• Source: North Ingria

The Republic of Kirjasalo (Finnish: Kirjasalon tasavalta), commonly known as the Republic of North Ingria (Finnish: Pohjois-Inkerin tasavalta) was a short-lived unrecognized state from 9 July 1919 to 5/6 December 1920. Kirjasalo was located in the southern part of the Karelian Isthmus, specifically in Kirjasalo in Lempaala.




Government and the Republic


Kirjasalo was in control of approx. 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi), controlling five villages, having around 400 total population. Kirjasalo had its own local Protection Corps and local newspaper Kirjasalo Sanomat. Kirjasalo had its own military regiment, the North Ingria Regiment, which was composed of 580–1,700 military volunteers, and led by Georg Elfvengren, prior to being sacked and being replaced by Elja Rihtniemi. The official flag and coat of arms of the Republic of Kirjasalo were designed by Ilmari Haapakoski and were inaugurated on 8 September 1919. Kirjasalo had its own badge of honor, the Cross of the Ingrian White Wall.




= Government

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Kirjasalo had two types of government in charge of the republic, the Pohjois-Inkerin Hoitokunta ('North Ingrian Caretaker Committee'), which was the executive refugee government established in July 1919 by Ingrian refugees from Bolshevik Russia. The Caretaker Committee was incharge of boosting morale, publishing stamps to raise money, and organizing volunteer regiments, such as the North Ingria Regiment. Kirjasalo also had a local council located in Kirjasalo, Lempaala, however it was only ever operational for a couple of months.




History



Following the October Revolution, and Bolshevik Russian expulsions and mass-mobilizations of Ingrian Finns in Kirjasalo and other locations, and with the Heimosodat (Aunus Expedition), tensions were high in Northern Ingria. On 9 July 1919, the Pohjois Inkeri Hoitokunta ('North Ingrian Caretaker Committee') was elected as the executive government with Santeri Termonen at its head, and the independence of Kirjasalo was declared in a meeting attended by around four-hundred people in Rautu.

Finland began to supply Kirjasalo with military equipment, and volunteer activists began to train the Ingrian military volunteers. Georg Elfvengren became the leader of the newly organized North Ingria Regiment, leading around 580 men. On 26 July 1919, Elfvengren launched military offensives towards Ylä-Miikkulainen and Lempaala from the Finnish border, capturing multiple villages and locations, eventually reaching Perämäki and Putkelovo on 30 July, killing twenty-five Bolshevik troops in the process. Independent separate forces loyal to Kirjasalo occupied Miikkulainen, a settlement in the far north-east of Ingria, however were later defeated by the Bolsheviks. Due to Bolshevik replenishments, Elfvengren's were forced into retreat, retreating until the village of Kirjasalo.
Elfvengren's hopes of causing a diplomatic incident and causing a wider rebellion amongst Finns and Ingrian Finns in the area had failed terribly. Having performed an attack without the prior approval of the Finnish Government, Elfvengren was sacked and replaced by Elja Rihtniemi. Elja Rihtniemi began to construct fortifications in Lempaala and requested weapons from Finland, Rihtniemi would resign two months later, and Elfvengren would be re-hired. Elfvengren began to get back on the offensive in accordance with Nikolai Yudenich of the White Army, this deal with the White Movement helped Kirjasalo receive four observing officers from the Northwestern Army, and receive much-needed financial assistance leading to the building of a hospital and other key infrastructure. Yudenich had signed a deal with Elfvengren for the purpose of getting him to join a planned attack on St. Petersburg.
A new offensive in accordance with Yudenich was started on 21/22 October, with the goal of capturing the village of Toksova, which was the most populous and important centre of North Ingria. The first battle was with Red Finns at the Gruzino railway station which was used to transport Bolshevik forces. However an armored train and workers from the Shlisselburg powder factory, led by I.P. Zhuk arrived to the battle. The Ingrian forces were victorious however were unable to continue their advancements.
Ingrian forces were unable to continue fighting the Red Army, as they were equipped with artillery and armored trains, which the Ingrians did not have, as the Finns once again refused to supply the Ingrian forces except for the donation of topographic maps of the region. The Ingrians lost control over the Gruzino railway station, and were forced to retreat back to Kirjasalo.

After the Treaty of Tartu, the entirety of Ingria was affirmed to be in the control of Bolshevik Russia, a mourning party was hosted on 5 December 1920, during the farewell party Erik Heinrichs held a speech, after which Nouse, Inkeri, the anthem of Kirjasalo, and Porilaisten Marssi were sung. The State Flag was saluted and lowered on 6 December 1920, and on the same day the village of Kirjasalo left for Finland.




See also


Postage stamps and postal history of North Ingria
Ingrian Finns




References






= Notes

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External links


Ingria on Fire: A little-known episode of the White Movement (in Russian), including a map of Finnish toponyms.

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