Date of birth:

March 27th, 1913 (Surdago, County of Dorpat/Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire (Estonia))

Date of death:

May 10th, 1945 (Nimburg Krs. Neuenburg/Bohemia, Germany (Czechoslovakia))

Service number:

SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:

Nationality:

Estonian

born Paul Mathiesen
The fate of Paul Maitla was uncertain for number of decades, until some information was discovered in 2005 in the city archives of the Czech town of Nymburk. These archives show that Maitla was arrested on May 9, 1945 and murdered together with 4 other Estonian soldiers on May 10 (on the first day of peace after World War II had ended) by Czech communists.

Career:
00.00.1938: Unterleutnant, Estonian Army
00.00.1939-00.00.1940: instructor, Dorpat
00.00.1940: escaped when forced to join the Soviet Army after the occupation of his country
16.07.1941-07.11.1941: interned in German camps in Dünaburg, Ebenrode and Stablack
18.11.1941: released and joined the Estnisches-Polizei-Bataillon 37, Luftwaffe, Pihkva
00.09.1942: promoted to Oberleutnant
00.10.1942: joined the Estnische SS-Legion, Pihkva
00.00.1942-00.00.1943: SS-Junker, SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz
00.04.1943: Waffen-Ostuf, Führer, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS Nr. 45, Estnische SS-Brigade, Heidelager
00.01.1944-00.02.1944: ill evacuated to a Lazarett in Tartu
00.03.1944: promoted to Waffen-Hauptsturmführer
00.04.1944: Waffen-Hstuf, Führer, I. Bataillon, Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS Nr. 45, 20. Estnische SS-Division
24.07.1944: severe fightings against the Soviet forces
29.07.1944: sevre fightings in the Blue Mountains
00.00.1944: severely WIA near Tartu and evacuated to a Lazarett in Tartu then in Reval
00.12.1944: in a Lazarett in Bregenz
00.01.1945: Waffen-Hstuf, Führer, Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS Nr. 45, 20. Estnische SS-Division - fightings near Oppeln
20.04.1945: promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie, I. Bataillon, Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS Nr. 45

Awarded on:

December 8th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 3rd, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Führer, I. Bataillon, Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS Nr. 45 (estn. Nr. 1)

Awarded on:

April 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Waffen-Hauptsturmführer

Unit:

Führer, I. Bataillon, Waffen-Grenadier-Regiment der SS Nr. 45 (estn. Nr. 1)

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1944

Maitla’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“After three days of drumfire the enemy commenced their attack against the friendly positions in the Narwa gap on the 28.07.1944. Having smashed up the frontline with the fury of their artillery, they succeeded in capturing a decisive hill that was vital for the continuation of the defense.

A few hours later Maitla and his Bataillon (the I./SS-Gren.Rgt. 45) were brought up. They were sent into a counterattack against the far materially superior enemy with the mission of taking back this important hill. In an energetic attack that saw no restraint, the Bataillon stormed this important hill under the exemplary leadership of its commander, and it continued to pursue the fleeing enemy beyond it. As a result of this success by the Bataillon and its brave commander it has been possible for the Tannenberg line to be held up to the present day, with a breakthrough of the enemy being prevented.

The award of the Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross for Hauptsturmführer Maitla is as such especially justified. Even though he does not carry the Iron Cross First Class the result he achieved is too outstanding to be ignored, and for the immense bravery he showed during this battle he should also be awarded the Iron Cross First Class.”

The Divisional commander added a few words of his own to this recommendation…

“The award of the Knight’s Cross along with the Iron Cross First Class is approved by me.

The personal courage of SS-Hauptsturmführer Maitla during this counterattack at Orphanage Hill (south of the Narva—Reval road) was vital for the holding of the Tannenberg Line. Furthermore his independent decision to pursue the fleeing enemy gave Kampfgruppe Krügel (which had been heavily weakened by the enemy attack) time to reorganize itself for defense.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Igor Poul
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - Axis Biographical Research
  - Microfilm Publication A3343. US National Archives.