Hando Ruus

Infobox Military Person
name= Hando Ruus
lived=May 16, 1917 - March 31, 1945
placeofdeath=March 31, 1945, Leningrad, Soviet Union


caption=Hando Ruus.
nickname=Tou
allegiance=flag|Estonia
branch=Estonia, Germany
serviceyears= 1938–1940 Estonian Army 1941 Eesti Omakaitse 1941-1942 Wehrmacht 1942-1945 Waffen SS
rank=SS-Hauptsturmführer
unit= 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) Battalion "Narva"
battles=World War II Eastern Front
Battle of Izium Battle of Narva
Battle of Auvere Battle of Tannenberg Line Battle of Porkuni
awards=Eastern Front Medal Infantry Assault Badge Iron Cross 2nd & 1st class
German Cross
laterwork=Painter
portrayedby=

Hando Ruus (birthname Harald-Ferdinand Ruhs was changed on August 1 in 1939, born May 16, 1917 - died probably on March 31, 1945) was Estonian painter and SS-Hauptsturmführer in World War II, serving in Battalion "Narva" and in 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian). His nickname was Tou.

Hando Ruus was born on May 6, 1917 in Tallinn, Estonia. On September 1, 1923 Ruus went to Tallinn I grade school which he finished in 1930. After that Ruus studied graphics from September 1, 1933 till June 3 in 1938. He was on of the most talented students in school.

After graduating school Ruus joined with Estonian Army and from July 4, 1938 he served in 10. Independent Infantry Battalion, in second company. On October 29 he took oath and was promoted to private. On July 6, 1940 after graduating many courses, Ruus was promoted to Junior Sergeant and on September 8, 1940 Ruus was sent to reserve.

In 1941 Hando Ruus had to stand off from occupation and mobilization of Soviet Union. He became a Forest Brother for 21 days and he had to live in a cellar for these days, also Hando Ruus was a group leader of Saku Omakaitse. In 1941 he volunteered to German Army to retaliate for his dad and he started serving in Wehrmacht. On September 21. Ruus was promoted to lieutenant and at the same day he was sent to Estonian Legion, where he arrived on October 28. He started serving in Battalion "Narva".

After separating Battalion "Narva" from Estonian Legion, Ruus took place as a company leader in every battle that "Narva" ever had including Battle of Izium and Battle of Cherkasy. In Cherkasy Ruus got wounded and was sent to Riga, Latvia.

Battalion "Narva" was conquered under the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) service and was sent near Tallinn for military trainigs and for reinforce the battalion. "Narva" became to have new name for the unit, new name was 20. Independent SS infantry battalion and also it had 600 men more than before reinforce.

On April 1, 1944, Hando Ruus married with Salme Kurg.

On April 18, Ruus was sent to Narva front and two days after that he was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer. Battalion fought along with Estonian 47. regiment in the Battle of Auvere.

On July 25, Ruus and his battalion had to hold back Red Army's breakthrough. Impressing was Red Army's artillery support for this tight line. They launched ca. 80 000 shots but Red Army was defeated back with big losses. Red Army lost 8000 men as killed, 29 tanks and 8 planes. Also 20. Battl. had big losses. After the battle they had only 30 men on line. At the time of Battle of Tannenberg Line, Hando Ruus became the commander of 20 Independent SS Infantry Battalion because all the other officers were wounded or dead.

Ruus also fought in Porkuni. After the battle, on September 23, 1944 Hando Ruus and his battalion was overblockaded, also he fell ill to pneumonia and he was sent to Gatchina, Russia.

Hando Ruus was executed on March 31, 1945 in Leningrad, Soviet Union.