World War II: The Narva Offensive begins.

This detailed account serves as a sub-article, providing an in-depth look into a crucial phase of the larger Battle of Narva (1944). The Narva Offensive, fought between February 15 and February 28, 1944, represented a fierce clash on the Eastern Front of World War II. This significant campaign pitted the Soviet Leningrad Front against the German Army Detachment "Narwa" for control over the strategically vital Narva Isthmus.

Following the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad, the Soviet command aimed to capitalize on their momentum, pushing westward into the Baltic states. The German forces, though numerically inferior, were tasked with holding this critical defensive line at all costs.

The Strategic Imperative: Why Narva Mattered

The Narva Isthmus was far more than just a geographical choke point; its control was paramount for both belligerents. For the Soviet Union, capturing Narva was a key step in their broader offensive strategy after the successful breaking of the Siege of Leningrad. Control of Narva would open the path into Estonia, offering multiple strategic advantages:

For the German Army Detachment "Narwa," holding the Isthmus was equally critical. It served as the northern anchor of their defensive lines on the Eastern Front, protecting Army Group North's flank and maintaining access to vital resources in the region, while also preventing a direct Soviet naval threat in the Baltic Sea.

Initial Soviet Push and Missed Opportunities

The offensive commenced with the Soviet 2nd Shock Army making significant headway. They successfully expanded a bridgehead within the challenging terrain of the Krivasoo swamp, located south of Narva. This tactical success led to the temporary severance of the railway line that supplied the German "Sponheimer Group," an ad hoc army detachment commanded by Lieutenant General Otto Sponheimer, which was a vital logistical artery for the German defenders. This interruption severely hampered German resupply and reinforcement efforts in the immediate area.

Despite this promising initial breakthrough and the numerical superiority of the Soviet forces, Army General Leonid Govorov, commander of the Leningrad Front, was unable to fully exploit the precarious situation of the smaller German army group. The opportunity to encircle and potentially destroy the "Sponheimer Group" slipped away. This failure can be attributed to several factors, including the challenging swampy terrain, the ferocity of German resistance, and logistical difficulties in bringing up sufficient follow-on forces and supplies through the difficult ground to consolidate the breakthrough and execute a rapid encirclement.

German Reinforcements and Estonian Resolve

Faced with the imminent threat of encirclement and a sustained Soviet offensive, the German Army Detachment "Narwa" urgently called for reinforcements. A significant portion of these crucial fresh troops came from newly mobilised Estonian volunteers. Motivated by a deep-seated desire to resist the looming Soviet re-occupation of their homeland, these Estonians joined the fight with fierce determination. The Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940 and the subsequent mass deportations and repressions had left an indelible mark, fueling a powerful anti-Soviet sentiment among the population. Many Estonians viewed the conflict, despite their alliance with Nazi Germany, as a desperate struggle for national survival and the restoration of their country's independence, which had been lost in 1940.

This mobilisation led to the formation of new Estonian units, including what would become the 1st and 2nd Estonian Regiments (later designated the 45th and 46th SS Waffen Grenadier Regiments), which would play a pivotal role in the subsequent defensive battles.

Ferocious Battles and the Halting of the Offensive

As the Soviet operation continued, the fighting escalated into a series of extraordinarily brutal and costly engagements. The Soviet 30th Guards Rifle Corps and the 124th Rifle Corps, spearheading the renewed Soviet drive, encountered a formidable and unyielding defense. They were met by the veteran units of the German III (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps, which included a diverse array of volunteers from various European nations alongside German elements. These forces, despite being outnumbered, fought with remarkable tenacity, often in close-quarters combat amidst the difficult terrain.

The sheer ferocity of these defensive battles, coupled with the cumulative exhaustion of the Soviet troops and the logistical strain on their supply lines, began to wear down the attacking Soviet formations. After nearly two weeks of relentless fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, the Soviet Narva offensive was ultimately halted on February 20, 1944. The German lines held, albeit at a high cost, preventing a decisive Soviet breakthrough.

A Symbolic Counter-attack: Estonian Independence Day

Just a few days later, on February 24, 1944, a date symbolically coinciding with the Estonian Independence Day, the newly formed and highly motivated 45th and 46th SS Waffen Grenadier Regiments (1st and 2nd Estonian) launched a decisive counter-attack. Operating north of Narva, these fresh Estonian units, fighting with exceptional resolve for their homeland, successfully destroyed the Soviet Riigiküla bridgehead. This action not only eliminated a significant Soviet foothold but also served as a powerful morale booster for the German defenders and a poignant symbol of Estonian resistance against the Soviet advance on their national day.

The destruction of the Riigiküla bridgehead underscored the critical role played by the newly mobilised Estonian forces in stemming the Soviet tide and denying them a quick victory at Narva. This marked the end of the initial Narva Offensive phase, setting the stage for subsequent prolonged and bloody engagements in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Narva Offensive (Feb 1944)

What was the primary objective of the Soviet Union during the Narva Offensive in February 1944?
The primary objective for the Soviet Leningrad Front was to capture the strategically vital Narva Isthmus, opening a gateway into Estonia. This was seen as a crucial step towards forcing Finland out of the war and re-occupying the Baltic states.
Why was the Narva Isthmus considered so strategically important?
The Narva Isthmus was a critical choke point, serving as a defensive linchpin for the German Army Group North and a direct invasion route into Estonia for the Soviets. Its control would allow the Soviet Union to threaten Finland directly and further isolate German forces.
Who were the main opposing forces in this particular Narva Offensive?
The campaign was primarily fought between the Soviet Leningrad Front, including units like the 2nd Shock Army, 30th Guards Rifle Corps, and 124th Rifle Corps, and the German Army Detachment "Narwa," which included the "Sponheimer Group" and the III (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps, significantly reinforced by newly mobilised Estonian units.
What role did Estonian soldiers play in the Narva Offensive?
Estonian soldiers played a crucial role, providing much-needed reinforcements to the German defenses. Motivated by the desire to resist Soviet re-occupation and protect their homeland, units like the 45th and 46th SS Waffen Grenadier Regiments (1st and 2nd Estonian) fiercely defended against the Soviet advance, notably destroying the Riigiküla bridgehead.
Why did the Soviet offensive halt on February 20, 1944?
The offensive halted due to the fierce resistance from the German and Estonian defenders, particularly the III (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps, which inflicted heavy casualties and exhausted the Soviet attacking forces. Logistical challenges in the difficult terrain also contributed to the inability of the Soviets to sustain their offensive momentum and exploit initial breakthroughs.