TUNTUD JA TUNDMATU – MÕISTATUSLIK KOLONEL JAAN RINK

CELEBRATED YET OBSCURE – THE ENIGMATIC COLONEL JAAN RINK

Abstract

Colonel Jaan Rink (1886–1927) has remained a relatively little-known
figure in Estonian military history. Of course, those who are better informed certainly
know that during the War of Independence he initially served as Chief
of Staff of the 1st Division, and later as Chief of the Administration of Staff to
the Commander-in-Chief. In the final phase of the War of Independence he also
performed the duties of Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, succeeding
Major General Jaan Soots in this position. After the end of the War of Independence
he also briefly served as Chief of Staff of the Estonian Military Forces. Rink was one
of the few senior Estonian officers during the War of Independence who had undergone
military training as a general staff officer at the Imperial Nicholas General Staff
Academy; he also had experience at corps staff level during World War I.
Since there are currently no comprehensive overviews on Jaan Rink, the purpose
of this article is to examine his military education, participation in military activities
during both World War I and the War of Independence, involvement in Estonian
national defence after the War of Independence, and his contributions to the development
of Estonian national defence. The article also serves as a tribute to this lesserknown
hero of the War of Independence.