Aaro Olavi Pajari

Aaro Olavi Pajari (17 July 1897 in Asikkala - 14 October 1949) was a colonel in the Finnish Army in World War II. He received the Mannerheim Cross of Liberty for valor, 14 September 1941.

Aaro Pajari is regarded as one of the bravest and most courageous men of the Finnish army in the Second World War. His tactical greatness, as well as his manner of leading from the front made him a great leader and led to great devotion and motivation from the troops under his command. His greatest achievement was the Finnish victory at the battle of Tolvajarvi in the winter of 1939-40, where his small Finnish force smashed a far larger Soviet army. Pajari went on to serve brilliantly throughout the Winter, Continuation, and Lapland wars, becoming famous for his success in leading small unit, and guerrilla style operations.

References

* [http://www.uta.fi/koskivoimaa/henkilot/pajari.htm Niemi, Leena (2002) "Aaro Olavi Pajari (1897-1949) Vaikuttaja kaupungissa ja sotarintamalla" "Koskesta Voimaa"] approx. translation of title "Aaro Olavi Pajari (1897-1949) in civil and military circumstances", with photo::"This article is based in part on material from the Finnish Wikipedia".