Robert
Paul Theodor Kosch
(05.04.1856 - 22.12.1942)
place of birth: Glatz, Niederschlesien (Klodzko, PL)
Königreich
Preußen: OBH, General der
Infanterie
Imperial German general Robert
Kosch served during the Great War at the division,
corps, and field army level. He was the youngest of ten children, born
in Silesia to Hermann and Agnes Kosch. Launching his military career in
1874, Kosch earned his way up through the ranks, ultimately commanding
a division in Posen. As War broke out in Europe, Kosch lead his 10th
Infantry Division troops into battle in Lorraine, France.
In October 1914, Kosch was transferred to the
Eastern Front to replace General von Francois at I. Army Corps
headquarters in Lithuania, fighting in support of Hindenburg's Eighth
Army. Here the Germans initially struggled against the numerically
superior Russian forces but were ultimately victorious during the Winter
Battle of Masurian Lakes. It was for his distinguished
service and leadership during this campaign that General Kosch was
awarded the Pour le Merite. In June 1915, Kosch
replaced General von Eben as X. Army Corps commander and in support of
Germany's Südarmee
as they pushed across the River Dniester and
battled at Gnisa Lipa. He was then dispatched to
the Balkan Front, where he had the 101st and 103rd Infantry Divisions
under his command. His troops participated in the routing of Serb
forces during heavy combat in the mountainous region. Kosch was once
again recognized by the Kaiser for his skillful command, this time with
the addition of the oak leaves to his Blue Max.
Generalleutnant Kosch was transferred in
February 1916 to fight near Verdun on the Western Front. Later that
year in August, he was promoted to General der Infanterie and placed in
command of the newly-formed GenKdo Nr 52. This unit was engaged in
Bulgaria, fighting along the Danube Front against the Romanian Army. In
May of 1917, he received command of Ninth Army which pushed the
Romanian forces back to the capital city of Bucharest, which the
Germans captured in short order, sealing Romania's fate. With the
dissolution of the Donau-Armee in March 1918, Kosch and his GenKdo 52
troops were tasked with the occupation of Ukraine. After signing of the
Armistice, Kosch accompanied his soldiers back to the homeland for
demobilization and subsequent retirement. General Kosch passed away in
1942 and was laid to rest in the Invalidenfriedhof in Berlin.
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General
der Infanterie |
18.08.1916 |
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Pour
le Mérite |
20.02.1915
(Eichenlaub: 27.11.1915) |
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