Hans Georg Hermann von Plessen 
(26.11.1841 - 28.01.1929)
place of birth:  Berlin-Spandau
Königreich Preußen:  Kommandt 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  (mit dem Range als GFM)
Erinnerungs-Kreuz Deutscher Krieg  1866

Eisernes Kreuz II  Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871

Pour le Mérite  24.03.1918
Schwarzer Adler-Orden  
 
 
 

  
 
Curriculum Vitae
   
00.09.1861 ,,Kaiser Franz Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 2 - Berlin  (Dreijährig-Einwilliger)
11.11.1862 Sekonde-Lieutenant
00.00.0000 ,,Königin Augusta Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 4 - Berlin
01.02.1864 Deutsch-Dänischer Krieg von 1864   (non-combatant)
15.06.1866 Der Deutscher Krieg von 1866   (participant in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866) 
00.06.1866 Preußische Kriegsakademie - Berlin
22.03.1868 1. Großherzoglich Mecklenburgisches Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 89 - Schwerin
22.03.1868 Premier-Lieutenant
19.07.1870 Deutsch-Französischer Krieg von 1870–1871   (awarded Iron Cross during Franco-Prussian War)
00.10.1870 34. Infanterie-Brigade  (transferred during the War to serve as Brigade Adjutant) 
00.05.1871 Großer Generalstab - Berlin
16.04.1872 Hauptmann
24.05.1877 1. Garde-Infanterie-Division - Berlin  (on von Pape and von Kleist's general staff)
18.05.1879 Major
00.12.1879 Flügeladjutant SM des Kaisers und Königs  (aide-de-camp in HM Wilhelm I's court)
14.07.1885 Oberst-Lieutenant
27.01.1888 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß - Potsdam  (Cdr)
04.08.1888 Oberst
09.02.1891 55. Infanterie-Brigade - Karlsruhe  (Cdr) 
09.02.1891 Generalmajor
29.12.1892 Kommandant & diensttuender Generaladjutant SM des Kaisers u Königs  (Commandant & Orderly Adj General in Wilhelm II's court)
14.05.1894 General-Lieutenant
22.03.1899 General der Infanterie
18.09.1907 Chef des Reitenden Feldjäger-Korps - Berlin  (Chief of Mounted Feldjäger, replaced Franz von Werder)
18.09.1908 Generaloberst  (mit dem Range als GFM)
   
Great War
   
02.08.1914 Kommandant & diensttuender Generaladjutant SM des Kaisers u Königs  (Commandant & Orderly Adj General in Wilhelm II's court)
   
   
 

06.05.1914

 

 

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