Paul Maitla

Paul Maitla
Paul Maitla in 1944
Nickname(s)	"Kugelblitz" ("Ball Lightning")
Born	(1913-03-27)March 27, 1913 Kärkna, Tartu County, Estonia
Died	May 10, 1945(1945-05-10) (aged 32) Nymburk, Czechoslovakia
Allegiance	Estonia  Soviet Union Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Estonian Army (1938–1940) Red Army (1940-1941) Wehrmacht (1941-1943) Waffen-SS (1943–1945)
Years of service	1938–1945
Rank	Sturmbannführer
Unit	1938, 3rd Infantry battalion, Estonian Army 1939, Estonian state defence instructor 1940, 171st Infantry Battalion, Red Army 1941, 37th Police Battalion, Wehrmacht 1943, Estonian Legion 1944, 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian)
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Narva (1944)Battle of Tannenberg Line Battle of Oppeln
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Paul Maitla (born Paul Mathiesen; March 27, 1913 – May 10, 1945) was a commander in both the Estonian and German militaries. He is one of the four Estonian soldiers who received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. He received his award for leading the recapture of the central hill of the Sinimäed during the Battle of Tannenberg Line, effectively breaking the Soviet offensive in that sector.

Paul was the youngest of three children of the family. His brother died in the Estonian War of Independence, 8 years older sister had died in Estonia a few years after World War II. Paul Maitla attended elementary school in Sipe from 1921, Tartu Kommertsgümnaasium from 1927, graduating from the Poeglaste secondary school in 1934. After graduation he changed his name to Maitla.

In September 1934 Maitla entered the Estonian Military School and specialised in pioneering. Maitla then entered officer training in 1937, graduating in August 1938. He was then assigned to the 3rd Infantry battalion in Valga. On Independence Day, 1939, he was commissioned by the President of Estonia to the rank of lieutenant. During 1939 and 1940 he was the State defence instructor in the secondary schools of Tartu.

After the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940, Maitla was drafted into the Red Army, where he served until he was captured by the Germans in July 1941. Maitla was then interned by the Germans until November 1941, when he was released and joined the 37th Police Battalion, and tasked with guarding German airfields.

In the autumn of 1942. Maitla was promoted to lieutenant. In October, he joined the Estonian Legion. He and 113 men were sent to Poland for training. From there, he was sent to Bad Tolz for additional officer training. Maitla returned from training in 1943 and was promoted to commander of the 3rd Company of the 1st Battalion of the 45th Regiment. In April 1943, the Estonian Waffen SS brigade participated in the battles in Nevel, and he received the Iron Cross II class on 8 December for bravery.