Georg Bruchmüller
(11.12.1863 - 26.1.1948)
place of birth:  Berlin
Königreich Preußen:  Artillerie-Kommandeur, Oberst


Considered the "Father of Modern Artillery" and a genius by many. He served as artillery commander in the 86th Infantry Division (under Hutier) on the eastern front but essentially functioned as the chief advisor of artillery issues on both fronts. He was a proponent of the "creeping barrage" and "hurricane bombardment" of several hours in order to stun the enemy. 

During the First World War years, Bruchmüller was the chief officer in charge of artillery preparation for all major offensives on the eastern front. German troops under his leadership as head of Artillerie- Kommandeur 86 (Arko 86) were attached to several numbered field armies on both fronts and
thus saw action during numerous named operations, including: Operations Michael, Georgette, Blücher, Gneisnau, Marneschutz- Reims, and the abortive Hagen attack.

Georg Bruchmüller was one of only four senior artillery officers to win the Pour le Merite (with Oakleaves). His other war-time decorations included the following: Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class, Saxon Order of Albert, Austrian Military Service Cross, Austrian Order of the Iron Crown 3rd Class, Bavarian Order of Military Merit 3rd Class, and Bremen Hanseatic Cross. He also carried the nickname Durchbruchmüller, a play on his name meaning "Breakthrough Bruchmüller."  He was interestingly not chosen for post-war Reichswehr service and thus retired as a Oberst. However, he was later awarded the brevet rank of Generalmajor (Charakter) on 27 August 1939 for Tannenberg Remembrance Day. Georg Bruchmüller died on 26 Jan 1948 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

	Oberst	18.04.1918
	Pour le Mérite	01.05.1917  (Eichenlaub:  26.03.1918)