Ernst Põdder

Infobox Military Person
name= Ernst Põdder
lived=February 10 1879 - June 24 1932
placeofdeath=June 24 1932, Tallinn, Estonia


caption=
nickname=Vana Õkva
allegiance=flag|Estonia
branch=Estonia
serviceyears= 1918–1932
rank=Kindralmajor
unit= Estonian Army
battles=World War I Estonian War of Independence Battle of Wenden
awards=Cross of Liberty (Estonia)
laterwork=
portrayedby=

Ernst Põdder VR I/1 (February 10 1879 Aleksandri Parish, Võrumaa, Estonia, Russian Empire - June 24 1932 Tallinn, Estonia) was a famous Estonian military commander during the Estonian War of Independence.

In 1900 he graduated from the Vilnius Military Academy. In the Russo-Japanese war he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. In World War I he became Polkovnik (Colonel). In July 1917 he joined Estonian national units, was commander of 3rd and 1st Estonian regiments. In 1918 Põdder was promoted to the rank of Major General. During the German occupation in 1918 he was one of the main founders of the underground Defence League. At the beginning of Estonian Liberation War, Põdder was chief of internal security. April 4, 1919 he became commander of 3rd Division, his main achievement was victory over Baltische Landeswehr.

After the war commanded firstly 3rd Division and from 1921 2nd Division. Actively participated in defeating the 1924 coup attempt. In 1926 he became permanent member of war council, also an active organizer of scouting. Ernst Põdder was the only honorary member of the League of Liberators.

See also

*Estonian War of Independence
*Battle of Wenden
*Freikorps in the Baltic

References

* [http://www.hot.ee/vabadussoda/podder.htm Kindralmajor Ernst Põdder]
* Ülo Kaevats et al. 2000. "Eesti Entsüklopeedia 14". Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus, ISBN 9985-70-064-3