Karl Wilhelm George August Gottfried von Einem (gen. von Rothmaler)
(1.1.1853 - 7.4.1934)
place of birth:  Herzberg/Harz  (Hannover)

Highly regarded colonel general who served as Prussian War Minister prior to the war and commanded a field army during the Great 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, until summer 1903 when he 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 Plan
and fought rapid military expansion for fear of social and political repercussions. 

Fähnrich - 1870

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.