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     Hans von Plessen        







Hans Georg Hermann von Plessen 
(26.11.1841 - 28.1.1929)
place of birth:  Berlin-Spandau


Kaiser Wilhelm II's orderly aide-de-camp
who had replaced general Adolf von Wittich in 1888. Plessen was a veteran of the War of 1864 versus Denmark, when Kaiser Wilhelm I awarded him a gift sword to commemorate his bravery. He was know to have been very anxious for war, especially against England. By 1918, he was the German Army's oldest living officer, remaining utterly devoted to the Kaiser until his exile.

Von Plessen came from Mecklenburg-Holsteinisch nobility. He married Elisabeth von Langenbeck in January 1874, who was the daughter of the university professor and renowned surgeon Dr med Bernhard von Langenbeck. General von Plessen served as "diensttuender Generaladjutant" (Orderly Adjutant General) from 1892, and was also the Commandant of the Kaiser's Great Headquarters for a time, thus making him one of Wilhelm II's closest confidants. 

 
Assignments and Commands  (pre-War)
11.11.1862 Leutnant
15.06.1866 Austro-Prussian War - 1866 
22.03.1868 Oberleutnant
19.07.1870 Franco-Prussian War - 1870/71
16.04.1872 Hauptmann
18.10.1879 Major
14.07.1885 Oberstleutnant
04.08.1888 Oberst
09.02.1891 Generalmajor
00.00.1892 Diensttuender Generaladjutant Seiner Majestät des Kaisers und Königs - Berlin  (Wilhelm II's Adjutant General)
14.05.1894 Generalleutnant
18.09.1908 Generaloberst
   
Assignments and Commands  (during Great War)
02.08.1914 Oberster Heeresleitung - Koblenz  (Diensttuender Adjutant General and Commandant of Great Headquarters)
   
Pour le Merite:   24 March 1918
ā la suite:  Chef des Reiter-Feldjägerkorps und Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 3 
highest rank:  Generaloberst mit dem Range eines Generalfeldmarschalls

 



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