Erich Victor Carl August Franke
(21.07.1866 - 07.09.1936)
place of birth:  Zuckmantel
Königreich Preußen:  Kdr Schutztruppe,  Oberstleutnant


Victor Franke was Germany's last commander of the Colonial Protection Forces (Kaiserliche Schutztruppe) in German South West Africa. He left the Prussian Army in 1896 and transferred to Schutztruppe service in Windhoek, South West Africa. From 1896 to 1903 and at the rank of Premier-Lieutenant, Franke functioned as a District Commander in Otjimbingwe, Omaruru, Outjo, and Sesfontein. As a Hauptmann in 1904, Franke was leading his company in skirmishes with the Bondelswart in the southern part of South West Africa, when they got news of the Herero Rebellion 400 km to the north. They conducted an unprecedented forced march over four and a half days in order to help drive the Herero out of Okahandja and Omaruru. For this action, Franke was awarded the Pour le Merite medal in November 1905.

A few months after Germany mobilized for the First World War, Victor Franke was selected to command the Schutztruppe in South West Africa, replacing Oberstleutnant von Heydebreck who was killed in a training accident. During the July 1915 Khorab battle with South African Union Defence forces, Commander Franke ultimately chose to sign a capitulation protocol and was imprisoned with his soldiers in Okawajo until War's end.  Although this saved his numerically overwhelmed side from complete annihilation, his action was later viewed by some circles as dishonorable. He finally returned to his German homeland in 1919. In 1920, President Ebert awarded Franke with the brevet rank of Generalmajor as he retired from active military duty.

	Oberstleutnant	20.01.1915
	DSW-Afrika Medaille	Schutztruppe für Deutsch-Südwestafrika 1895-1915
	Pour le Mérite	02.11.1905