General Adolf Ehrnrooth dies

[Janne K.]

Adolf Ehrnrooth died today.
Helsingin Sanomat

During the Winter War he served in the staffs of the 7th Division and the Cavalry Brigade. From the beginning of the Continuation War he served as the chief of staff of the 2nd Division until he was seriously wounded. After he recovered he was appointed to lead the 7th Infantry regiment (JR 7) of the 2nd Division. During the battles on the Karelian Isthmus he was awarded the Mannerheim cross.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Ehrnrooth

Rest in Peace!


/Janne

[finnjaeger]

A great man is gone. very sad moment for Finland. one by one they go, hell be resting next to his brothers in arms in Hietaniemi cemetary. I met him once, striking character he was.
Rest in peace, sir.

TK

[kmk24]

Truly great man is gone. true patriot.

we will not forget...

Kaitsu

[AJK]

Truly a long and productive life (99 years!) in the service of his country. May he rest in peace alongside his fallen comrades.

AJK

[JTV]

He was truly remarkable man, excellent officer and true gentleman. What I have read he also did very good job while serving as substitute for commander of Cavalry Brigade at 1941 (the actual commander was busy commanding Group O, which contained also 2nd Jaeger Brigade). "Suomi on hyvä maa ja puolustamisen arvoinen" (Finland is a good country and worth defending for") became basically his slogan in speeches, with which he lifted spirits everywhere during the last decades. Hats off - true warrior had passed.

[Bair]

Indeed, a great man died. Let him rest in peace. He was a living history himself, now he is just history

regards,

Bair

[Harri]

Yesterday was a sad day in Finland. Adolf Ehrnrooth was the idol of all Finnish war-time and later soldiers.

What I have read he also did very good job while serving as substitute for commander of Cavalry Brigade at 1941

I think you make a mistake in this, Janne. It was his brother Col. Gustaf Ehrnrooth who commanded Cavalry Brigade between 1941 - 1942.

In the summer 1941 Major Adolf Ehrnrooth was either Staff Officer or Chief of Staff of 2nd Division (I don't remember for sure). He was wounded in the summer 1941. On 31.12.1941 he was promoted to Lt.Col. and and returned to Chief of Staff / 2.D at the beginning of 1942. In 1943 he became the Commander of Infantry Regiment 7 (JR 7 / 2.D) which was called "Tyrjä Regiment" according to the place where it fought in the summer 1941. In the summer 1944 Tyrjä Regiment fought at Vuosalmi repulsing all Soviet attacks. This regiment had also the highest number of soldiers awarded with Mannerheim Cross. In the summer 1944 he wounded again and on 6.7.1944 he was promoted to Colonel.

[AJK]

For those readers who understand Finnish, here is a biography of General Ehrnrooth, from the Finnish Defense Forces website: http://www.mil.fi/paaesikunta/tiedotteet/354.dsp

AJK


Ehrnrooth, A d o l f Erik

Jalkaväenkenraali, Mannerheim-ristin ritari n:o 162 s. 9.2.1905 Helsinki k. 26.2.2004 Turku

Opinnot
Ylioppilas Svenska Normallyceum i Helsingfors -nimisestä oppilaitoksesta 31.5.1922, Kadettikoulun kurssi 5 (kadettikersantti) 1.12.1922 - 16.10.1924, Strömsholmin Ratsastuskoulu Ruotsissa 29.8.1928 - 26.7.1929, Kuormastopataljoonan huoltokurssi 22.9.1929 - 4.10.1929, Taistelukoulun luutnanttikurssi 11 7.3.1932 - 8.6.1932, Sotakorkeakoulun yleisen osaston kurssi 10 11.9.1933 - 19.7.1935.

