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


German general and skillful commander of the Maas-Armee (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 successful siege, von Emmich resumed command of his X. Armee-Korps headquarters, carrying out operations at Namur, St. Quentin, Petit Morin, and near Reims until April 1915. At that point, Emmich and his corps were transported to Galicia on the Eastern Front, where they fought alongside General von Mackensen and 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 while his troops were returned to the Western Front, he instead left for convalescent leave in Hannover. Emmich was replaced by General Walter von Lüttwitz as commander of X. Armee-Korps. General von Emmich meanwhile was not able to recover and succumbed to his illness on 22 December 1915.

The future General von Emmich was born in Westphalia to the family of Colonel Theodor von Emmich. Fairly short in stature at 5'4", he entered military service on 3 July 1866, the very day on which the Battle of Königgrätz began. The image to the right depicts Emmich as a Sekonde-Lieutenant in 1872. He spent the first ten years of his career serving with the 6. Westfälisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 55 at Detmold, also serving with this unit during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. There 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 and thus elevated into the Prussian nobility.


                                               
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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)