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     Hans von Gronau    






Hans Johann Karl Hermann von Gronau  
(6.12.1850 - 22.2.1940)
place of birth:  Alt-Schadow, Beeskow-Storkow  (Brandenburg)


German General of Artillery who commanded IV. Reserves in Kluck's First Army during the German invasion of Belgium and France. On Kluck's extreme right flank during the early September 1914 advance on the Marne, he was concerned about reports of strong enemy forces on his right and attacked in that direction; there he encountered elements of the French Sixth Army to begin the Battle of the Marne. Kluck sent one corps to join Gronau and then wheeled the whole First Army to attack. Gronau's enterprising and decisive leadership saved First Army from encirclement and allowed the German Army to withdraw northwards in relative good order.
 
Assignments and Commands  (pre-War)
21.09.1870 Leutnant
00.00.1871 Brandenburgisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 3 (General-Feldzeugmeister) - Brandenburg an der Havel
00.00.1872 Artillerie- und Ingenieur-Schule - Berlin  (student at Artillery and Engineers Academy)
00.00.1873 Brandenburgisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 3 (General-Feldzeugmeister) Korpsartillerie - Brandenburg a.d. Havel
00.10.1875 Preußische Kriegsakademie - Berlin
01.08.1878 1. Brandenburgisches Feldartillerie-Regt Nr. 3 (General-Feldzeugmeister) - Brandenburg a.d. Havel  (Adjutant-1879)
15.08.1878 Oberleutnant
00.00.1881 Großer Generalstab - Berlin
23.12.1882 Hauptmann
00.00.1886 2. Infanterie-Division - Danzig  (General Staff)
00.00.1888 Feldartillerie-Regiment Großherzog (1. Badisches) Nr. 14 - Karlsruhe  (Coy Cdr)
15.10.1888 Major
00.00.1889 Großer Generalstab - Berlin
00.00.1891 Preußische Kriegsakademie - Berlin  (Instructor)
00.00.1894 Generalstab der Armee
27.01.1894 Oberstleutnant
00.00.1895 Großer Generalstab - Berlin
22.03.1897 Oberst
27.01.1898 1. Ostpreußisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 16 - Königsberg  (Cdr)
01.10.1899 2. Feldartillerie-Brigade - Insterburg  (Cdr)
18.04.1900 Generalmajor
27.10.1903 1. Infanterie-Division - Königsberg  (Cdr)
29.10.1903 Generalleutnant
01.10.1907 General-Gouverneur - Thorn
27.01.1908 General der Artillerie
17.06.1911 außer Dienst
   
Assignments and Commands  (during Great War)
02.08.1914 IV. Reservekorps  =  1. Armee
11.09.1915 XXXXI. Reservekorps
05.08.1916 Armeeabteilung Gronau     (concurrent with above)
   
Pour le Merite:  14 October 1916  (Oakleaves:  6 August 1918)
à la suite:   Feld-Artillerie-Regiment General-Feldzeugmeister (1. Brandenburgisches) Nr. 3 
highest rank:  General der Artillerie


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