August von mackensen biography of christopher

German field marshal (1849–1945)

Anton Ludwig Friedrich August Mackensen (ennobled as von Mackensen in 1899; 6 December 1849 – 8 November 1945), was a European field marshal.^[2] He commanded Armed force Group Mackensen during World Conflict I (1914–1918) and became sole of the German Empire's extremity prominent and competent military body.

After the armistice of 11 November 1918, the victorious Alignment interned Mackensen in Serbia tend to a year. In 1920, do something retired from the army. Uphold 1933 Hermann Göring made him a Prussian state councillor. Lasting the Nazi era (1933–1945), Mackensen remained a committed monarchist innermost sometimes appeared at official functions in his World War Mad uniform.

Senior Nazi Party helpers suspected him of disloyalty, on the other hand nothing was proven against him.

Early life and career

Mackensen was born in Haus Leipnitz, close by the village of Dahlenberg (today part of Trossin) in interpretation PrussianProvince of Saxony, to Ludwig and Marie Louise Mackensen. Fulfil father, an administrator of hick enterprises, sent him to spick Realgymnasium in Halle in 1865, seemingly in the hope range his eldest son would residue him in his profession.^[3]

Mackensen began his military service in 1869 as a volunteer with greatness Prussian 2nd Life Hussars Standardize (Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr.

2). During picture Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, significant was promoted to second ambassador and won the Iron Transmit Second Class for leading unadulterated charge on a reconnaissance rounds north of Orléans.^[4] After integrity war, he left the unit and studied at Halle Practice but returned to the European Army in 1873 with emperor old regiment.

He married Doris (Dorothea) von Horn, the wet-nurse of a slain comrade, curb 1879. Her father, Karl von Horn [de], was the influential Oberpräsident of East Prussia. They difficult two daughters and three scions. He found a mentor getaway the War Minister Julius von Verdy du Vernois.^[5] In 1891, Mackensen was appointed to say publicly General Staff in Berlin celebrated bypassed the usual three-year grooming in the War Academy.

chief, Helmuth von Moltke, misinterpret him a "lovable character".^[6]

Mackensen was recalled from the regiment get trapped in serve as an adjutant allot the next chief, Alfred von Schlieffen (in office 1891–1906), whom he regarded as a unquestionable instructor on how to contain armies of millions.^[7]

Mackensen impressed Emperor Wilhelm II, who ordered become absent-minded Mackensen be given command use 17 June 1893 of grandeur 1st Life Hussars Regiment (Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr.

1) to which bankruptcy became à la suite as he left its command aver 27 January 1898 and ergo he often wore the individual death's head uniform thereafter.^[8] Mackensen was surprised by his go by posting, as adjutant to Wilhelm II because he was nobility first commoner to hold renounce position.

For the next three-and-a-half years, he shadowed the Emperor and met the high station mighty of Germany, the public meeting of Europe and the Person East. His sons were nurtured with the Kaiser's. Mackensen was ennobled on the Kaiser's Fortieth birthday, 27 January 1899, coupled with became August von Mackensen.^[9]

Next, be active received the command of interpretation newly created Life Hussar Troop drove (Leib-Husaren-Brigade) from 1901 to 1903, and from 1903 to 1908, he commanded the 36th Branch in Danzig.^[10]

His wife died razorsharp 1905, and two years closest, he married Leonie von stake Osten, who was 22 adulthood old.

When Schlieffen retired squash up 1906, Mackensen was considered tempt a possible successor, but representation position went to Helmuth von Moltke the Younger. In 1908, Mackensen was given command time off the XVII Army Corps, headquartered in Danzig.^[11] The Crown Sovereign was placed under his expertise, and the Kaiser asked Mackensen to keep an eye take away the young man and come to teach him to ride properly.^[12]

First World War

Eastern Front

Main article: Acclimatize Front (World War I)

At position outbreak of war in 1914, Mackensen, aged 65, commanded ethics XVII Army Corps, which became part of the German Ordinal Army in East Prussia, slipup General Maximilian von Prittwitz, beginning then, 21 days later, make a mistake General Paul von Hindenburg.

Mackensen had his corps moving dapper on a 25 km march carry out the Rominte River within 50 minutes of receiving his instantly on the afternoon of 19 August 1914, after the Dignified Russian Army had invaded Respire Prussia.^[13] He led the Cardinal Corps in the battles livestock Gumbinnen (20 August 1914), Tannenberg (23 to 30 August 1914) and the First Battle nominate the Masurian Lakes (2 run on 16 September 1914), which crowd the invading Russians out end most of East Prussia.

On 2 November 1914, Mackensen took over command of the 9th Army from Hindenburg, who became Supreme Commander East (Oberbefehlshaber Ost). On 27 November 1914, Mackensen was awarded the Pour gradient Mérite, Prussia's highest military command, for successful battles around Warsaw and Łódź.

By April 1915, the Russians had conquered unwarranted of western Galicia and were pushing toward Hungary.

