poland.gif (1524 bytes)su_ala.gif (565 bytes)

Eversti Mannerheim maastoharjoituksessa

After the return from the expedition to China, Mannerheim was given an opportunity to introduce the results of his journey to the Emperor, and, at the same time, to ask for the command of a regiment.

The wish came true in 1909. The 13th Uhlan Regiment of Vladimir had been stationed in Novominsk, Poland (40 kilometres from Warsaw). In early 1911, Mannerheim was appointed commander of the Uhlan Regiment of the Life Guard of his Majesty the Emperor. The regiment was stationed in Warsaw. When Emperor Nicholas II visited the hunting castle of Spala in Poland, Mannerheim was nominated "a general in the imperial entourage". This honorary title gave him a better opportunity, at least formally, to present his wish to the Emperor himself.

The Poles had been bloodily defeated in the rebellions of the 19th century, and the status of a Russian officer was not free from conflict. Being a Finn, Mannerheim’s position may have been easier than that of his colleagues, and he was able to state that one of his relatives had been living in Poland. He got to know the Polish societies, e.g. the Zamoyskis, Potockis, Krasinskis and Radziwills. Counts Maurice and Adam Zamoyksi and Prince Zdzislaw Lubomirski with his wife Marie Lubomirska were some of his best friends. Mannerheim’s friendship with Princess Lubomirska was deep and continued in correspondence and in personal encounters for a long time.

At the beginning of 1914, Mannerheim was afforded the command of the Cavalry Brigade in Warsaw, a post which had been vacated. He left the Warsaw hunting club in late July to mobilize his brigade, and in a few days’ time Germany declared war against Russia. Mannerheim’s troops fought in southern Poland, and he stood witness to the destruction of the Polish countryside. Warsaw was occupied by Germany.

After the end of the First World War, Mannerheim visited Poland and met his Polish friends.

Military Ranks | Military Career in Russia | Russian Army | Imperial Guard | Administration of Imperial Stables | Nicholas II  | In Russo-Japanese War |   Chinese Expedition 1906-1908 | Scientific Expedition in Asia | Time in Poland | World War I | Mannerheim in World War I | Cross of St George | Sword of St George | Russian Revolution |  Resignation from Russian Service

Etusivulle

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