Battle of Paju

Battle of Paju
Part of Estonian War of Independence

Battle of Paju. Painting by Maximilian Maksolly
Date31 January 1919
Location57°49′13″N 26°06′42″E / 57.820144°N 26.111628°E / 57.820144; 26.111628 Map
Result Estonian victory
Belligerents

 Estonia

Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic
Soviet Russia
Commanders and leaders
EstoniaFinland Hans Kalm
Estonia Julius Kuperjanov 
Estonia Johannes Soodla
Emīls Vītols
Units involved
Estonia Tartumaa Partisan Battalion
Finland Pohjan Pojat
Red Latvian Riflemen
Strength
Estonia:
300 soldiers
13 machine guns
2 field guns
Finnish volunteers:
380 soldiers
9 machine guns
4 field guns
Total:
683 soldiers
22 machine guns
6 field guns
1,200 soldiers
32 machine guns
4 field guns
1 armoured train
Casualties and losses
156 300 dead

The Battle of Paju (Estonian: Paju lahing) was fought in Paju, near Valga, Estonia, on 31 January 1919 during the Estonian War of Independence. After heavy fighting, the Tartu-Valga group of the Estonian Army pushed the Red Latvian Riflemen out of the Paju Manor.[1] It was the fiercest battle in the early period of war. Estonian commander Julius Kuperjanov fell in the fighting.

  1. ^ Jaan Maide (1933) [www.ksk.edu.ee/file.php?ID=1206 Ülevaade Eesti vabadussõjast] Kaitseliit publishing, Tartu