Ain-Ervin Mere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ain Mere
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| Born | 22 February 1903 Vändra, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire
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| Died | 5 April 1969 (aged 66) |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction(s) | Treason War crimes |
| Criminal penalty | Death (in absentia) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Estonia Soviet Union Nazi Germany |
| Years of service | 1918–1940 Estonian Army 1940-1941 NKVD 1941–1943 Omakaitse Estonian Security Police and SD 1943–1945 Waffen-SS |
| Rank | SS-Obersturmbannführer |
| Unit | 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS |
| Battles/wars | Estonian War of Independence Eastern Front |
| Awards | Order of the Cross of the Eagle Iron Cross 1st Class |
Ain Mere (born Ervin Martson; 22 February 1903 – 5 April 1969) was an Estonian military officer who lived during World War II. During the time when Germany occupied Estonia, he worked for the Estonian Security Police and SD, which was controlled by the Germans.
Contents
Ain Mere's Life and Work
Ain Mere was born in a place called Vändra. When he was young, he bravely joined the fight in the Estonian War of Independence. This war helped Estonia become an independent country.
Early Military Service
In early 1919, Ain Mere was hurt while serving on a special armored train. Because of his injury, he had to leave the front lines and go to the back for recovery.
Working for Different Sides
Later, records show that Ain Mere worked for a Soviet intelligence agency called the NKVD for a short time. He wrote reports about people moving from the Baltic Germans area and about secret Estonian groups. These reports were important and even reached high-ranking officials.
He was known by the secret name "Müller" during this time. He was even put in charge of a special department within a Soviet military unit.
Role During German Occupation
In July 1941, Ain Mere surrendered to the German military. He then became part of the Estonian Security Police. This group worked under the German authorities during their occupation of Estonia.
This police force was involved in many serious events during the war. They took action against people they considered opponents of Nazi Germany.
Founding an Anti-Communist Group
Towards the end of World War II, in February 1945, Ain Mere helped start a group called Eesti Vabadusliit in Berlin. This group was against communism. He founded it with another military commander, Harald Riipalu.
Trial and Later Life
After the war, Ain Mere faced serious accusations.
The Trial in Absentia
In March 1961, a trial was held in Soviet Estonia. During this trial, the German Security Police in Estonia, which Ain Mere had led, was accused of being involved in very serious actions. These actions included the arrest and harm of certain groups of people, including Estonian Jews. The police were also accused of taking action against Estonians who were seen as enemies of Nazi Germany.
At the time of the trial, Ain Mere was living in Britain. The Soviet court found him guilty of serious actions during the war and sentenced him to a very severe punishment, even though he wasn't there.
Life in Britain
The British government did not send Ain Mere back to the Soviet Union. They said there wasn't enough clear evidence from the Soviet authorities. Ain Mere continued to live in Britain and passed away in 1969 in Leicester, England, at the age of 66.
Images for kids
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Mere in 1944
