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Max Karl Wilhelm von Gallwitz
(2.5.1852 - 18.4.1937)
place of birth: Breslau (Wroclaw,
Silesia)
Artillery officer who was born a commoner. At war's outbreak,
he commanded an independent cavalry corps (three divisions) on Germany's
right flank during the invasion of Belgium. Later commanded the Twelfth Army (1915)
on the Eastern Front and was then sent south to command the Eleventh Army
(1915-16), during which time his forces, under General von Mackensen, helped conquer Serbia.
He led Army Group Gallwitz
during the Somme Offensive of 1916 and also commanded Second Army (1916)
and Fifth Army (1916-18) when he repelled the American thrust into the
St. Mihiel salient, likewise facing the Americans in the Meuse-Argonne.
He also commanded Army Group Gallwitz (1918) in the Verdun sector.
The Silesian general was awarded the Pour le Merite in 1915 for
distinguished
service against Russian forces in Galicia. Von Gallwitz
counseled vigorously
against armistice, preferring a national rally in defense of the
homeland. After war, served in Reichstag as deputy for the German
National People's Party (1920-24). He died on 18 April 1937 in
Naples, Italy.
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"Nowhere else have I seen such brave lions being led by
such lambs."
Commander Max von Gallwitz
* regarding British soldiers at the Somme - June 1916
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Max von Gallwitz
