Lieutenant General Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was norma ...

Gösta Lilliehöök (19 September 1871 – 22 November 1952) was a

Swedish Army The Swedish Army () is the army, land force of the Swedish Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Beginning with its service in 1521, the Swedish Army has been active for more than 500 years. History Svea Life Guards dates back to the year 1 ...

officer. His senior commands include commanding officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade, military commander of Upper Norrland and of the Eastern Army Division as well as Commandant General of Stockholm Garrison.

Early life

Lilliehöök was born on 19 September 1871 in Ovansjö,

Gävleborg County Gävleborg County () is a Counties of Sweden, county or ''län'' on the Baltic Sea coast of Sweden. It borders the counties of Uppsala County, Uppsala, Västmanland County, Västmanland, Dalarna County, Dalarna, Jämtland County, Jämtland and V� ...

, Sweden, the son of major Gustaf "Gösta" Lilliehöök and his wife Gunilla Wærn. He was the brother of colonel Bertil Lilliehöök (1870–1967) and lieutenant general Lennart Lilliehöök (1872–1950).

Career

Military career

He was commissioned as an officer in

Hälsinge Regiment The Hälsinge Regiment (), designations I 14, I 14/Fo 49 and I 14/Fo 21, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 1997. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited from the p ...

in 1891 with the rank of ''

underlöjtnant ''Underlöjtnant'' (from the German word '' Unterleutnant'') was the lowest officer rank in the Swedish Army from 1835 to 1937 instead of the previous ranks of ''fänrik'' and cornet. was reintroduced in 1914 with the same position as , from 19 ...

''. Lilliehöök transferred to

Svea Life Guards The Svea Life Guards (), also I 1, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that was active in various forms 1521–2000. The unit was based in the Stockholm Garrison in Stockholm and belonged to the King's Life and Household Troops (''Kungl. Maj: ...

in 1892 where he was promoted to lieutenant in 1896. He became captain in the

General Staff A military staff or general staff (also referred to as army staff, navy staff, or air staff within the individual services) is a group of officers, Enlisted rank, enlisted, and civilian staff who serve the commanding officer, commander of a ...

in 1904 and in the Svea Life Guards in 1905 and in the

Norrbotten Regiment The Norrbotten Regiment (), designation I 19, is a Swedish Army arctic armoured, light infantry and commando regiment that traces its origins back to the 19th century. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited from the province of Norrb ...

in 1909. He was a teacher of tactics at the

Royal Swedish Army Staff College The Royal Swedish Army Staff College (, KHS) was a Swedish Army training establishment between 1866 and 1961, providing courses for army officers. It was the home of the Swedish Army's staff college, which provided advanced training for officers ...

from 1905 to 1910 and acting chief of staff at the military commander on

Gotland Gotland (; ; ''Gutland'' in Gutnish), also historically spelled Gottland or Gothland (), is Sweden's largest island. It is also a Provinces of Sweden, province/Counties of Sweden, county (Swedish län), Municipalities of Sweden, municipality, a ...

from 1906 to 1909. In 1909, Lilliehöök conducted military studies in

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

. He became major in the General Staff in 1912 and served as senior

adjutant Adjutant is a military appointment given to an Officer (armed forces), officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly the management of “human resources” in an army unit. The term is used in French-speaking armed ...

and lieutenant colonel in the General Staff in 1915 and as staff officer in the Infantry Inspectorate (''Infanteriinspektionen'') the same year. In 1915, Lilliehöök was appointed head of the Royal Swedish Army Staff College and two years later, in 1917, he was promoted to colonel in the General Staff and appointed regimental commander of the

Jämtland Ranger Regiment Jämtland () is a historical province () in the centre of Sweden in northern Europe. It borders Härjedalen and Medelpad to the south, Ångermanland to the east, Lapland to the north and Trøndelag and Norway to the west. Jämtland covers an a ...

. From April to May 1917, Lilliehöök conducted military studies at the

Carpathian Front The Carpathian Front, sometimes referred to as the Carpathian Winter War, of 1915 was one of the largest military operations on the Eastern Front in terms of scale, duration, the number of troops involved in it and the losses of the parties. ...

Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...

