Karl Graf von der Groeben
(17.09.1788 - 13.07.1876)
place of birth:  Schrengen, Ostpreußen  (Linkowo, PL)
Königreich Preußen:  KG,  Generaladjutant SM,  General der Cavallerie

                            


General der Cavallerie Karl von der Groeben was in command of Prussia's VII. Armeekorps and the elite Garde-Korps in Berlin. Karl entered military service as a teenager and saw his first action in the War of the Fourth Coalition 1806-1807 (Vierter Koalitionskrieg). He was decorated with the Pour le Mérite for his exemplary service during the campaign. During the French Invasion of Russia 1812 (Russland Feldzug), he voluntarily left the Prussian military in order to pursue the Russians eastward and was engaged in fighting at Lützen and Bautzen. Although fighting in the German Campaign of 1813-1815 (Befreiungskriege) left him twice wounded, he remained on the frontlines, ultimately participating during the Battle of Waterloo.

During peacetime, von der Groeben served as Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm's II. Armeekorps Chief of Staff from 1824 to 1833. He likewise functioned as the Crown Prince's (later King Friedrich Wilhelm IV.) first adjutant. Generalmajor von der Groeben then held commands of 3. Cavallerie-Brigade in 1834, 14. Division in 1838, and VII. Armeekorps beginning in 1848. In 1842, following promotion to Generalleutnant, von der Groeben was selected as Generaladjutant in King Friedrich Wilhelm IV.'s royal suite.

After participating in the repeling of the so-called Baden Revolution 1848-1849 (Badische Revolution), he was transferred to Berlin in 1853 to succeed General von Prittwitz as commanding general of Prussia's Garde-Korps. In 1854, he was appointed for life to the Preußisches Herrenhaus (Prussian House of Lords). Although General von der Groeben retired from active duty in 1858, he remained as Generaladjutant to Friedrich Wilhelm IV. and to his successor, Kaiser and King Wilhelm I. His sons Georg, Friedrich Wilhelm, and Günther all served at the general rank in the Prussian military.

	General der Cavallerie	26.06.1870
	Eisernes Kreuz II	00.00.0000
	Pour le Mérite	15.06.1809
	Schwarzer Adler-Orden