Hannes Ignatius

Who was Hannes Ignatius?

Johannes Ferdinand Ignatius was a prominent Finnish independence man and a soldier.

Cavalry Captain, 1900

Colonel, 1918

Major General, 1918

Lieutenant General, 1928

Ignatius was the son of the Fennophile Senator Karl Ferdinand Ignatius and Amanda Kristina Bergman. Ignatius received his military education in the Hamina Cadet School 1885–1992, and in the Nicholas Academy of General Staff in St Petersburg 1896–1899.

Ignatius served in the Finnish Dragoon Regiment 1892–1901. After the abolition of the Military of the Grand Duchy of Finland Hannes Ignatius sought career in business 1901–1917. During World War I Ignatius was a prominent member of the Military Committee preparing the Independence of Finland.

Hannes Ignatius served as the Quartermaster General of the White Army during the Finnish Civil War from 18 February till 6 May 1918; Chief of Staff from 6 May till 1 June 1918.

Ignatius held military posts 1919–1920 and again 1939–1940: e.g. Chief of General Staff from 5 March till 12 September 1919. Chairman of the publishing committee of the work Suomen Vapaussota 1918. In 1918 he wrote the book Gustaf Mannerheim. He was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Mannerheim in the 1920s and 1930s.