Anton Irv

Who was Anton Irv?

Anton Irv was an Estonian military officer during World War I and the Estonian War of Independence. Along with Karl Parts, he was the leader of Estonian armored trains. Anton Irv died in a Battle of Egle in Latvia.

Anton Irv was born in Sillaotsa farmstead, Ruudi village, Viljandi Parish, Viljandi County, Governorate of Livonia. Before World War I, Irv worked as a teacher.

During the World War I, he served in the Imperial Russian Army. He showed his good leading abilities and courage which led to his being decorated with all four degrees of the Cross of St. George. In 1915, Irv was promoted to Captain. In the end of the World War he came to Estonia, to help assemble Estonian military forces to fight against advancing Red Army in the War of Independence. Irv became a battalion commander of the 1st Estonian Regiment. Later he also helped to organize the Division of Estonian Armoured Trains. Irv became a commander of that unit after Karl Parts got wounded.

After rushing Soviets out of Estonian territory, Estonian Southern front moved into the territory of Latvia helping to liberate country from the units of Landeswehr.