Received his military education in the Finnish Jäger Battallion in Germany 1915-1918, and in French Military Schools, e.g. in the French War Academy 1923-1926. Battallion Commander in the War of Independence, e.g. in the battle of Rautu; later held various military posts: e.g. Chief of General Staff 1930-1940; Commander of Coastal Group from 2 till 25 March, 1940; Commander of Army Corps 1940-1941; Commander of Aunus Group 1942-1944; Commander of the troops on the Carelian Isthmus from 14 June till 6 October, 1944; Chief of General Staff 1944: Commander of Army Corps from 27 November, 1944, till 10 September, 1945. Knight of Mannerheim Cross, 1944. Honorary Doctor of Turku University, 1960
World War II | Pacific War | Winter War | Headquarters | Mannerheim Line | Vilho Petter Nenonen | K.L. Oesch | Harald Öhquist | Paavo Talvela | Continuation War |Transit Pact | Risto Ryti | Order of the Day of the Sword Scabbard | Erik Heinrichs | A.F. Airo | Hugo Österman | Marshal's Drink | Mannerheim Cross | Title of Marshal of Finland | Air War - Air Forces
COURSE OF LIFE | FAMILY | TIME OF GROWTH | MILITARY CAREER | WAR OF INDEPENDENCE | REGENT 1918-1919 | CIVILIAN | DEFENCE COUNCIL | COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 1939-1946 | PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 1944-1946 | RETIREMENT | SPECIAL TOPICS | SEARCH