Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim

Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (June 4, 1867 – January 28, 1951) was the reputed Commander-in-Chief of Finland's Defence Forces, Marshal of Finland, an astute politician, a successful military commander and was later President of Finland (1944–1946).

End of the war and a brief presidency

In the moment when Germany was deemed sufficiently weakened, and USSR's summer offensive was fought to standstill (thanks to President Risto Ryti's agreement with the Germans in June 1944), Finland's leaders saw a chance to reach a peace with the Soviet Union. Risto Ryti resigned, and Mannerheim was elected as President on August 4, 1944, mainly because he was the only one with sufficient prestige both internationally and domestically. The dangerous state that Finland found itself in at that moment was reflected in Mannerheim's inauguration speech before the Finnish Parliament:

Related Topics:
USSR - Risto Ryti - Agreement with the Germans - 1944 - President - August 4 - Prestige - Finnish Parliament

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"Mr Speaker, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks for the kind words that you spoke about me. Honourable members of parliament, In accepting for the second time, at this difficult moment of national destiny, the duties of head of state, I do so deeply aware of the responsibilities placed upon me. Great are the difficulties that we will have to overcome in order to safeguard our future. Foremost in my mind at this moment is the army of Finland, now in its fifth year of battle. Trusting in the Almighty, I hope and I believe that, supported by parliament and the government, a unanimous people behind us, we will succeed in preserving our independence and the existence of our nation."

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A month after he took office, the Continuation War was concluded on harsh terms, but ultimately far less harsh than those imposed on the other states in the power of USSR. Finland retained its sovereignty; the territorial losses were limited, but the war reparations were heavy. Finland also had to fight the Lapland War against the withdrawing German troops in the north, and at the same time demobilize her army.

Related Topics:
Sovereignty - War reparations - Lapland War

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Mannerheim resigned for reasons of declining health on March 4 1946. Even Finnish communists, his enemies in 1918, recognized his peacemaking efforts. He was succeeded by his conservative but Russophilic Prime Minister, Juho Kusti Paasikivi.

Related Topics:
March 4 - 1946 - Communists - 1918 - Conservative - Prime Minister - Juho Kusti Paasikivi

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Mannerheim bought Kirkniemi manor in Lohja and intended to spend his retirement there, but in 1947 he had an ulcer operated on and it was recommended that he should travel to the Valmont sanatorium in Montreux, Switzerland to recuperate and write his memoirs. He died on January 28 (Finnish time, January 27 local time), 1951 in Lausanne, Switzerland. He was buried on February 4 1951 in the Hietaniemi cemetery in Helsinki in a state funeral with full military honors, and today retains respect as one of Finland's greatest statesmen.

Related Topics:
Lohja - 1947 - Valmont - Sanatorium - Montreux - Switzerland - January 28 - January 27 - 1951 - Lausanne - February 4 - Hietaniemi cemetery - State funeral - Statesmen

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