Finnish Forces

Double Knight

Martti Johannes Aho(1896–1968) was officer of the Finnish Army and one of the few awarded with the Mannerheim Cross twice. He was also multiple champion shooter. Martti Aho first participated in the Finnish Civil War of 1918, and then to the Aunus expedition (1919–1920). Before the Winter War he served as a company leader in the Finnish Border Guard. In the Winter War he was first commander of the Seperate Battalion 8(ErP 8) and then battalion commander in Infantry Regiment 38(JR 38). During the Winter War he was wounded twice. As the Continuation War begun, Major Aho commanded the Infantry Regiment 50, which was part of the 11th Division. For his skillful leadership of the regiment in breakthrough battles and for his effect to capturing of Petrozavodsk he was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on March 1, 1942. He became the Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #52. Aho spent the stationary wartime(1942-'44) with his regiment, at Svir river. In june 1944 he was promoted as colonel, and the division was moved to Karelian Isthmus, where Colonel Aho led his regiment in the heavy defense battles of the summer, including the Battle of Tali-Ihantala. Aho was wounded during the battle. In the Lapland War(1944-'45) the Infantry Regiment 50 participated in the successful battles of Tornio, as part of Group Pajari. Aho was awarded the Mannerheim for the second time, on October 16, 1944. Promotions: #Reservist 2nd Lieutenant - November 16, 1921 #Reservist 1st Lieutenant - December 5, 1925 #Reservist Captain - June 13, 1930 #Captain - March 21, 1931 #Major - February 5, 1940 #Lieutenant Colonel - October 11, 1941 #Colonel - June 23, 1944 Some of his decorations: #Mannerheim Cross 2nd class(awarded twice) #Cross of Liberty 4th class(with swords), 3rd class(with swords), 2nd class(with swords) and 1st class(with oak leafs and swords) #Knight's Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland #German Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class