Paavo Susitaival
Paavo Susitaival | |
---|---|
Member of the Parliament of Finland | |
In office 1 September 1939 – 31 December 1940[nb 1][2] | |
Personal details | |
Born | Helsinki, Finland | 9 February 1896
Died | 27 December 1993 Lappeenranta, Finland | (aged 97)
Political party | Patriotic People's Movement |
Early life
Paavo Sivén adopted the name Susitaival ("wolf's path" in English) during the
Finnish parliament
Susitaival participated in the
Winter War
During the Winter War, Susitaival served as a Lieutenant Colonel, commanding Osasto Susi in the Battle of Suomussalmi. He also held various command positions in the Continuation War. Despite his leadership skills and charisma, his abrasive, demanding character and a personal feud with Marshal Mannerheim, among other prominent officers, was the cause of him never advancing beyond that rank.
Later life and death
After the war, Paavo Susitaival retired from the Army and lived as an author in Lappeenranta, where a street is named after him. In later life, his physical condition worsened but he never lost his mental acumen. In spite of being a heavy smoker (reputedly consuming at least one bag of pipe tobacco per day after the age of 14) and an avid coffee-drinker, he died at the age of 97. In his will, he requested that he should be buried with his officer's sword, in order that future archaeologists would know that his grave was that of a soldier.[3]
He summed up his life thus: "Three wars, two rebellions, four prison stints. Unfortunately, once in parliament as well."[3]
Awards
- Cross of Freedom 2nd class with Oak Leaves (1941)
- Cross of Freedom 2nd class (1940)
- Cross of Freedom 3rd class (1919)
- Cross of Freedom 4th class with swords (1918)
- Knight Cross of the Order of White Rose of Finland
- Jäger Activist Medal
- Commemorative Medal of the War of Freedom (1918)
- Commemorative Medal of Venäjänsaari (1918)
- Commemorative Medal of Winter War (1940)
- Winter War Lapland Cross (1940)
- Commemorative Medal of Continuation War (1940)
- Commemorative Medal of the 11th Division
- Iron Cross 2nd class (1941)
- Prussian Merit Cross for War Aid (1918)
- Prussian Red Cross Medal 3rd class (1919)
Sources
- L. J. Niinistö; "Paavo Susitaival 1896–1993. Aktivismi elämänasenteena", 1998.
Notes
- ^ Once Susitaival was officially released to serve in the armed forces, he was replaced in parliament by Eino Tuomivaara.[1]
References
- ^ "Eduskunta - kansanedustajat". Eduskunta.fi. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ "Paavo Susitaival".
- ^ a b c d L. J.Niinistö: Paavo Susitaival 1896–1993: Aktivismi elämänasenteena, 1998.
- ^ Paavo Susitaival: Aktivisti ei hellitä. 1981.
- ^ Martti Ahti: Mäntsälän kapina. 1990.
- ^ Mikko Uola: Sinimusta veljeskunta: Isänmaallinen Kansanliike 1932–1944. 1982.