Hans Georg Hermann von Plessen 
(26.11.1841 - 28.01.1929)
place of birth:  Berlin-Spandau
Königreich Preußen:  Kmdt des HQs,  Generaladjutant SM,  Generaloberst mdR GFM


General Hans von Plessen was Commandant of Kaiser Wilhelm II's Great Headquarters during the First World War. He also functioned as the Kaiser's Orderly Adjutant General (diensttuender Generaladjutant), thus making him one of Wilhelm II's closest confidants. General von Plessen was known to have been very anxious for war, especially against England, but remained utterly devoted to the Kaiser until his abdication and exile. 

Hans von Plessen entered military service in 1861 as a Three-Year Volunteer. Although active duty during the Second Schleswig War of 1864, he did not participate in the campaign. He instead was deployed in the Rhineland as a Sekonde-Lieutenant with the Ersatz battalion of Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 4. He did later see action at Königgrätz and Alt Rognitz during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Serving as brigade adjutant, he was further engaged in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71 and participated in battles at Orleans and Le Mans. At the outset of the Great War, the 72-year old von Plessen was Kaiser Wilhelm II's Adjutant General and Commandant of Imperial German Headquarters.

General von Plessen came from Mecklenburg-Holsteinisch nobility, his father Hermann having served at the rank of Generalleutnant. His grandfather and great grandfather were both officers in the Prussian military as well. Hans von Plessen married Elisabeth von Langenbeck in January 1874, who was the daughter of the university professor and renowned surgeon Dr. med Bernhard von Langenbeck. The couple had two sons; both served in the Great War, and one lost his life as a fighter pilot.

	Generaloberst	18.09.1908  (Rang als GFM)
	Erinnerungs-Kreuz	Deutscher Krieg  1866
	Eisernes Kreuz II	Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871
	Militär-St. Heinrich	13.01.1915  Ritter
	Pour le Mérite	24.03.1918
	Schwarzer Adler	00