
• ISBN 13: 9780984644025
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 280