Karl Wilhelm George August Gottfried von Einem 
genannt von Rothmaler
(01.01.1853 - 07.04.1934)
place of birth:  Herzberg/Harz  (Hannover)
Königreich Preußen:  Kriegsminister,  OBH,  Generaloberst (Kav)


Highly regarded Imperial German general who served as Prussian War Minister prior to the Great War and commanded a field army during the war. General von Einem (also known as von Rothmaler) began his military service during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) where he was awarded the Iron Cross as an 18-year old Sekonde-Lieutenant in the cavalry. Over the next few years, he served with various cavalry units and spent over 13 years attached to the Prussian General staff.

Einem-Rothmaler first arrived at the Prussian War Minister in 1898 and spent the next five years working in the Ministry's General War Department (AD.) In the summer of 1903, he replaced Heinrich von Goßler as Prussian War Minister, remaining in the post for the next six years (1903-09.) During this time, Minister von Einem is known for successfully upgrading Prussia's heavy field artillery capabilities. He also championed the introduction of the machine gun and field gray uniform to the Imperial Army, and supported the military use of airships as well. As he left the War Ministry, he was decorated with Prussia's highest order of chivalry, the Schwarzer Adler-Orden (Order of the Black Eagle.) General von Einem-Rothmaler was a fairly independent thinker who openly disagreed with the Schlieffen Plan and fought rapid military expansion for fear of social and political repercussions.

"The hostilities have ceased.  Undefeated, you are terminating the war in enemy country." General Karl von Einem to his Third Army troops at the 11.11.1918 signing of the Armistice (He was one of many German generals who felt betrayed)

In early August 1914, von Einem-Rothmaler went into battle commanding VII. Armee-Korp out of Münster, a corps he'd lead since leaving the War Ministry in 1909. His troops took part in the siege against the forts of Liège, Belgium, then moved south into France with Bülow's 2. Armee, fighting in the Battle of the First Marne. After the Marne, von Einem replaced Max von Hausen as supreme commander of the 3. Armee-Oberkommando, a force he headed up for the remainder of the War. He was awarded the Pour le Merite in 1915 for distinguished service during the winter battles in Champagne (Reims and Argonne). His forces were successful against French attempts at breakthrough in the winter and autumn of 1915 and in 1917 (they were engaged at all three battles of the Aisne,) but his troops were badly mauled by Pershing's AEF during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Sep to Nov 1918.) At War's end, Generaloberst von Einem-Rothmaler was tasked with the return of Army Group Crown Prince Wilhelm's troops to Germany for demobilization.  Karl von Einem died on 7 April 1934 at Mühlheim-Ruhr. 

 
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	Kriegsminister	14.08.1903  -  11.08.1909
	Generaloberst	27.01.1915
	Eisernes Kreuz II	Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871
	Pour le Mérite	16.03.1915   (Eichenlaub:  17.10.1916)
	Militär-St-Heinrich	21.10.1914  Ritter  (20.03.1915:  Kmdr II;  15.10.1918:  Kmdr I)
	Schwarzer Adler	09.03.1909