Georg Gustav Freiherr von Gayl
(25.02.1850 - 03.05.1927)
place of birth: 
 Berlin

Königreich Preußen:  AOK-Stabschef China, General der Infanterie a.D.


Georg Freiherr von Gayl deployed to China in 1900 with Germany's Armee-Oberkommando in Ostasien (Field Army China.) The Germans were in China as part of the Eight Nations Alliance, formed in order to pacify the Boxer Rebellion. Freiherr von Gayl initially served as Commander Alfred von Waldersee's Senior Quartermaster General and later as the Corps' Chief of Staff. After returning to Germany in 1901, he served as Senior Quartermaster at Great General Staff headquarters and later commanded an infantry division. Having retired from active duty as a General der Infanterie in 1908, Freiherr von Gayl became member of the Preußisches Herrenhaus (House of Lords) and travelled to several of Germany's colonies and protectorates.

General der Infanterie a.D. von Gayl was reactivated for service in the Great War in August 1914 and assigned to command 10. Ersatz-Division on the Western Front. In 1917, he was transferred to command 13. Landwehr-Division and remained with this unit until War's end. His outstanding leadership during this time resulted in his receiving Pour le Mérite honors in May 1918.

 
 
General der Infanterie  05.03.1908  ch.
Eisernes Kreuz II Deutsch-Französischer Krieg  1870–1871
China-Denkmünze Ostasiatisches Expeditionskorps  1900-01
Pour le Mérite 08.05.1918
 
 
 

  
   
Curriculum Vitae  
   
12.04.1869 Sekonde-Lieutenant
14.10.1880 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96 - Gera
19.07.1870 Deutsch-Französischer Krieg von 1870–1871   (awarded Iron Cross during Franco-Prussian War)
01.07.1871 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96 - Gera  (Bn Adjutant)
01.01.1872 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96 - Gera  (Rgt Adjutant)
01.10.1873 Preußisches Kriegsakademie - Berlin
00.07.1876 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96 - Gera
20.07.1876 Premier-Lieutenant
11.12.1877 30. Infanterie-Brigade - Koblenz  (Adjutant)
29.04.1879 Großer Generalstab - Berlin  (detached for duty)
13.05.1880 Großer Generalstab - Berlin  (assigned)
03.05.1881 Leib-Grenadier-Regiment „König Friedrich Wilhelm III.“ (1. Brandenburgisches) Nr. 8 - Frankfurt a.d. Oder
23.08.1883 Hauptmann
23.08.1883 Leib-Grenadier-Regiment „König Friedrich Wilhelm III.“ (1. Brandenburgisches) Nr. 8 - Frankfurt a.d. Oder  (Coy Cdr)
03.12.1884 Großer Generalstab - Berlin
24.12.1884 X. Armeekorps - Hannover  (on Albrecht v. Preussen's General Staff)
20.05.1886 8. Infanterie-Division - Erfurt  (Ia on Brandenstein's Staff)
22.03.1889 Major
25.04.1889 IX. Armeekorps - Altona  (Ia on Leszczynski's Staff)
26.11.1892 Infanterie-Regiment „Hamburg“ (2. Hanseatisches) Nr. 76 - Hamburg  (Bn Cdr)
14.05.1894 Oberstleutnant
18.08.1894 Infanterie-Regiment „Hamburg“ (2. Hanseatisches) Nr. 76 - Hamburg  (Rgt Staff)
27.01.1896 IX. Armeekorps - Altona  (Waldersee's Chief of Staff)
22.03.1897 Oberst
25.11.1898 Infanterie-Regiment „Prinz Louis Ferdinand v Preußen“ (2. Magdeburgisches) Nr. 27 - Halberstadt  (Cdr)
22.07.1900 74. Infanterie-Brigade - Stettin  (Provisional Cdr)
12.08.1900 Generalmajor
18.08.1900 Armee-Oberkommando in Ostasien - China  (German Field Army HQ during Boxer Rebellion, Waldersee's Chief of Staff)
21.06.1901 Offizier von der Armee
18.08.1901 rejoins Prussian Army
18.12.1901 14. Infanterie-Brigade - Halberstadt  (Cdr)
27.01.1903 Großer Generalstab, Oberquartiermeister - Berlin  (Senior Quartermaster of the Great General Staff)
18.05.1903 I. Armee-Inspektion - Danzig  (provision Chief of Staff, concurrent with above)
24.04.1904 Generalleutnant
13.02.1906 21. Infanterie-Division - Frankfurt am Main  (Cdr)
05.03.1908 General der Infanterie  (charakter)
05.03.1908 zur Disposition gestellt
13.09.1912 Uniform: Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 27
    
Great War  
02.08.1914 Höherer Ersatz-Kommandeur z.b.V.
20.08.1914 10. Ersatz-Division  (Cdr)
24.05.1917 Offizier von der Armee
20.08.1917 13. Landwehr-Division  (Cdr, replaced Rumschöttel )
02.12.1918 aus der Armee
   
   
 

06.05.1914

 

 

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