Carl Gustaf Emil von Mannerheim

Mannerheim, Carl Gustaf Emil von (1867–1951), Finnish soldier and president (1944–46). He successfully led the Finnish nationalists against the Russo-Finnish communists in 1918. He also led the Finish forces in the Russo-Finnish War (1939–40), holding the Mannerheim Line of defense, which he planned, on the Karelian Isthmus until 1940, when the Soviets broke through.

See also: Finland.