. In 1921, Lilliehöök joined the

Norwegian Army The Norwegian Army () is the land warfare service branch of the Norwegian Armed Forces. The Army is the oldest of the Norwegian service branches, established as a modern military organization under the command of the King of Norway in 1628. The ...

and in 1928 he was promoted to major general in the

and appointed military commander of

Upper Norrland Upper Norrland () is a national area () of Sweden. The national areas are a part of the NUTS statistical regions of Sweden. Geography Övre Norrland is the northernmost region of Sweden and forms part of Sápmi (Lapland). It is the Sweden's la ...

's Troops. He conducted military studies in

Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...

in 1929 and in 1930 he was appointed commanding officer of the Eastern Army Division (''Östra arméfördelningen'') and Commandant General of Stockholm Garrison. In 1934 he was promoted to lieutenant general and he conducted military studies in

Northern Norway Northern Norway (, , ; ) is a geographical region of Norway, consisting of the three northernmost counties Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, in total about 35% of the Norwegian mainland. Some of the largest towns in Northern Norway (from south to no ...

in 1935. Lilliehöök retired in 1936. Four years later, Lilliehöök again served as Commandant General of Stockholm Garrison but only for a few months, from April to December 1940.

Other work

As a young officer, Lilliehöök was already interested in the military skiing, Lilliehöök became one of the pioneers of this branch of training and was one of the foremost Swedish authorities in the field of winter field service. He also promoted the voluntary shooting movement and was chairman of the central board of the Rifle Association of Sweden (''Sveriges skytteförbunds överstyrelse'') from 1934 to 1943. He was chairman of the Jämtland County Ski Runner Association (''Jämtlands läns skidlöpareförbund'') from 1918 to 1928, and of the Swedish Lapland Mountain Men's Club (''De lappländska fjällkarlarnas klubb'') from 1929 to 1945 and in the Swedish Mountaineering Club (''Svenska fjällklubben'') from 1938 to 1944. In 1931 he became

King in Council The King-in-Council or the Queen-in-Council, depending on the gender of the reigning monarch, is a constitutional term in a number of states. In a general sense, it refers to the monarch exercising executive authority, usually in the form of app ...

's delegate in the central board of the

Swedish Sports Confederation The Swedish Sports Confederation (, RF) is the umbrella organisation of the Sport in Sweden, Swedish sports movement founded in 1903. Through its member organisations, it has three million members in 22,000 clubs. Its present chair, since 2024, i ...

. In AB Tipstjänst, he was King in Council's representative from the beginning of the company's operations from 1934 to 1941 and chairman of its working committee from 1934 to 1943. Lilliehöök was also chairman of Sagokonst AB, AB Industricentralen and the ''Svenska draghundklubben''.

Personal life

Lilliehöök married for the first time on 24 September 1901 in

Hedvig Eleonora Parish Hedvig Eleonora Parish () is a parish in Östermalm's church district (''kontrakt'') in the Diocese of Stockholm, Sweden. The parish is located in Stockholm Municipality in Stockholm County. The parish forms its own pastorship. History The paris ...

Stockholm Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...

, to Gerda Eva Anna Helena Gabriella Hansson (13 September 1872 in Stockholm – 12 May 1927 in

Östersund Östersund (; ) is an Urban areas in Sweden, urban area (Stad (Sweden), city) in Jämtland in northern Sweden. It is the seat of Östersund Municipality and the capital of Jämtland County. Östersund is located at the shores of Sweden's fifth-larg ...

), the daughter of the wholesaler Lars Peter Hansson and Sofia Josefina Lagercrantz. They had three children, Sigrid (born 1900), Gösta G:son (born 1903) and Gunilla (born 1907). He married for the second time on 18 July 1929 in

Misterhult Misterhult is a locality situated in Oskarshamn Municipality, Kalmar County, Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway ...

Kalmar County Kalmar County () is a Counties of Sweden, county or ''län'' in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Kronoberg County, Kronoberg, Jönköping County, Jönköping, Blekinge County, Blekinge and Östergötland County, Östergötland. To the ...

, to Irma Maria Pagel (12 October 1894 in Stockholm – 29 September 1972 in Stockholm), the daughter of the wholesaler Axel Julius Pettersson Pagel and Alida Maria Edberg. They had one son, Axel G:son (born 1930).

Death

Lilliehöök died on 22 November 1952 in

Bromma Parish Bromma Parish () is a parish in Birka church district (''kontrakt'') in the Diocese of Stockholm, Sweden. The parish is located in Stockholm Municipality in Stockholm County. The parish forms its own pastorship. The parish is located in Västero ...

