Paavo Susitaival
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Lieutenant Colonel Paavo Susitaival (1896-1993), born Paavo Sivén in Finland. Paavo Sivén and his brother, Bobi Sivén were prominent figures in the Finnish interwar Nationalist movement. Paavo had acquired his reputation smuggling volunteers to Germany to enlist in the 27. Imperial Jaeger Battalion; Bobi gained his by being the last alderman of Porajärvi municipality before the ratification of the Treaty of Tartu who shot himself rather than acknowledge the cessation of Porajärvi and Repola to the Soviet Union.
Paavo Sivén adopted the name Susitaival (Wolfspath in English) during the First World War to throw off the Czar's secret service. After the war, he changed his name permanently to protest against the Svecoman sentiment in the Finnish Army.
During the Second World War Susitaival served as a Lieutenant Colonel, commanding Osasto Susi in the Battle of Suomussalmi. Despite his leadership skills and charisma, his abrasive, demanding character and a personal feud with Marshal Mannerheim was the cause of him never advancing beyond that rank.
After the war, Paavo Susitaival retired from the Army and lived as an author in Lappeenranta, where a street is named after him.
