Konrad Ernst von Goßler  
(28.12.1848 - 07.02.1933)
place of birth:  Potsdam, Brandenburg
Königreich Preußen:  KG,  General der Infanterie z.D.


Imperial German general Konrad von Goßler commanded VI. Reserve Corps throughout most of the Great War. Prior to the War, he served as Governor of the Mainz Fortress from 1908 through 1910. His father Karl Gustav served as Prussian Chancellor, while his mother, Sophie von Mühler, was the daughter of Justice Minister Heinrich Gottlob von Mühler. Konrad's brother, General of Infantry Heinrich von Goßler, was Prussian War Minister from 1896 to 1903, while brother Wilhelm also served in the military as a Generalleutnant. Goßler's marriage with Klara Klaatsch resulted in four daughters.

General von Goßler began his military career in 1868 as a Fahnenjunker in the grenadier regiment Franz in 1868, having completed his Abitur at the Königsberger Gymnasium. During the Franco-Prussian War 1870-71, he served as a Sekonde-Lieutenant and battalion adjutant in the 2.Garde-Grenadier Landwehr Regiment, participating in the sieges of both Straßburg and later Paris. After the War, he was an officer in the 4. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß in Berlin from 1876 to 1892, eventually serving as a battalion commander in the regiment. He then served as a divisional chief of staff and commanded the 11. Infanterie-Division for five years in Silesia. After completing his final assignment at the Mainz Fortress, Goßler retired from active duty.

Von Goßler did not hesitate, however, when upon mobilization Kaiser Wilhelm II. recalled him to head up VI. Reserve-Korps out of Silesia. The Silesians fought on the Western Front as part of Crown Prince Wilhelm's 5. Armee. The VI. Reserves were engaged in the spring of 1916 at Verdun where they experienced numerous losses. Later that summer, General von Goßler and his reserve troops moved to the River Somme and went into battle as part of Germany's 1. Armee. It was for his leadership and bravery during those engagements that he was recognized with Prussia's highest order of bravery, the Pour le Merite. General Goßler retired in February 1917 at the age of 69 and died in 1933 in Eisenach.

     
     
General der Infanterie 11.09.1907
Eisernes Kreuz II  Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871

Pour le Mérite  10.08.1916
Verdst-Ord Pr-Krone 10.02.1917
 
 
 

  
 
Curriculum Vitae
   
13.03.1868 Offizier-Aspirant
13.03.1868 ,,Kaiser Franz” Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 2 - Berlin
10.10.1868 Portepée-Fähnrich
14.10.1869 Sekonde-Lieutenant
19.07.1870 2.Garde-Grenadier-Landwehr-Regiment - Hamm  (deploys to France with II.Bn)
19.07.1870 Deutsch-Französischer Krieg von 1870–1871  (Combatant in Franco-Prussian War)
02.09.1870 das Königlich Preußische Eiserne Kreuz 1870/71 - 2. Klasse
10.05.1871 ,,Kaiser Franz” Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 2 - Berlin  (Franco-Prussian War ends)
20.12.1872 ,,Kaiser Franz” Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 2 - Berlin  (Bn Adjutant)
01.11.1875 ,,Kaiser Franz” Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 2 - Berlin
12.02.1876 4. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß - Koblenz
18.05.1876 Premier-Lieutenant
13.05.1880 Großer Generalstab - Berlin  (detached to Prussian Great General Staff HQ)
08.11.1881 55. Infanterie-Brigade - Karlsruhe  (detailed as Adjutant, à l.s. 4GdRzF)
22.06.1882 55. Infanterie-Brigade - Karlsruhe  (detailed as Adjutant, à l.s. 2GdRzF)
13.09.1882 Hauptmann
15.11.1883 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß - Berlin  (Coy Cdr)
19.09.1888 Generalstab der Armee - Berlin  (assigned to General Staff of the Army)
19.09.1888 Großer Generalstab - Berlin  (detailed to Great General Staff HQ)
15.10.1888 Major
20.11.1888 6. Infanterie-Division - Brandenburg am Havel  (detailed as First General Staff Officer)
24.03.1890 III. Armee-Korps - Brandenburg am Havel  (detailed as Versen's First General Staff Officer Ia)
17.09.1892 Badisches Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109 - Karlsruhe  (Bn Cdr)
27.01.1894 Oberst-Lieutenant
27.01.1894 Badisches Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109 - Karlsruhe  (Rgt Staff Officer)
17.02.1894 Generalstab der Armee - Berlin  (assigned to General Staff of the Army)
17.02.1894 VI. Armee-Korps - Breslau  (detailed as provisional Chief of Staff)
14.05.1894 VI. Armee-Korps - Breslau  (detailed as Lewinski's Chief of Staff)
06.02.1897 4. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß - Koblenz  (Cdr)
22.03.1897 Oberst
18.04.1900 Generalmajor
18.04.1900 Inspektion der Infanterie-Schulen - Berlin  (Inspector General of Infantry Training Facilities, replaced von Hartmann)
16.06.1900 Generalstab der Armee - Berlin  (assigned to General Staff of the Army, provisional Deputy Chief of Staff)
22.07.1900 Generalstab der Armee, Oberquartiermeister - Berlin  (Deputy Chief of the Great General Staff, concurrent with below)
18.10.1900 I. Armee-Inspektion - Berlin  (detailed as Prince Albrecht's provisional Chief of Staff)
13.05.1902 Persischer Sonnen- und Löwen-Orden - Großoffizier
18.04.1903 Generalleutnant  =  Exzellenz
18.05.1903 11. Infanterie-Division - Breslau  (Cdr, replaced von Ende)
11.09.1907 General der Infanterie
18.01.1908 Königlich Preußischer Roter Adler-Orden - Großkreuz mit Eichenlaub
15.04.1908 Gouvernement der Festung Mainz  (Military Governor of Fortress Mainz)
07.03.1910 zur Disposition gestellt
07.03.1910 à la suite:  „Kaiser Franz“ Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 2
19.03.1910 Großherzoglich Hessischer Verdienst-Orden Philipps des Großmütigen - Großkreuz mit Krone
   
Great War
   
02.08.1914 VI. Reserve-Korps  (Cdr)
01.04.1915 Herzoglich Sachsen-Ernestinischer Haus-Orden - Großkreuz mit Schwertern
15.12.1915 Königlich Sächsischer Albrechts-Orden - Großkreuz mit dem Stern in Gold und Schwertern
10.08.1916 Orden Pour le Mérite
10.02.1917 Verdienst-Orden der Preußischen Krone mit Schwertern
10.02.1917 außer Dienst
11.11.1918 Waffenstillstand von Compiègne  (Armistice)
   
   
 

06.05.1909
 

 

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