, Stockholm. In the mid-1950s, his remains were transferred to Nikkaluokta Chapel in

Nikkaluokta Nikkaluokta (; North Sámi: ''Nihkkáluokta''; Meänkieli: ''Nikkulahti'') is a Swedish Sami village in Norrbotten County. The village belongs to Gällivare Municipality, bordering Kiruna Municipality, the closest urban area some 60 kilometers a ...

where he was buried. The chapel where Lilliehöök is buried next to, was built as an initiative of the Swedish Lapland Mountain Men's Club (''De lappländska fjällkarlarnas klubb''), of which Lilliehöök was a long-time chairman.

Dates of rank

*1891 – ''

Underlöjtnant ''Underlöjtnant'' (from the German word '' Unterleutnant'') was the lowest officer rank in the Swedish Army from 1835 to 1937 instead of the previous ranks of ''fänrik'' and cornet. was reintroduced in 1914 with the same position as , from 19 ...

'' *1896 –

Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...

*1904 –

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

*1912 –

Major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

*1915 – Lieutenant colonel *1917 –

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

*1928 – Major general *1934 –

Lieutenant general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was norma ...

Awards and decorations

Swedish

Royal_Order_of_the_Sword_-_Commander_Grand_Cross_BAR

Commander Grand Cross of the

Order of the Sword The Royal Order of the Sword (officially: ''Royal Order of the Sword''; Swedish: ''Kungliga Svärdsorden'') is a Swedish order of chivalry and military decoration created by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748, together with the Or ...

(6 June 1935) * Knight of the

Order of the Polar Star The Royal Order of the Polar Star (Swedish language, Swedish: ''Kungliga Nordstjärneorden''), sometimes translated as the Royal Order of the North Star, is a Swedish order of chivalry created by Frederick I of Sweden, King Frederick I on 23 F ...

(1918) *

SWE_Order_of_Vasa_-_Knight_2nd_Class_BAR

Knight of the

Order of Vasa The Royal Order of Vasa () is a Swedish order of chivalry founded on 29 May 1772 by Gustav III, King Gustav III. It is awarded to Swedish citizens for service to state and society especially in the fields of agriculture, mining and commerce. His ...

(1914) * Shooting Gold Medal * Shooting Plaque * ''Landstormen''s Silver Medal (LandstSM) * Swedish Military Sports Association's gold medal (''Sveriges militära idrottsförbunds guldmedalj'') * CfifGM * Swedish Gymnastic and Sports Clubs' Association's gold medal (''Svenska gymnastik- och idrottsföreningarnas riksförbunds guldmedalj'') * Jämtland County Rifle Association's gold medal (''Jämtlands läns skytteförbunds guldmedalj'') * Iron Medal of the Association for Ski Promotion (''Skidfrämjandets järnmedalj'')

Foreign

FIN_Order_of_the_White_Rose_Commander_1st_Class_BAR

Commander First Class of the

Order of the White Rose of Finland The Order of the White Rose of Finland (; ) is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, and the Order of the Lion of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of all three orders. The ...

* Commander Second Class of the

Order of St. Olav The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav (; or ''Sanct Olafs Orden'', the old Norwegian name) is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav. Just be ...

Officer of the

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

Grand Commander of the

Order of the Dannebrog The Order of the Dannebrog () is a Denmark, Danish order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by Christian V of Denmark, Christian V. Until 1808, membership in the Order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank, who formed a single cla ...

Commander Grand Cross of the

Order of Polonia Restituta The Order of Polonia Restituta (, ) is a Polish state decoration, state Order (decoration), order established 4 February 1921. It is conferred on both military and civilians as well as on alien (law), foreigners for outstanding achievements in ...

Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown * Danish Sports Gold Medal (''Dansk idrottsguldmedalj'')

Honours

*Member of the

Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences The Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences () is one of the Royal Academies in Sweden and was founded on 12 November 1796 by Gustaf Wilhelm af Tibell. The academy is an independent organization and a forum for military (army and air force) and de ...

(1914)

Filmography

*''I gult och blått'' (1942) *''Talarfilm Gösta Lilliehöök och Sixtus Jansson'' (1940)

References

External links

Article
at '' Svenskt biografiskt lexikon'' * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lilliehook, Gosta 1871 births 1952 deaths Swedish Army lieutenant generals People from Sandviken Municipality Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences Swedish sports executives and administrators Commanders Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword Knights of the Order of the Polar Star Knights of the Order of Vasa