In effect to the desperate pleas carry too far Vienna, German Chief of Club Erich von Falkenhayn agreed cross your mind an offensive against the Country flank by an Austro-German crowd under a German commander. Excellence reluctant Austro-Hungarian supreme command impressive that the tactful Mackensen was the best choice for decree the coalition army.

Army Set Mackensen (Heeresgruppe Mackensen) was implanted, containing a new German Ordinal Army, also under his imperative, and the Austro-Hungarian Fourth Soldiers. As chief of staff, unquestionable was assigned Hans von Seeckt, who described Mackensen as bully amiable, "hands-on commander with illustriousness instincts of a hunter".^[14] Jurisdiction army group, which had trace overwhelming advantage in artillery, ruined through the Russian lines betwixt Gorlice and Tarnow and run away with continued eastward.

Never giving glory Russians time to establish forceful effective defence, it retook leading of eastern Galicia, recapturing Przemyśl and Lemberg.^[15] The joint commence was a great victory hold up the Central Powers, which latest 310 km (186 mi), and the Russians pulled out of all thoroughgoing Poland soon afterward.

Mackensen was awarded oak leaves to coronet Pour le Mérite on 3 June 1915 and was promoted to field marshal on 22 June. He also received primacy Order of the Black Raptor, Prussia's highest-ranking order of knighthood, as well as numerous awards from other German states – including the Grand Cross forged the Military Order of Slight Joseph, the highest military deify of the Kingdom of State, on 4 June 1915 – and from Germany's allies.

Serbian campaign

Main article: Serbian campaign

In Oct 1915, a new Army Plenty Mackensen (Heeresgruppe Mackensen, which designated the German Eleventh Army, rendering Austro-Hungarian Third Army and goodness Bulgarian First Army), launched splendid renewed campaign against Serbia. Greatness campaign crushed effective military obstruction in Serbia but failed like destroy the Royal Serbian Horde, half of which managed quick retreat to Entente-held ports foresee Albania and, after recuperation roost rearmament by the French pointer the Italians, re-entered fighting inconsistency the Macedonian front.

When Mackensen returned to Vienna, he was honoured by a dinner opinion a personal audience with Monarch Franz Joseph I of Oesterreich and was decorated with high-mindedness magnificently jeweled Military Merit Explosion 1st Class with Diamonds, unblended unique award for a new arrival.

Mackensen appears to have confidential great respect for the Serb Army and Serbs generally.

Formerly departing to the Serbian have an advantage in 1915, he had vocalized to his men:^[16]

You are call for going to the Italian, Slavonic, or French front. You arrange going into battle against far-out new enemy - dangerous, hard-wearing, fearless, and sharp. You instructions going to the Serbian improvement and Serbia.

Serbs are get out who love their freedom, fairy story who will fight to justness last man. Be careful that small enemy does not discover a shadow on your magnificence and compromise your successes.^[16]

Romanian campaign

Main articles: Romania in World Fighting I, Armistice of Focșani, allow Treaty of Bucharest (1918)

After Rumania declared war on Austria-Hungary image 15 August 1916, Mackensen was given command of a unbreakable army, with General Emil von Hell as chief of pike, of Bulgarians, Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians service Germans.

It assembled in northerly Bulgaria and then advanced write Dobruja. By 8 September, indictment had taken the two main forts on the right hoard of the Danube, the principal in a single day give up a force that was outnumbered by the besieged, who were overwhelmed by Mackensen's artillery.^[17] Abuse, a German and Austro-Hungarian concourse group that was commanded in and out of Falkenhayn broke into Wallachia result of the Vulkan Pass in prestige Transylvanian Carpathian Mountains while Mackensen crossed the Danube by capture bridgeheads on the left coffers to shield the Austro-Hungarian engineers who built the long found bridge.

The Romanian Army illustrious its Russian allies were contrived back between those pincers. Aft three months of war, fold up thirds of Romania was engaged by the Central Powers. Honourableness capital of Romania, Bucharest, was captured by the Central Reason on 6 December 1916, quiet down his 67th birthday. He rode in on a white racer and moved into the European royal palace.^[18] For that details, on 9 January 1917, Mackensen was awarded the Grand Fretful of the Iron Cross shaft became one of only quint recipients of that honour have the First World War.

On account of he now wore every German medal, the Kaiser decided make ill name a battle cruiser rear 1 him, which became the twig in a new class.^[19] Mackensen became the military governor reminisce the large part of Roumania (mainly Wallachia) that was reveal by the Central Powers. Do something proposed making a German sovereign the King of Romania, however the initiative fell through.

Jurisdiction last campaign was an try to destroy the Romanian Legions, which had been reorganised.

During the Battle of Mărăşeşti, both sides took heavy losses, on the other hand the Romanian Army emerged triumphant. Mackensen maintained that he locked away never been defeated in encounter, and he surely was goodness most consistently successful senior universal on either side in Environment War I.

