Georg Ludwig Rudolf Maercker
(21.09.1865 - 31.12.1924)
place of birth:  Baldenburg, Westpreußen
Königreich Preußen:  Kmdt Borkum,  Div-Kdr,  Generalmajor


Prussian Generalmajor Georg Maercker served during the Great War as a commander at the regiment, brigade, and division level. During the pre-War years, Maercker enjoyed an unusual career progression in that he was able to deploy throughout the colonial German Empire. After being commissioned in 1885 as Sekonde-Lieutenant, he took a leave of absence in 1888 to work abroad with the German East Africa Company in Tanzania. While there, he soon joined Hermann Wissmann's German expeditionary forces (predecessor to the Kaiserliche Schutztruppe) to help fight in the Abushiri Revolt, also known as the Coastal Rebellion. He later transferred to serve with the incipient Schutztruppe unit engaged in South West Africa.

After returning to Germany, Maercker was sent to Berlin for three years as a student at Prussia's War Academy. During this period, he was additionally part of a German team conducting preliminary research to develop a railway line along the Halys River of Western Turkey (Anatolia.) After graduating from the academy, he was detached to a Reichsmarineamt unit which deployed in 1898 to the so-called Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory of China to conduct survey work. He returned to Germany for a couple years then in 1904 once again processed out of the Prussian military to sail for Africa, this time as part of Germany's Kaiserliche Schutztruppe (Colonial Protection Forces) in German Southwest Africa. He thus saw action as the Germans suppressed the local resistance during the Herero Uprising of 1904-1906. During the fighting, Maercker was severely wounded in the shoulder. Following six years of service there, he returned to  the homeland and in 1913 was assigned as Commandant of the fortress island of Borkum.

When the Great War broke out, Maercker was soon transferred to serve in line units, commanding at the regimental and brigade level before ultimately commanding 214. Infanterie-Division in Flanders during the final year of the War. Maercker's outstanding leadership during battle was recognized by High Command with the Pour le Mérite and oak leaves. Following the November 1918 Armistice, he lead his troops back to Germany for the demobilization process. General Maercker was heavily involved in post-War Germany with the formation of Freikorps troops and was a member of the Stahlhelm paramilitary organization.

	Generalmajor	18.08.1917
	DSW-Afrika Medaille	Deutsch-Südwestafrika, Herero Aufstand  1904-06
	Pour le Mérite	01.10.1917   (Eichenlaub:  03.05.1918)