Robert Paul Theodor Kosch 
(05.04.1856 - 22.12.1942)
place of birth:  Glatz, Niederschlesien
Königreich Preußen:  OBH,  General der Infanterie


Imperial German general Robert Kosch served during the Great War in command at the division, corps, and field army level. He was the youngest of ten children born in Silesia to Hermann and Agnes Kosch. Robert Kosch launched his military career in 1874 when he joined the local regiment in Brieg. He completed the course of study at War College in Berlin and was later assigned to the Prussian General Staff, with a 5-year posting to the Railway Inspector's Office in Cologne. He was promoted to Generalleutnant in 1912 and given command of 10. Infanterie-Division headquartered in Posen.

Exzellenz Kosch remained at the helm of the division as Germany invaded Belgium and France in August 1914. His soldiers were initially engaged against the French in the Lorraine province, fighting in support of General von Strantz's V. Armee-Korps. When Strantz was tasked with leading an Armee-Abteilung, Kosch was placed in temporary command of V. Armee-Korps. He was soon transferred to the Eastern Front to replace General von Francois at I. Armee-Korps headquarters in Lithuania, fighting in support of Hindenburg's 8. Armee. 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. Armee-Korps commander and in support of the German 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 101. Infanterie-Division and 103. Infanterie-Division 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 charge of the newly-formed General-Kommando 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 9. Armee-Oberkommando which pushed the Romanian forces back to the capital city of Bucharest. The German forces captured the capital in short order and thereby sealed Romania's fate. With the dissolution of the Donau-Armee in March 1918, Kosch and his General-Kommando Nr. 52 troops were tasked with the occupation of Ukraine. After signing of the Armistice, he accompanied his soldiers back to the homeland for demobilization and his own subsequent retirement from active duty. General Kosch passed away in 1942 and was laid to rest in the Invaliden-Friedhof in Berlin.

	General der Infanterie	18.08.1916
	Pour le Mérite	20.02.1915  (Eichenlaub:  27.11.1915)