Sotilasura
Kuului Kirkkonummen suojeluskuntaan 1919 - 1922,
vapaaehtoisena Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentissä 12.5.1922 - 1.12.1922.
Kadettikoulun jälkeen nuorempi upseeri Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin 1. Eskadroonassa 1.11.1924 - 5.11.1927.
Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin urheilu-upseeri 15.1.1926 - 10.11.1927.
Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin 1. Eskadroonan varapäällikkö 5.11.1927 - 1.4.1929, nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen luutnantin virkaan 15.6.1928.
Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin vs. adjutantti 18.10.1927 - 4.3.1928,
Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin oikeusupseeri 5.11.1927 - 17.8.1928,
Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin vs. adjutantti 24.5.1928 - 21.6.1928.
Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin 2. Eskadroonan varapäällikkö 1.4.1929 - 26.7.1930, Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin 1. Eskadroonan varapäällikkö 26.7.1930 - 26.10 1931, nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen ratsumestarin virkaan 19.10.1931.
Opetusupseeri Taistelukoulun kevytaselinjalla 7.1.1931 - 5.6.1931,
Ratsuväkiprikaatin reserviharjoituseskadroonan päällikkö 6.6.1931 - 9.7.1931,
opetusupseeri Taistelukoulun kevytaselinjalla 13.7.1931 - 28.8.1931,
Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin 1. Eskadroonan vs. päällikkö 24.8.1931 - 15.10.1931. Ratsuväkiprikaatin adjutantti 26.10.1931 - 1.8.1932.
Ratsuväkiprikaatin esikunnan yleisesikuntaosaston koulutustoimiston vs. päällikkö 26.1.1932 - 31.7.1932.
2. yleisesikuntaupseeri Ratsuväkiprikaatin esikunnassa 1.8.1932 - 10.9.1933,
nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen ylemmän palkkausluokan ratsumestarin virkaan 14.10.1933, Sotakorkeakoulun jälkeen Ratsuväkiprikaatin esikunnan yleisesikuntaosaston toimisto III:n päällikkö 15.8.1935 - 15.10.1937.
Ratsuväkiprikaatin vs. esikuntapäällikkö 1.11.1935 - 30.11.1935.
Toimistoupseeri Ratsuväkiprikaatin esikunnan yleisesikuntaosaston toimisto IlI:ssa 15.10.1937 - 24.2.1938,
Ratsuväkiprikaatin esikunnan yleisesikuntaosaston toimisto II:n päällikkö 24.2.1938 - 7.10.1939.
YH:n ja talvisodan aika: toimistoupseeri Uudenkirkon Ryhmän esikunnan toimisto III:ssa 7.10.1939 - 29.10.1939,
Uudenkirkon Ryhmän esikunnan toimisto II:n päällikkö 29.10.1939 - 7.12.1939,
Ratsuväkiprikaatin esikunnan toimisto III:n päällikkö 7.12.1939 - 10.1.1940.
Ratsuväkiprikaatin vs. esikuntapäällikkö 26.12.1939 - 9.1.1940.
Kannaksen Armeijan III Armeijakunnan 7. Divisioonan esikuntapäällikkö Karjalan kannaksella 10.1.1940 - 13.3.1940.
Välirauhan aika: 7. Divisioonan esikuntapäällikkö 13.3.1940 - 8.9.1940,
nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen majurin virkaan 8.9.1940,
Itä-Suomen sotilasläänin esikuntapäällikkö 8.9.1940 - 15.6.1941.
Jatkosota: II Armeijakunnan 2. Divisioonan esikuntapäällikkö Karjalan kannaksella 15.6.1941 - 12.5.1942.
Haavoittui vaikeasti Kurkelanjärvellä toimiessaan taisteluosaston komentajana (65 % sotainvalidi 1.9.1989) 1.7.1941,
oli haavoittumisen takia hoidettavana mm. Keskussotilassairaala 1:ssä 2.7.1941 - 12.12.1941,
toipumislomalla 12.12.1941 -12.1.1942,
IV Armeijakunnan esikunnan erikoiskäytössä Karjalan kannaksella 13.1.1942 - 20.1.1942, 2. Divisioonan Jalkaväkirykmentti 28:n vs. komentaja 10.3.1942 - 30.3.1942,
2. Divisioonan Jalkaväkirykmentti 7:n va. komentaja Karjalan kannaksella 12.5.1942 - 20.10.1942,
2. Divisioonan esikuntapäällikkö Karjalan kannaksella 20.10.1942 - 29.1.1943.
2. Divisioonan Jalkaväkirykmentti 7:n va. komentaja Karjalan kannaksella 29.1.1943 - 27.11.1944.
Jatkosodan jälkeen Uudenmaan Rakuunarykmentin komentaja 27.11.1944 - 12.3.1947. nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen everstiluutnantin virkaan 30.3.1945,
nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen everstin virkaan 1.6.1945,
Taistelukoulun johtaja 12.3.1947 - 21.4.1952,
Panssarirykmentin komentaja 21.4.1952 - 1.2.1956.
nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen kenraalimajurin virkaan 1.2.1956,
Pääesikunnan ilmapuolustuksen tarkastaja 1.2.1956 - 13.11.1959,
nimitetty puolustuslaitoksen kenraaliluutnantin virkaan 13.11.1959,
1. Divisioonan komentaja 13.11.1959 - 9.1.1960,
2. Divisioonan komentaja 9.1.1960 - 9.2.1965.
ero puolustuslaitoksen kenraaliluutnantin virasta ja 2. Divisioonan komentajan tehtävästä säädetyn eroamisiän perusteella 9.2.1965.

