Johannes Soodla

Infobox Military Person
name= Johannes Soodla
lived=January 14 1897 – May 16 1965
placeofdeath= May 16 1965, Goslar, Germany


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=flag|Estonia
branch=Estonia, Germany
serviceyears= 1918–1941 Estonian Army 1942-1943 Wehrmacht 1943-1944 Waffen SS
rank=Brigadeführer
unit= Kuperjov's Partisan Battalion Estonian Legion
battles=World War I Estonian War of Independence World War II
awards=Iron Cross 2nd class
Cross of Liberty (Estonia)
laterwork=
portrayedby=

Johannes Soodla (born January 14, 1897 - died May 16 1965) was an Estonian military officer during the World War I, Estonian War of Independence and World War II, serving in Kuperjanov's Partisan Battalion and Estonian Legion. On 1944 he was promoted to Brigadefuhrer which was the highest rank ascribed to Estonian officer in World War II.

In 1916 Soodla was mobilized to Russian Army and was sent to school in Gatchina. He fought in World War II. In Estonian War of Independence Soodla fought along with Julius Kuperjanov in same unit. Soodla was a company leader. He fought in all the thoughest battles in war includng the Battle of Paju. After war, Estonian Cross of Liberty was ascribed to Soodla. In 1920 to 1940 he served in Estonian Army till releasing by Soviet Union Army in 1941. After that Soodla went to Germany and came back in the summer of same year with German Army and he was firstly promoted to Oberfuhrer then Brigadefuhrer. In 1943 he joined with Estonian Legion. In 1944 he fell back with German forces to Germany.

After the war he lived in Italy and in United States. He died on May 16, 1965 in Goslar, Germany.