Finnish Forces

Antero Svensson

Antero Svensson (1892-1946), Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #5. In Winter War Colonel Svensson commanded 2nd Brigade at Karelian Isthmus from beginning of hostilities to February 2, 1940, when he assumed the command of 12th Division, which held it's ground at Kollaa River through the war. During Continuation War he first commanded 7th Division ("Sword Division") starting from June 1941, and led it in battles of Ladoga Karelia and Olonets Karelia. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on August 16, 1941, day after he recaptured Sortavala in Ladoga Karelia. Svensson commanded the division until August 1943, when he was put in charge of 5th Corps, which he led in Karelian Isthmus through battles of summer 1944 and until it was disbanded in December of the same year. Promotions: Imperial German Army (27th Jäger Battalion, 1915-1918) Hilfsgruppenführer (Assistant squad leader) - October 1, 1916 Gruppenführer (Squad leader) - October 28, 1917 Finnish Army (1918-1946) Luutnantti (Lieutenant) - February 11, 1918 Ratsumestari (Captain of cavalry) - May 16, 1919 Majuri (Major) - May 16, 1923 Everstiluutnantti (Lieutenant Colonel) - December 6, 1927 Eversti (Colonel) - December 6, 1933 Kenraalimajuri (Major General) - December 18, 1941