Finnish Forces

General Heinrichs

Axel Erik Heinrichs (1890–1965) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #48. One of the first Finnish jaegers who were trained in Royal Prussian 27th Jäger Battalion during WW I. He participated in battles on the eastern front and in the Finnish Civil War of 1918 he served as a battalion commander in the battles of Tampere and Viipuri. He commanded the Finnish III Corps in the Winter War until February 19, 1940, when he assumed the command of Army of Karelian Isthmus, and was Chief of General Staff during Interim Peace (1940-1941). He commanded the Army of Karelia from beginning of Continuation War to January 1942, when he was again appointed as Chief of the General Staff. He received the 2nd class Mannerheim Cross on February 5, 1942, and 1st class on December 31, 1944. Heinrichs was only one along with Mannerheim, who received the 1st class Mannerheim Cross. He was higly decorated soldier and among his other awards were the Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Liberty and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. After the war he served as the commander-in-chief of Finnish Army but was forced to resign because of the "Weapons Cache Case". Heinrichs was one of the military experts of the delegation sent to Moscow by president Paasikivi, for the Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance. Promotions: Germany Gruppenführer (Squad Leader) - September 2, 1915 Zugführer (Platoon Leader) - February 6, 1916 Oberzugführer (Senior Platoon Leader?) - June 27, 1917 Finland Majuri (Major) - February 11, 1918 Everstiluutnantti (Lieutenant Colonel) - August 12, 1919 Eversti (Colonel) - May 16, 1928 Kenraalimajuri (Major General) - May 16, 1933 Kenraaliluutnantti (Lieutenant General) - February 19, 1940 Jalkaväenkenraali (General of Infantry) October 3, 1941