18 Facts About Johan Pitka

Johan Pitka was appointed the Commander of the Estonian Navy in December 1918 and led it through the victorious Estonian War of Independence without losing a ship.

Johan Pitka was born on 19 February 1872 in Jalgsema, Kreis Jerwen in the Governorate of Estonia of the Russian Empire, into an Estonian family.

Johan Pitka studied at Kasmu, Kuressaare and Paldiski marine schools and became a Master Mariner.

At the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence, the Defence League was one of the main forces of the Republic of Estonia, and at that time Johan Pitka started organising the armoured trains.

Johan Pitka was one of the main organizers of the Estonian Navy, being appointed commander in December 1918 and leading it in all major operations, including supporting the Estonian 1st Division in the capture of Narva from the Russian SFSR in January 1919, and supporting the Estonian 3rd Division by attacking Landeswehr naval fortifications in Riga in July 1919.

Johan Pitka achieved the rank of a rear admiral in September 1919.

The promise of new roads in and extension of the railway caused Johan Pitka to establish a settlement in the Sowchea area of Fort St James, British Columbia.

The initial settlers were Johan Pitka's family consisting of: Lady Mari-Helene Johan Pitka, sons Edward and Stanley, daughters Saima and Linda and son-in law Lt.

In 2009, a monument honouring Johan Pitka was unveiled in Fort St James.

Johan Pitka was one of the leaders of the League of Liberators for a short time but left the organisation in 1932.

Johan Pitka entered Estonia without permission from German officials and began to organize a military defence while living underground.

An appeal by Johan Pitka was published in a newspaper in Tallinn, calling for volunteers to fight against the imminent Red Army offensive.

Johan Pitka's unit fought the last defence of Tallinn against the Red Army, but were eventually pushed west and he disappeared.

Johan Pitka's troops lost the battle, and Pitka committed suicide by injecting a sedating syringe, so as to not fall into the hands of the Soviets alive.

Johan Pitka is a recipient of the Latvian military Order of Lacplesis, 2nd class.

Johan Pitka translated a book by Irving Cooper about fitness and health from English to Estonian in 1935 after he had returned from Canada.

Johan Pitka translated a spiritual work with a foreword by Helena Blavatsky.

Johan Pitka wrote about his years commanding the barque Lilly and wrote his other memoirs in four volumes that were edited by Evald Past.