Sotilasarvot ja arvonimet
kornetti 16.10.1924
luutnantti 28.5.1926
ratsumestari 19.10.1931
yleisesikuntaupseeri 31.8.1936
majuri 14.1.1940
everstiluutnantti 30.12.1941
eversti 6.7.1944
kenraalimajuri 8.2.1956
kenraaliluutnantti 28.12.1959
jalkaväenkenraali 6.12.1980

[Harri]

This is the same in English (my translation):


Ehrnrooth, A d o l f Erik


Infantry General, Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #162
born on 9.2.1905 at Helsinki, died on 26.2.2004 at Turku

Studies:

Undergraduate Svenska Normallyceum i Helsingfors on 31.5.1922,
Cadet School, Course #5 (Cadet Sergeant) 1.12.1922 - 16.10.1924,
Strömsholm Riding School in Sweden 29.8.1928 - 26.7.1929,
Transport Column Battalion, Supply Course 22.9.1929 - 4.10.1929,
Combat School, Lieutenant Course 11 7.3.1932 - 8.6.1932,
Military High School, Course of Universal Section 10 11.9.1933 - 19.7.1935

Military Career:

belonged to Kirkkonummi Civil Guard 1919 - 1922,
volunteer in Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 12.5.1922 - 1.12.1922,
after Cadet School younger officer in 1st Squadron / Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment1.11.1924 - 5.11.1927,
sports officer in Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 15.1.1926 - 10.11.1927,
Deputy Chief of 1st Squadron / Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 5.11.1927 - 1.4.1929,
appointed to the office of Lieutenant of Finnish Defence Forces 15.6.1928,
acting Adjutant of Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 18.10.1927 - 4.3.1928,
juridical officer in Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 5.11.1927 - 17.8.1928,
acting Adjutant of Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 24.5.1928 - 21.6.1928,
Deputy Chief of 2nd Squadron / Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 1.4.1929 - 26.7.1930,
Deputy Chief of 1st Squadron / Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 26.7.1930 - 26.10 1931,
appointed to the office of Cavalry Captain of Finnish Defence Forces 19.10.1931,
training officer in light arms course of Combat School 7.1.1931 - 5.6.1931,
Chief of Reserve Training Squadron / Cavalry Brigade 6.6.1931 - 9.7.1931,
training officer in light arms course of Combat School 13.7.1931 - 28.8.1931,
acting Chief of 1st Squadron / Uusimaa Dragoon Regiment 24.8.1931 - 15.10.1931,
Adjutant of Cavalry Brigade 26.10.1931 - 1.8.1932,
acting Chief of Training Office of General Staff Section / Cavalry Brigade HQ 26.1.1932 - 31.7.1932,
2nd General Staff Officer / Cavalry Brigade HQ 1.8.1932 - 10.9.1933,
appointed to the office of Cavalry Captain, higher pay class of the Finnish Defence Forces 14.10.1933,
after Military High School Chief of Office III of General Staff Section / Cavalry Brigade HQ 15.8.1935 - 15.10.1937,
acting Chief of Staff / Cavalry Brigade 1.11.1935 - 30.11.1935.
officer in Office III of General Staff Section / Cavalry Brigade HQ 15.10.1937 - 24.2.1938,
Chief of Office II of General Staff Section / Cavalry Brigade HQ 24.2.1938 - 7.10.1939

