Andres Larka

Andres LarkaVR I/1(5 March 1879Pilistvere(nowPõhja-Sakala Parish),Kreis Fellin– 8 January 1943Malmyzh,Kirov,Soviet Union) was anEstonianmilitary commander during theEstonian War of Independenceand a politician.

Andres Larka (1920)

In 1902 he graduated fromVilnius Military Academy.Larka participated in theRusso-Japanese Warand graduated from theImperial Nicholas Military Academyin 1912. He participated inWorld War Ifighting on theEastern frontagainst theGerman Empire,including fighting inEast Prussia,PolandandRomania.

Larka became the first Minister of War ofRepublic of Estonia;in March he achieved rank ofMajor General.In 1918, during the German occupation, he participated in organising theDefence League.After the start of the Estonian Liberation War in 1918, Larka soon moved from position of Minister of War to Chief of Staff. In February 1919 he became the Undersecretary of the Minister of War and held that position to the beginning of 1925. In that position his job was to organize mobilization and actions of reserve units. After the war he also organized demobilization. He retired in 1925 because of health issues. In 1930 he became official leader of theLeague of Liberatorsand was their candidate in the April 1934 presidential elections. But on 12 March 1934, as it seemed likely that Larka would be elected,Konstantin PätsandJohan Laidonermade acoup d'étatin order to prevent him from winning the elections. The elections were postponed indefinitely, Larka and about 400 of his closest supporters were imprisoned and authoritarian rule was established. Larka was in prison twice (1934-1935 and 1935-1937). In 1940 theSovietoccupation authorities arrested Larka; he died in imprisonment in 1943.

Larka is recipient of the Latvian militaryOrder of Lāčplēsis,2nd class.

See also

• Estonian War of Independence
• Freikorps in the Baltic
• League of Liberators

References

• Ülo Kaevatset al. 2000.Eesti Entsüklopeedia 14.Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus,ISBN9985-70-064-3