[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

On 16th May 1918 Mannerheim - now promoted full General - led his Army into Helsinki.

Mannerheim (who was fluent in German) disliked Germany and Germans. He however did like a few Germans. One was Colonel Ausfeld who had been CO of 27th Rifle Bn.

He however distrusted MjGen von der Goltz.

Finland elected a German Prince as King. This is almost forgotten today. When Germany lost WW 1 the King was discretely asked not to claim the throne.

Mannerheim resigned as C-in-C on 30th May 1918. He was later 13th December 1918 elected Riksföreståndare (Temporary President) of Finland and served as such for seven months.

After retiring from office he later for some years run a restaurant in Hanko. He once said:

"It is a hard fate to know how good food should taste".

Photo: General Mannerheim entering Helsinki on Victory Day 16th May 1918.