Aleksander Tõnisson

Aleksander Tõnisson
File:Aleksander Tonisson.jpg Aleksander Tõnisson
Allegiance	Estonia
Service / branch	Estonia
Years of service	1899-1917 Imperial Russian Army 1918-1934 Estonian Army
Rank	Kindralmajor
Unit	Imperial Russian Army Estonian Army
Battles / wars	Russo-Japanese war World War I Estonian War of Independence *Battle of Krivasoo
Awards	Cross of Liberty (Estonia)

Aleksander Tõnisson VR I/1 (April 17 1875 Härjanurme Parish, now Puurmani Parish, Jõgeva County, Estonia - June 30 1941 Tallinn, Estonia) was a famous Estonian military commander (Major General) during the Estonian War of Independence.

In 1899 he graduated 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 1939 - 1940. In 1940 Soviet occupation authorities arrested Tõnisson and executed him the following year.

See also

• Estonian War of Independence

References

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