During "Extraordinary Training" (YH) and Winter War:
officer in Office III / Uusikirkko Group HQ 7.10.1939 - 29.10.1939,
Chief of Office II / Uusikirkko Group HQ 29.10.1939 - 7.12.1939,
Chief of Office III / Cavalry Brigade HQ 7.12.1939 - 10.1.1940,
acting Chief of Staff / Cavalry Brigade 26.12.1939 - 9.1.1940,
Chief of Staff / 7th Division (Karelian Army / III Army Corps) in Karelian Isthmus 10.1.1940 - 13.3.1940

During "Interim Peace":
Chief of Staff / 7th Division 13.3.1940 - 8.9.1940,
appointed to the office of Major of the Finnish Defence Forces 8.9.1940,
Chief of Staff / East Finland Military Province 8.9.1940 - 15.6.1941

During Continuation War:
Chief of Staff / 2nd Division (II Army Corps) in Karelian Isthmus 15.6.1941 - 12.5.1942,
wounded seriously at Kurkelanjärvi while commanding combat group (disabled 65 % 1.9.1989) 1.7.1941,
was treated at Central Military Hospital 1 2.7.1941 - 12.12.1941,
recovery vacation 12.12.1941 - 12.1.1942,
in special duties of IV Army Corps in Karelian Isthmus 13.1.1942 - 20.1.1942,
acting commander of Infantry Regiment 28 (2.D) 10.3.1942 - 30.3.1942,
temporary commander of Infantry Regiment 7 (2.D) in Karelian Isthmus 12.5.1942 - 20.10.1942,
Chief of Staff / 2nd Division in Karelian Isthmus 20.10.1942 - 29.1.1943,
temporary commander of Infantry Regiment 7 (2.D) in Karelian Isthmus 29.1.1943 - 27.11.1944

After Continuation War:
Commander of Uusimaa Dragoon Regment 27.11.1944 - 12.3.1947,
appointed to the office of Lieutenant Colonel of the Finnish Defence Forces 30.3.1945,
appointed to the office of Colonel of the Finnish Defence Forces 1.6.1945,
Leader of Combat School 12.3.1947 - 21.4.1952,
Commander of Armoured Regiment 21.4.1952 - 1.2.1956,
appointed to the office of Major General of the Finnish Defence Forces 1.2.1956,
Inspector of Air Defence / General Staff 1.2.1956 - 13.11.1959,
appointed to the office of Lieutenant General of the Finnish Defence Forces 13.11.1959,
Commander of 1st Division 13.11.1959 - 9.1.1960,
Commander of 2nd Division 9.1.1960 - 9.2.1965,
resigned after full service, retired 9.2.1965

Military ranks and titles:
Cornet (kornetti) 16.10.1924
Lieutenant (luutnantti) 28.5.1926
Cavalry Captain (ratsumestari) 19.10.1931
General Staff Officer (yleisesikuntaupseeri) 31.8.1936
Major (majuri) 14.1.1940
Colonel Lieutenant (everstiluutnantti) 30.12.1941
Colonel (eversti) 6.7.1944
Major General (kenraalimajuri) 8.2.1956
Lieutenant General (kenraaliluutnantti) 28.12.1959
Infantry General (jalkaväenkenraali) 6.12.1980

What a career!!

[Karri]

He was a great man.

[Janne K.]

Can someone tell what he did after 1965. He probably did not just lie on his sofa taking naps. The article in Helsigin Sanomat tells that he was a guest speaker in different occasions, but was this all he did?


/Janne

[Juha Hujanen]

sad news indeed I was in holiday in Spain,when i received text message that he has died.I did have a toast for his memory.

Rest in peace old warhorse

[Sotka]

R.I.P

[Hurricane]

I think very telling about his long and outstanding career was the fact, that he has shaken hands with each and every president of Finland.

[Kingdom of Montenegro]

Sorry for your lost.