Richard Tomberg


Richard Tomberg was an Estonian military Major General. He was the only Estonian higher military personnel who survived Soviet times in the 1940s.

Early life and education

Tomberg was born on 6 September 1897 in Mõisamaa, [Lääne-Viru County|Mõisamaa], Salla Parish.
In 1915, he entered voluntarily into the Tsarist Army. In 1916, he graduated from Vilnius Military School.

Military career

He served in the Imperial Russian Army during World War I. In 1917, he joined the Estonian national regiments. He participated in the Estonian War of Independence. 1928–1930, he was the chief of staff of the Estonian Air Force. 1930–1940, he was the chief of the Estonian Air Force.
In 1940, he transferred to the Soviet Army. In 1944, he was arrested by the NKVD, but in 1956 he was released and rehabilitated and retired.

Death

He died on 25 May 1982 in Tallinn.

Awards