Aleksander Tõnisson

Aleksander Tõnisson VR I/1 (17 April 1875 – 30 June 1941) was an Estonian military commander (Major General) during the Estonian War of Independence.

Aleksander Tõnisson
Born17 April 1875
Pööra, Härjanurme Parish, Kreis Dorpat, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire (now Pööra, Jõgeva Parish, Estonia)
Died30 June 1941 (1941-07-01) (aged 66)
Tallinn, Estonia
Allegiance Russian Empire
 Estonia
Years of service1899–1917 Imperial Russian Army
1918–1934 Estonian Army
RankKindralmajor
UnitImperial Russian Army
Estonian Army
Battles/warsRusso-Japanese war
World War I
Estonian War of Independence
AwardsCross of Liberty

In 1899 he graduated from Vilnius Military Academy. Tõnisson participated in Russo-Japanese war and in World War I. In 1917 he participated in formation of Estonian national units and as commander of 1st Estonian regiment participated in battles at Riga front. In 1918 he escaped from German occupation to Finland, returned in autumn and became commander of 1st Division of Estonia. During Estonian Liberation War Tõnisson fought successfully at Viru Front. After war he served twice as minister of defence, in 1934 he retired from military and was mayor of Tartu 1934–1939 and Lord Mayor (ülemlinnapea) of Tallinn from 1939 to 1940. In 1940 Soviet occupation authorities arrested Tõnisson and executed him the following year.

Honours and awards

References

  • Ülo Kaevats et al. 2000. Eesti entsüklopeedia 14. Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus, ISBN 9985-70-064-3
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