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Konrad Ernst von Goßler
(28.12.1848 - 07.02.1933)
place of birth: Potsdam, Brandenburg
Königreich
Preußen: KG, General
der Infanterie
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 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
second lieutenant 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 11th Infantry Division for five years in Silesia. After completing
his final assignment at the Mainz Fortress, Goßler retired from active
duty.
He did not hesitate, however, when upon
mobilization Kaiser Wilhelm and the Great General Staff recalled von
Goßler to head up VI. Reserve Corps out of Silesia. The Silesians
fought on the Western Front as part of Crown Prince Wilhelm's Fifth
Army. 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 battled
alongside Germany's First Army. It was for his leadership and bravery
during those engagements that he was recognized with the awarding of
the Pour le Merite. General Goßler retired in February 1917 at the age
of 69 and died in 1933 in Eisenach.
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