Carl Lennart Nordensvan

Carl Lennart Nordensvan (October 17, 1892, in Kuopio – October 24, 1980, in Ekenäs), was a Finnish soldier and automobile businessman. He is notable for his service as a member of the Finnish Jäger Movement during the First World War and in the Finnish Civil War, for organizing the Finnish Army Automobile Troops following the civil war, as well as for his pioneering efforts in the automobile industry and motor sports in Finland.

Biography Early life Nordensvan was born on October 17, 1892, in Kuopio to Carl Magnus Nordensvan and Mathilda Robertina Åberg. He graduated from the Svenska normallyceum in Helsinki in 1912 where he was a member of the Nylands Nation. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology from 1912 to 1915. In 1919, he married Märta Dagmar Lindeberg, daughter of Ture Valdemar Lindeberg and Selma Sofia Matilda Adlercreutz.

Jäger Movement and military service

Starting from 1915, Nordensvan took part in the Finnish Jäger Movement. During his training, Nordensvan attended a military vehicle course in Libau and taught courses on the use of explosives and motorcycles. Nordensvan was promoted to squad leader on May 2, 1916. He returned to Finland through Sweden in December 1917 to participate in the Finnish Civil War on the side of the Finnish Whites.

Following the end of the civil war, later in 1918, Nordensvan acted as the commander of the Vaasa Regiment until it was disbanded later that year.

Civilian life Following his retirement from the army, Nordensvan became a technical advisor and sales manager Hans Koch OY, a Finnish limited liability company until 1926. In 1926 he founded Oy Auto-Via Ab and was the company's CEO until 1929, after which he was chairman of the board for Oy Kelton Ab until 1932.

Winter War and the Continuation War

Nordensvan returned to military service for the Finno-Soviet Winter War, which broke out in late 1939. and awarded the Cross of Liberty 3rd Class in August of the same year.

Nordensvan's home in Siuntio was on land taken over by the Soviet Union during the creation of the Porkkala Naval Base in the aftermath of the Continuation War. Nordensvan moved with his family to Ekenäs, where he founded a car sales company, and was CEO of the company until the mid-1950s. Nordensvan died in Ekenäs on October 27, 1980.