Albert Theodor Otto von Emmich  
(04.04.1848 - 22.12.1915)
place of birth:  Minden, Westfalen  (Prussian Westphalia)
Königreich Preußen:  KG,  General der Infanterie


German general and skillful commander of the Maas Army (Army of the Meuse), a 60,000 strong task force assigned to conduct the initial engagement of the Great War, a 10-day battle for the fortress town of Liege. Von Emmich successfully lead this six brigade, three cavalry division-strong reinforced detachment as they systematically took out Liege's twelve fortresses and main citadel. For this effort, he became the first
German soldier during the war to receive the coveted Pour le Merite award.

Following the siege, von Emmich resumed command of his X.Army Corps, carrying out operations near Reims until April 1915. He and his corps were then sent to Galicia on the Eastern Front, where they fought with General von Mackensen and were successfully engaged in battles at Gorlice-Tarnow and the Fortress of Lemberg. In early autumn of 1915, von Emmich became ill in the field and was replaced as X.Corps commander by General Walter von Lüttwitz. He returned to Germany to recuperate but succumbed to his sickness, dying on 22 December 1915 in Hannover.

The future General von Emmich was born in Westphalia to the family of Colonel Theoder von Emmich. Fairly short in stature (he was 5'4"), he entered military service on 3 July 1866, the very day on which the Battle of Königgrätz began. He spent the next ten years with the 55th Infantry Regiment in Detmold, fighting with this unit during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. He saw action at Gravelotte and Colombay where he was awarded the Iron Cross for his bravery. While serving with this regiment, he also became fast friends with Alexander von Kluck, a future field army commander during the Great War. Von Emmich was beknighted by Wilhelm II in 1912 on the Kaiser's birthday.


                                               
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"General, you have nobly protected your forts. Keep your sword...to have crossed swords with you has been an honor, sir." General of Infantry Otto von Emmich * Aug 1914 - to Liege garrison commander Lt Gen Leman, upon his capture

	General der Infanterie	29.05.1909
	Eisernes Kreuz II	Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871
	Pour le Mérite	07.08.1914   (Eichenlaub:  14.05.1915)