Peter Eugen Ritter von Benzino
(09.10.1856 - 28.11.1915) - kia
place of birth:  Landstuhl, Pfalz
Königreich Bayern:  Div-Kdr,  General der Infanterie z.D.


Royal Bavarian divisional commander during the Great War. Eugen was born into the home of Carl Benzino and Paulina Hess, daughter of renowned artist Peter von Hess. Eugen von Benzino entered military service in 1875 with the Infantry Leib Regiment in Munich, remaining with that regiment for a total of 31 years. For his meritorious leadership during peacetime, he was awarded in 1907 the Ritter (Knight class) of the Bavarian crown's order of merit - the Verdienstorden der Bayerischen Krone. The official presentation of the decoration elevated him into Bavarian nobility with the title of "Ritter von Benzino." He was additionally promoted to Generalleutnant on 04.05.1910 conferring him the title of Exzellenz (Excellency.)After three years in command of Bavaria's 1. Infanterie-Division headquartered in Munich, Benzino retired and was placed on active reserve status with the brevet to General der Infanterie.

General Ritter von Benzino was placed back on the active duty list as soon as War broke out in August 1914. He was charged with commanding the Bavarian Ersatz Division which was initially engaged on the Western Front in France's Vosges Mountains. His division was deployed between the Maas and Mosel rivers in 1915. During the first few months, they were engaged in the Aillywald region, then the rest of the year around La Vaux Fery (Cow's Head). Ritter von Benzino died in late November 1915 from complications due to lung disease and was replaced by Generalleutnant Eduard Ritter von Graf.

	General der Infanterie	16.12.1914
	Verdst-Ord Bayr-Krone	20.11.1907  Ritter