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Karl Friedrich Wilhelm von Witzendorff
(28.04.1824 - 23.03.1891)
place of birth: Scharnebeck, Niedersachsen
Königreich
Preußen: KG,
General der Cavallerie
Prussian cavalry officer von Witzendorff was the commander of Prussia's VII. Armeekorps from 1882
to 1888. Karl launched his service career in 1841 when he enlisted with 8.
Ulanen-Regiment in Trier. He was commissioned as Sekonde-Lieutenant in October
1842. As a Hauptmann, Witzendorff was detached in 1859 to the General Staff of
the Army and named personal adjutant to Friedrich Karl Prinz von Preußen.
Karl von Witzendorff was serving on the Prince's staff as
they took part in the Danish War of 1864
(Deutsch-Dänischer Krieg) and were engaged in the attack on Düppeler
Schanzen (Dybbol). He was transferred shortly prior to war's end to head up
the Military Riding Academy in Schwedt, where he instituted sweeping
improvements in horsemanship training for cavalry officers. As Prussia mobilized
for the 1866 War with Austria (Deutscher Krieg), Witzendorff was chosen
as chief of staff for the cavalry corps of General Albrecht von Preußen's 1.
Armee. His participation in battles at Königgrätz,
Münchengrätz, and Gitschin resulted in his being decorated with
the Pour le Mérite.
Witzendorff was transferred
in November 1869 to Koblenz where he General Herwarth von Bittenfeld's
chief of staff at VIII. Armeekorps headquarters. It was in this role that he
went to battle during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 (Deutsch-Französischer Krieg),
with General von Groeben as VIII. Corps commander. Witzendorff's valor and
leadership during the conflict earned him both classes of the Iron Cross, as
well as the Oak leaf cluster for his Blue Max decoration. With promotion to
General-Lieutenant on 21 November 1876, he was named commander of the
Kavallerie-Division of XV. Armeekorps. After commanding 14. Division from 1879
to 1882, he was tasked with leading VII. Armeekorps headquarters in Münster and
was promoted to General der Cavallerie in September 1884. As Wilhelm II. took
the imperial throne, Witzendorff's health condition worsened and forced him in
August 1888 to retire from active duty.
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General
der Cavallerie |
20.09.1884 |
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Pour
le Mérite |
00.00.1866 (Eichenlaub:
24.02.1871) |
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Eisernes
Kreuz I |
Deutsch-Französischer
Krieg 1870–1871 |
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