Hans Gaede  
(19.02.1852 - 16.09.1916)
place of birth:  Kolberg, Westpommern  (Kolobrzeg, PL)
Königreich Preußen:  OBH,  Stellv KG,  General der Infanterie z.D.


Imperial German general Hans Gaede participated with distinction in the Franco-Prussian War 1870-71. Gaede took part the 1870 Battle at Gravelotte-St Privat, as well as the sieges at Metz and Paris. He was also wounded in action at Dole. In peacetime Germany, Gaede spent about eight years working at Great General Staff headquarters in the cartographic section. In 1897 he was promoted to Oberst and appointed commandant of Thorn Garrison. He was then promoted to Generalleutnant and given command of the 33. Infanterie-Division in Metz. Some health issues forced the 55-year old Gaede to retire from active duty in 1907.

As Germany mobilized in August 1914, Gaede was recalled to serve as Hoiningen's deputy commander of XIV. Armee-Korps HQ in Karlsruhe. His headquarters soon mobilized and deployed to the front in the nearby Ober-Elsaß area. Remaining on the Vosges front, Gaede was put in command of six Landwehr brigades which on 19 September became Armee-Gruppe Gaede. On 25 November, this unit was redesignated as Armee-Abteilung Gaede, later referred to a Armee-Abteilung "B"  and had responsibility for defense of the Upper Rhine region in Ober-Elsaß. During this time, Gaede was recognized for his distinguished service and leadership with the awarding of Prussia's highest of bravery, the Pour le Mérite. A serious illness forced him to resign his command September 1916, and he succumbed to these infirmities a few days later while undergoing an operation in the hospital at Freiburg im Breisgau.

	General der Infanterie	24.12.1914
	Eisernes Kreuz II	Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871
	Pour le Mérite	25.08.1915