Tallinn Trip – Soviet Statue Graveyard (Memorial to Johannes Raudmets)
Next in line in the almost comedic line-up of Soviet heroes that the Soviet Union executed is Johannes Raudmets (1892-1937). He was an Estonian-born Soviet military leader who played a significant role in the Red Army during the tumultuous years of the Russian Revolution and Civil War. Born in Virika, Governorate of Estonia, he began his military career in the Imperial Russian Army during the First World War. However, with the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution, he switched allegiance and joined the Red Army, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
Raudmets proved to be a skilled and capable commander, earning the prestigious Order of the Red Banner for his service. He held various important positions within the Red Army, including command of the 15th Rifle Division. His dedication to the Bolshevik cause and his military achievements led to his promotion to the rank of Komdiv (division commander), a high-ranking position within the Soviet military hierarchy. In 1937, during the Great Purge, he was arrested on fabricated charges of treason and conspiracy. Despite his loyal service to the Soviet Union, he was convicted and executed on 9 September 1937. In 1966, the Soviet Union changed their mind and decided he was a hero.
The museum itself notes that the situation is entirely ridiculous, noting that some said “the only thing red about Raudmets was the colour of the monument.” And note that even when this granite statue, designed by Ernst Kirs, in 1975 was installed they pretended that he had died in 1942 so it looked more like he died fighting in a war rather than being killed by Stalin.
His wife attended the unveiling of the statue, which was placed in Paide to mark the 35th anniversary of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. I don’t know what she thought about all of this, but I suspect it’s what the Soviet secret police told her to think. This memorial actually stayed in place until 2007 before it came to the museum, not least perhaps as Raudmets wasn’t really a direct threat to Estonia.
