Arne Somersalo

Arne Sakari Somersalo (born Arne Sommer; 18 March 1891 – 17 August 1941) was a Finnish officer and anti-communist activist.

Somersalo was educated at the University of Helsinki before studying natural sciences at the University of Jena. Based in Germany during the First World War he enrolled in the German Army as an officer in 1916, serving until the armistice. He transferred straight to the Finnish Army and from 1920 to 1926 was the commander of the Finnish Air Force.

He became involved in politics in 1926 when he started editing the right wing journal Valkoinen Vartio and then founded the fiercely anti-communist Finnish Defence League.

Recalled to active service for the Winter War, Somersalo acted as Chief of Staff for the frontline in Suomussalmi and was awarded the Order of the Cross of Liberty for his actions. During the Continuation War, he acted as a liaison officer for the German SS division Nord in Finnish Lapland. He was killed in action near Kiestinki (Kestenga), USSR on 17 August 1941.