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Mannerheim Vehmaisissa

In Finland, the Military Committee formed by independence men drew Mannerheim into their circle and he was elected chairman of the committee in January 1918.
P.E.Svinhufvud, the speaker of the Independence Senate, appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Finnish Republic (16 January -29 May, 1918). He led the so-called "white army" to victory in late January in the war fought against the Russian occupation army and the attempted socialistic coup. Thanks to his determination the Russian troops stationed in Ostrobothnia were disarmed mainly on January 27-29, and the government troops armed with the weapons procured in this manner. As the Senate, which had moved to Vaasa, had scanty resources, Mannerheim’s military headquarters, located in Seinäjoki and Mikkeli during the war, had great influence on a number of civil matters as well. But the opposition gnawed at his authority.

Mannerheim’s opinions were also taken into account in foreign policy, although the Senate was more willing than he to comply with German intentions. In early March, the Senate promoted him General of the Cavalry to secure his position as the leader of the auxiliary German expedition. The political powers of the Senate grew larger, as the speaker of the Senate, P.E. Svinhufvud, managed to reach Ostrobothnia by way of Germany and Sweden, and thus added his own authority to the leadership of the Vaasa Senate.

To emphasize the importance of the Finnish Army alongside with the Germans, a Victory Parade of "the yeoman army" was organized in Helsinki on the 16th of May, 1918. In connection with the parade, the Commander-in-Chief addressed the Senate on behalf of the army, and requested them to guide the "state ship" with a firm hand. This attitude worked in the hands of monarchists in the fight for the form of government.

Mannerheim was compelled to resign in May 1918, because he was in disagreement with the Finnish Government on the extent of German guidance in the organization of the Finnish army and in matters of foreign policy.

Commander-in-Chief 1918 | Headquarters 1918 | Vaasa Senate | Hannes Ignatius  | Martin Wetzer | Harald Hjalmarson | Ernst Linder | Gösta Theslöf | Jägers | St Petersburg Question | Relations with Germany | Cross of Liberty | Eastern Karelia | Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment | Fir Twig | Finnish Flag | Swedish Brigade | Civil Guards | Jäger Conflict | Heikki Kekoni | Red Prisoners | Wilhelm Thesleff  | Aarne Sihvo | Rudolf Walden  | Air Force - Air Weapon | Red and White Terrorism | Great Parade 16 May, 1918 | Åland Question | Monarchy | Mannerheim's Resignation

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