Finnish Forces

Colonel Pajari during the Winter War

Aaro Olavi Pajari(1897–1949) was Finnish Major General and Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #12. Pajari started his military career by joining the Civil Guard in 1917 and fought in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. He remained in military career and by late 1930's had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. When the Winter War started on November 30, 1939, Aaro Pajari was commander of the Infantry Regiment 16(JR 16). His regiment was made part of "Group Talvela" which was sent to repel the threat on the north side of lake Ladoga. Pajari commanded his regiment in the Battle of Tolvajärvi, where Finnish troops made a successful counter-attack against the Soviet 139th and 75th Divisions. The Battle was first major Finnish victory in the war and was a huge moral boost for all Finnish troops. On December 18, 1939 Pajari was promoted as Colonel and later as the group's commander Col. Talvela was promoted and sent to Karelian Isthmus, Pajari was given the command of the whole group. When Continuation War started Colonel Pajari commanded the 18th Division, which made the breakthrough on the Karelian Isthmus in August 1941. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on September 14, and he became the 12th Knight of the Mannerheim Cross. Aaro Pajari was promoted as Major General on October 3, 1941. In 1942 he led the recapture of strategically important Suursaari island, located in the Bay of Finland. On October 21, 1943 Pajari was moved as the commander of 3rd Division, which he commanded through the heavy defense battles of 1944 and then later in Lapland War Pajari led the division in the daring landing of Tornio and the battles for the city. For these actions he was awarded the Mannerheim Cross for the 2nd time.