Manfred Karl Ernst Freiherr von Richthofen 
(24.05.1855 - 28.11.1939)
place of birth:  Gut Barzdorf, Schlesien  (Bartoszcówek, Poland)
Königreich Preußen:  KG,  Stellv KG,  General der Kavallerie


Prussian cavalry officer Manfred von Richthofen commanded a cavalry corps and reserve corps during the First World War. Prior to the hostilities, Baron von Richthofen simultaneously served as head of the prestigious Regiment der Gardes du Corps and aide-de-camp in Kaiser Wilhelm II's imperial entourage. Prussian Chief of General Staff Karl von Grolman was Freiherr von Richthofen's grandfather. In turn, Richthofen was the adoptive father and uncle of Second World War Luftwaffe Commander, Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen. He was also the great uncle of his more famous namesake and world renowned fighter pilot, the Red Baron.

On Germany's day of mobilization, Generalleutnant von Richthofen was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Corps (HKK1) which initially fought in support of Exzellenz von Hausen's Third Army as they advanced through Belgium and on southward toward the River Marne. In November 1914, Richthofen's HKK1 was transferred to the Eastern Front. There his troops played a key role during the Battle of Lodz as von Scheffer-Boyadel's encircled XXV. Reserve Corps was able to punch through the Russian First and Second Armies and secure a costly victory for the German Ninth Army.

As the War progressed, von Richthofen also had charge of the XXV. Reserve Corps and later Generalkommando Nr. 53. At War's end, Baron von Richthofen surrendered the Berlin Palace without defending it, preferring rather to preserve the edifice and artwork therein. General von Richthofen died in November 1939 at his Barzdorf estate near present-day Targoszyn, Poland.

 
 
General der Kavallerie  16.09.1917

Pour le Mérite  18.01.1918
 
 
 

  
 
              Curriculum Vitae 
   
23.04.1874 Portepée-Fähnrich
23.04.1874 Kürassier-Regiment ,,von Driesen (Westfälisches) Nr. 4 - Münster
11.01.1876 Sekonde-Lieutenant
00.00.1876 Garde-Ulanen-Regiment Nr. 3 - Potsdam
12.01.1886 Premier-Lieutenant
23.05.1890 Rittmeister
10.09.1897 Major
22.04.1902 Regiment der Gardes-du-Corps - Potsdam  (provisional Cdr)
10.06.1903 Oberstleutnant
10.06.1903 Regiment der Gardes-du-Corps - Potsdam  (Cdr)
10.06.1903 Flügeladjutant SM des Kaiser und Königs  (ADC in HM Wilhelm II's court)
10.04.1906 Oberst
21.03.1908 2. Garde-Kavallerie-Brigade - Potsdam  (Cdr)
20.04.1910 Generalmajor
18.02.1913 Generalleutnant
18.02.1913 Garde-Kavallerie-Division - Berlin  (Cdr, replaced von Hertzberg) 
03.12.1913 unknown
03.02.1914 6. Infanterie Division - Brandenburg  (Cdr, replaced Sigismund von Förster)
   
                     Great War
   
02.08.1914 Höherer Kavallerie Kommandeur Nr. 1  =  3. Armee
23.09.1916 XXXVIII. Reservekorps  (replaced Max Hofmann)
19.11.1916 XXV. Reservekorps  (replaced Karl Suren)
08.03.1917 Generalkommando z.b.V. Nr. 53  (replaced Konstanz von Heineccius)
16.09.1917 General der Kavallerie
18.01.1918 Gardekorps - Berlin, Stellvertrender KG  (Acting Cdr at Guard Corps HQ, concurrent with below)
18.04.1918 Reichsmilitär-Gericht, Vertreter des Präsidents - Berlin  (von Kirchbach and Lyncker's Deputy at Court of Military Justice)
10.11.1918 außer Dienst
   
   
 

06.05.1914

 

 

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