Franz von Bayern

Franz Maria Luitpold Prinz von Bayern
(10.10.1875 -25.1.1957)
place of birth: Gut Samerhof, Starnberg (Bavaria)

Prince Franz of Bavaria served as a brigade- and division-level commander during the Great War. He was the third son of King Ludwig III of Bavaria and thus a prince in the House of Wittelsbach.

Serving as a regimental commander on the Western Front at war's outbreak, Prince Franz was wounded at Vermandovilers. Upon promotion to brigade command, he led troops at Fort Douaumont and Passchendaele. Prince Franz was further promoted to head a divisional command in late 1916 and continued service in the Flanders area, seeing action during the Georg Offensive. He earned both the Military Order of Max Joseph and the Pour le Merite.

Prince Franz was married to Princess Isabella Antonie of Croy, and they had six children. He died in January 1957 and was interred at St. Michaelskirche in Munich.

Assignments and Commands (pre-War)

01.11.1891	Leutnant
10.03.1899	Oberleutnant
09.03.1902	Hauptmann
07.07.1907	Major
23.10.1910	Königlich Bayerisches 1. Schweres ,,Reiter-Regiment Prinz Karl von Bayern” - München (Cdr)
03.03.1911	Oberstleutnant
19.09.1912	Königlich Bayerisches 2. Infanterie-Regiment ,,Kronprinz” - München (Cdr)
23.01.1913	Oberst

Assignments and Commands (during Great War)
02.08.1914	Königlich Bayerisches 2. Infanterie-Regiment Kronprinz
20.10.1914	3. Königlich Bayerische Infanterie-Brigade = 6. Armee
00.00.0000	4. Königlich Bayerische Infanterie-Brigade = 6. Armee
28.10.1916	4. Königlich Bayerische Infanterie-Division (replaced Ernst von Schrott)

Pour le Merite: 16 May 1918
highest rank: Generalmajor