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Karl Wilhelm George August Gottfried von Einem
gennant von Rothmaler
(01.01.1853 - 07.04.1934)
place of birth: Herzberg/Harz (Hannover)
Königreich
Preußen: Kriegsminister; Generaloberst (Kav)
Highly
regarded Imperial German general
who served as Prussian War Minister prior to the Great War and commanded a field army
during the war. General von Einem (also known as von Rothmaler) began his military service during the Franco-Prussian
War (1870-71) where he was awarded the Iron Cross as an 18-year old lieutenant
in the cavalry. Over the next few years, he split his time serving
in cavalry units and on the Great General staff.
In the summer of 1903 von Einem was selected as Prussian War Minister
(1903-09). During
this time, Minister von Einem is known for successfully upgrading
Prussia's heavy field
artillery capabilities. He also championed the introduction of
the machine gun and field gray uniform to the Imperial Army, and
supported the military use of airships as well. He was
a fairly independent thinker who openly disagreed with the Schlieffen Planand fought
rapid military expansion for fear of social and political repercussions.
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"The
hostilities have ceased. Undefeated, you are terminating the
war in enemy country."
General Karl von
Einem
to his Third Army troops at the 11.11.1918 signing of the
Armistice
(He was one of many German generals who felt betrayed) |
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Leutnant - 1866 |
In early August 1914, von Einem
went into battle commanding VII. Army Corps from Münster,
a corps he'd lead for the previous five years. His troops took part in
the siege against the forts of Liège, Belgium, then moved south into
France with von Bülow's Second Army, fighting in
the Battle of the First Marne. After the Marne, von Einem
replaced Max von Hausen as supreme commander of the Third Army, a force
he headed up for the remainder of the war. He was awarded the Pour le
Merite in 1915 for distinguished service during the winter battles
in Champagne (Reims and Argonne). His forces were
successful against French attempts at breakthrough in the winter and
autumn of 1915 and in 1917 (they were engaged at all three battles of
the Aisne), but they were badly mauled by Pershing's AEF during
the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Sep to Nov 1918). At war's end,
General von Einem was tasked with the return of Army Group Crown Prince
Wilhelm's troops to Germany for demobilization. Karl von Einem
died on 7 April 1934 at Mühlheim-Ruhr.
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Generaloberst
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27.01.1915 |
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Eisernes
Kreuz II .............. |
Deutsch-Französischer
Krieg 1870–1871 |
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Pour
le Mérite .................... |
16.03.1915
(Eichenlaub: 17.10.1916) |
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