Aleksander Tõnisson

Aleksander Tõnisson VR I/1 (17 April 1875 – 30 June? 1941) was an Estonian military commander, statesman, mayor of Tartu 1934–1939 and mayor of the capital city Tallinn in 1939–1940. After the Soviet invasion and occupation of Estonia in June 1940, Tõnisson was imprisoned by the new Stalinist regime and executed most probably in June or July 1941. The exact date and location of his death and place of burial remain unknown.

Aleksander Tõnisson
Born	17 April 1875 Pööra, near Jõgeva, Estonia (then Russian Empire)
Died	June or July 1941 unknown (near Tallinn, in then Soviet-occupied Estonia)
Allegiance	Russian Empire 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

Career

In 1899, Aleksander Tõnisson graduated from Vilnius Military Academy. He participated in the 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-occupied Estonia to Finland, returned to the newly independent Estonia in the autumn of 1918 and became commander of 1st Division of Estonia. Promoted to the rank of Major General he fought successfully in the 1918–1920 Estonian War of Independence leading his unit at the Viru front.

After the war, he served twice as minister of defence of Estonia. In 1934, he retired from military and served as mayor of Tartu 1934–1939 and "senior mayor" (ülemlinnapea) of Tallinn from 1939 to 1940.

Following the June 1940 Soviet invasion and occupation of Estonia, Tõnisson was arrested by the Soviet NKVD forces and, like most senior Estonian politicians at the time, was either executed or died in Soviet captivity soon afterwards. Tõnisson was still known to be alive (imprisoned in Tallinn) in mid-June 1941. The exact date and location of his death and place of burial remain unknown. According to circumstantial evidence, Tõnisson was most probably executed in the Tallinn area by the Soviet NKVD on or around 30 June 1941.

Honours and awards

• Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class; for distinguished service
• Cross of Liberty, first-class, first degree.
• Commander of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
• Protection of Natural Amenities Medal, 2nd Rank

References

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

Political offices
Preceded by August Hanko	Minister of War 1920	Succeeded by Ants Piip
Preceded by August Kerem	Minister of Defence 1932–1933	Succeeded by August Kerem
Preceded by Hans Ainson [et]	Mayor of Tartu 1934–1939	Succeeded by Robert Sinka
Preceded by Jaan Soots	Lord Mayor of Tallinn 1939–1940	Succeeded by Aleksander Kiidelmaa