Received his military education in the Finnish Jäger Battallion in Germany 1916-1917, and in the Military Academy 1924-1926. Battallion Commander in the War of Independence; later held various military posts: 1918-1919, 1920-1921, 1922-1930, 1939-1940, 1941-1944. Participated in the Aunus expedition rising to the position of Commander-in-Chief 1919-1920, and in volunteer activities in Eastern Karelia 1921-1922. Commander of Group Talvela in northern Karelia from 5 December, 1939, till 20 February, 1940; Commander of III Army Corps on eastern Karelian Isthmus from 20 February till 12 April, 1940. In autumn 1940, visited Germany on a special commission by the Commander-in-Chief to reconnoitre German attitudes towards supporting Finland. Commander of Army Corps in the Continuation War; respresentative of the Commander-in-Chief in the Main Staff of the German armed forces from 30 June, 1941, till 15 January, 1942 and again from 1 August till 7 September, 1944. Mannerheim Cross, 1941.
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