Martin Hanngren

Lieutenant General Gustaf Martin Hanngren (24 May 1880 – 31 July 1945) was a senior Swedish Army officer. Hanngren began his military career in the Dalarna Regiment in 1900 and progressed through various positions. He became a major in the General Staff in 1920 and served as the chief of staff for the 1st Army Division. In 1926, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the General Staff and transferred to the Värmland Regiment. In 1936, he was promoted to the rank of major general and appointed Inspector of the Infantry, where he worked to enhance infantry combat capabilities and introduced new equipment and drill regulations. In 1945, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

Early life Hanngren was born on 24 May 1880 at in Dala-Husby socken, Kopparberg County, Sweden, the son of Colonel and his wife Olga (née Lagergren). His brother Harald Wilhelm Hanngren (1882–1959) became the sales manager at Korsnäs sågverks AB in 1909 and the managing director there in 1942.

Career Hanngren became a underlöjtnant in the Dalarna Regiment in 1900, a lieutenant in 1903, and attended the Royal Swedish Army Staff College from 1905 to 1907. Under his tenure as Inspector of the Infantry, efforts were made to enhance the infantry's combat capabilities, including the introduction of a new and lighter field equipment, with the replacement of the old satchel by the backpack being particularly significant. He also played a key role in developing a new drill regulation for the infantry, for which he personally authored much of the content.

Personal life In 1914, Hanngren married Elin Lundmarker (born 1892), the daughter of banker Wilhelm Lundmarker and Carolina Almblad. They had two daughters, Ulla (born 1915) and Margaretha (born 1919).

Death Hanngren died on 31 July 1945 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dates of rank 1900 – Underlöjtnant 1903 – Lieutenant 1912 – Captain 1920 – Major 1926 – Lieutenant colonel 1929 – Colonel 1936 – Major general 1945 – Lieutenant general

Awards and decorations

Swedish

SkdlGM Landstormen Silver Medal (Landstormens silvermedalj) Army Shooting Medal (Arméns skyttemedalj)

Foreign

Austrian Red Cross Honor Badge for Officers

Honours Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences (1928)