Finnish Forces

Talvela

Erkki Viitasalo /SA-kuva 23332

Major General Paavo Talvela (1897-1973), Punkasalmi, 26.6.1941. He served in a Finnish volunteer battalion of German Army 1916-17, fought in Finnish Civil War (1918), took part in paramilitary Aunus expedition (1919) and East Karelian Uprising (1921-22). Talvela is possibly best known for Battle of Tolvajärvi, a counterattack by "Group Talvela" that became the first major victory for Finns in the Winter War of 1939/40. He was Corps commander in 1941 and again in 1944. Between those years he was the Finnish representative at the German High Command. Talvela was very able and aggressive commander in offense, but he was less well suited to defensive warfare. He was prone to vanity and temper tantrums and his stubbornness made Talvela a very difficult subordinate. He performed best when given independent commands. He was awarded the Mannerheim Cross 3 August 1941 and was the second recipient of the award. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1942 and to General of Infantry in 1966, some 22 years after leaving active duty.