Aleksander Tõnisson Explained

Aleksander Tõnisson
Birth Date:17 April 1875
Birth Place:Pööra, Härjanurme Parish, Kreis Dorpat, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire (now Pööra, Jõgeva Parish, Estonia)
Death Place:Tallinn, Estonia
Allegiance:
Serviceyears:1899–1917 Imperial Russian Army
1918–1934 Estonian Army
Rank:Kindralmajor
Unit:Imperial Russian Army
Estonian Army
Battles:Russo-Japanese war
World War I
Estonian War of Independence
Awards:Cross of Liberty

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

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 the 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.

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