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Karl Wilhelm George
August Gottfried von Einem
gennant 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 lieutenant in the cavalry. Over the next few years,
he split his time serving in cavalry units and on the Great General
staff.
In the summer of 1903 von Einem was selected
as Prussian War Minister
(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. He was a fairly independent thinker who openly
disagreed with the Schlieffen Plan and fought
rapid military expansion for fear of social and political
repercussions.
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"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)
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Leutnant - 1866 |
In early August 1914, von Einem
went into battle commanding VII. Army Corps from Münster,
a corps he'd lead for the previous five years. His troops took part in
the siege against the forts of Liège, Belgium, then moved south into
France with von Bülow's Second
Army, fighting in the Battle of the First Marne.
After the Marne, von Einem replaced Max von Hausen as supreme commander
of the Third Army, 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 they were badly mauled by
Pershing's AEF during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive
(Sep to Nov 1918). At war's end, General von Einem 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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