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Lihula is a small town in Estonia in the cemetery of which a monument depicting an Estonian soldier in a World War II German uniform, resembling Heer-uniform, was unveiled on August 20, 2004, with a dedication as follows: To Estonian men who fought in 1940-1945 against Bolshevism and for the restoration of Estonian independence.
Controversy
As the dedication included those who fought in the Wehrmacht against Bolshevism, as written in the dedication, it received international condemnation, especially from Jews and the organizations supporting Jews. However, it is maintained by those who support the monument that the Estonians in the German Army, including Waffen SS units, had fought for their fatherland and had not been involved in war crimes.
Removal of the monument
In 2004, the international organizations strongly protested against this monument and demanded that it be taken down. The Estonian Government, bending under pressure from the EU and the U.S.A. ordered the monument to be removed.
The crane which was to have removed the monument from Lihula could not enter the cemetery because of a crowd of protesting people. The Security Police were called in, but as they arrived, local people started to throw stones at them and the driver of the crane. After a fight between the crowd and the police, the people were driven back, and some police were transported to hospital because of superficial wounds.
The monument was removed and subsequently restored in Lagedi near Tallinn, on the ground belonging to the Museum of Fight for Estonia's Freedom.
External links
- Looking for the truth behind Lihula
- Template:Et icon Muuseumisse pandud ajalugu
- Template:Et icon Lihula Samba Lugu (in Estonian)
References
- Tiit Madisson: "The Lesson of Lihula" (originally written in Estonian with the title "Lihula õppetund", 2005)
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