Franz Samuel Ludwig Francke
(28.06.1863 - 02.01.1925)
place of birth:  Ober-Eula, Sachsen (Saxony)
Königreich Sachsen:  Div-Kdr,  Generalleutnant


General Franz Francke commanded units during the Great War at the regiment, brigade, and division level. In the years leading up to World War One, Francke functioned for four years (1908 to 1912) as Hermann von Broizem's Chief of Staff at XII. Armeekorps headquarters in Dresden. He then received command of Infantry Regiment, the troops which he lead into battle on 2 August 1914.

Upon having pushed through Belgium, his troops distinguished themselves during the First Battle of the Marne. For his leadership during this campaign, Francke was awarded the Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross) of Saxony's highest military order - the Militär-St-Heinrich-Orden. He was then transferred to 63rd Infantry Brigade which he headed up for over a year during trench warfare on the Western Front.

After receiving a promotion to Generalmajor, Francke was tasked in July 1916 with forming an ad hoc division-level unit "Division Francke" for engagement during the Battle of the Somme. The division was made up of troops from Leib-Grenadier Regiment Nr. 100, Infanterie-Regiments Nr. 102 and 103, along with Saxon Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 12.  For his actions and leadership, Francke was additionally awarded the Kommandeurkreuz II class of the Militär-St-Heinrich-Orden medal.