Aaro Pajari

Aaro Pajari
Aaro Pajari
Born	(1897-07-17)17 July 1897 Asikkala, Finland
Died	14 October 1949(1949-10-14) (aged 52)
Allegiance	Finland
Service / branch	Finnish Army
Rank	Major General
Battles / wars	Battle of Tolvajarvi
Awards	Mannerheim Cross of Liberty (Twice)

Aaro Olavi Pajari (17 July 1897, Asikkala – 14 October 1949, Kokkola) was a Major General in the Finnish Army. During the World War II, he received the Mannerheim Cross of Liberty twice. Aaro Pajari is regarded as one of the bravest and most courageous men of the Finnish army in the World War II. His tactical greatness, as well as his manner of leading from the front made him a great leader and led to great devotion and motivation from the troops under his command.

Colonel Pajari in front of Tolvajärvi's headquarters. SA-kuvat

His greatest achievement was the Finnish victory at the Battle of Tolvajarvi in the Winter War, where his small Finnish force smashed a far larger Soviet army. Pajari went on to serve brilliantly throughout the Winter, Continuation, and Lapland wars, becoming famous for his success in leading small unit, and guerrilla style operations.

References

• Niemi, Leena (2002) "Aaro Olavi Pajari (1897-1949) Vaikuttaja kaupungissa ja sotarintamalla" Koskesta Voimaa approx. translation of title "Aaro Olavi Pajari (1897-1949) in civil and military circumstances", with photo

This article is based in part on material from the Finnish Wikipedia.