Finnish Forces

Two-time Mannerheim Cross recipient

Major General Pajari sometime in 1941-1944. Aaro Pajari (1897-1949) joined White Guard, the future Finnish Army, in autumn 1917, fought in the Finnish Civil War (1918) and was wounded twice. The second time the bullet went in from his shoulder and came out of his lower back. After the Civil War, or War of Independence, as it was commonly known at the time, he led 2nd "Regiment" (450 men) of volunteers in Aunus expedition (1919). Possibly his greatest single achievement happened in the Winter War (1939-40), where he led 16th Infantry Regiment and later also four seperate battalions, in successful counter-offensive against two Soviet divisions in Ägläjärvi-Tolvajärvi area. In Continuation War Pajari led 18th Division from recapture of Karelian Isthmus in 1941 to 1943, and was wounded once in 1941, while encouraging his men forward in frontline. In March 1942 he commanded detachment which recaptured Suursaari and Tytärsaari islands on Gulf of Finland. He commanded 3rd Division from December 1943, and led it in hard battles of Karelian Isthmus in 1944, including Battle of Tali-Ihantala, and later in Battle of Tornio, against Germans during the Lapland War. Pajari was arrested by order from the Allied Commission on October 21, 1944. He was accused of mistreating Finnish political prisoners, but was released 2 months later. He suffered of heart condition for long and died of heart attack during work trip on October 14, 1949, just day before his resignation from active service was accepted. He was survived by wife (married 1928) and three children (born 1929, 1931 & 1944). The first Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) was awarded to him on September 14, 1941, for his decisive role in breakthrough battle at Karelian Isthmus, and the second one on October 16, 1944, mainly for operations at Tornio. Promotions: Vänrikki (Second lieutenant) - September 17, 1919. Luutnantti (First lieutenant) - December 6, 1920. Kapteeni (Captain) - December 6, 1923. Majuri (Major) - May 16, 1927. Everstiluutnantti (Lieutenant Colonel) - December 6, 1930. Eversti (Colonel) - December 18, 1939. Kenraalimajuri (Major General) - October 3, 1941.