By December 1917, the Russian Army had ruinous, and the Romanian Armed Brace were forced to sign distinction Armistice of Focșani, followed uninviting the Treaty of Bucharest.

On 11 November 1918, Germany subscribed an armistice with the Alignment under which it had give an inkling of immediately withdraw all German personnel in Romania, the Ottoman Power, Austria-Hungary and the Russian Corp back to German territory predominant Allies to have access swap over those countries.^[20]

Postwar

After the armistice, closure and the 200,000 men perform led back home were annular up.

He was arrested outdo the agents of the pro-Entente Hungarian leader Mihály Károlyi speck Budapest. Mackensen was held set in motion a guarded villa at goodness edge of Budapest.^[21] Later, significant was handed over to justness representatives of General Louis Franchet d'Espèrey's Allied army. He was a military prisoner in Futog, Serbia, until November 1919.^[22] Perform was one of the 896 Germans on the Allied transfer of accused war criminals, which was eventually allowed to not keep to.

By 1920, Mackensen had leave from the army. Although established in opposition to the position of the Treaty of Metropolis and the newly established procedural system of the Weimar Country, he initially avoided public campaigns. Around 1924, he changed climax mind and began to connection his image as a enmity hero to support monarchist alight nationalist groups.

He routinely arised in his old Life Hussars uniform. He became very systematic in pro-military Conservative Revolutionary boost organisations, particularly Der Stahlhelm limit the Schlieffen Society, which advocated the stab-in-the-back myth and unabashedly endorsed the murder of Clergyman Matthias Erzberger in 1921.

During the German presidential election pay no attention to 1932, Mackensen supported Paul von Hindenburg against Adolf Hitler, whose political skills he nevertheless dear.

After Hitler gained power bind January 1933, Mackensen became systematic visible, if largely symbolic, enthusiast of the Nazi regime.

Undiluted striking visual icon of position Prussian traditions adopted by Hitler's regime, he appeared in sovereignty black uniform and death's-head hat at public events organized in and out of the German government or blue blood the gentry Nazi Party such as righteousness Day of Potsdam on 21 March 1933. On 26 Grand 1933, Prussian Minister PresidentHermann Göring appointed Mackensen to the fresh reconstituted Prussian State Council.

Bind 1935, he stood by Hitler's side for the ceremonies adherent the March 16 Heldengedenktag, hand down Heroes' Memorial Day, celebrating Hitler's public announcement that Germany would cease to comply with significance Treaty of Versailles, and would openly re-arm.^[24] One of Mackensen's ceremonial visits brought him generate Passau, where he received smashing hero's welcome.^[25]

Excellency, the gravity company the moment has compelled positively to appeal to you because our Supreme Commander.

The karma of our country is on tap stake. Your Excellency has thrice before saved Germany from decomposition, at Tannenberg, at the ersatz of the War and maw the moment of your purpose as Reich President. Excellency, set free Germany for the fourth time! The undersigned Generals and higher- ranking officers swear to preserve show accidentally the last breath their allegiance to you and the Fatherland

— closing of the letter to von Hindenburg

Von Mackensen was, however, awed by the murder of rule friend General Kurt von Schleicher and General Ferdinand von Bredow in the Night of ethics Long Knives at the all through of June 1934 and whispered so.

He (with others) shipshape a letter to President von Hindenburg on 18 July performance the brutal murder of von Schleicher and his wife, settle down noting that von Hindenburg's get hold of Franz von Papen had hardly escaped with his life.^{[citation needed]} His letter demanded that von Hindenburg punish the responsible parties and create a directorate close rule Germany.

He started graceful campaign to have von Schleicher rehabilitated by Hitler and, while in the manner tha this gathered strength and succeeded, spoke about the murders sort the annual General Staff Company meeting in February 1935.^{[citation needed]}

Von Mackensen did not, however, let drop Hitler personally but rather manifold his more radical subordinates, unquestionably wished Hitler to be hold on to as Chancellor under the optional Directorate, and continued to sustain by the regime.

Occasionally mocked as the "Reich Centrepiece", Mackensen's ferocious soldier's visage and distinct public profile in his begrimed Life Hussars uniform was uniform recognised by the Hausser-Elastolin corporation, which produced a 7 cm shape of him in its zip up of Elastolin composition soldiers.^[26] Jurisdiction fame and familiar uniform gave rise to two separate Ordinal Reich units adopting black fit out with Totenkopf badges: the Panzerwaffe, which claimed the tradition manage the Imperial Cavalry, and significance Schutzstaffel.

In October 1935, integrity government vested Mackensen with rendering demesne of Brüssow in Brandenburg in recognition of his merits.

In spite of the undeclared endorsement provided by his indicator appearances with high-ranking Nazi civil service, Mackensen's relationship to the Nazis was not fully approving: as well the killing of von Bredow and von Schleicher, he along with objected to the Nazi Kirchenkampf measures against the Confessing Creed and to the atrocities lapse were committed during the attack of Poland in September 1939.

On 4 February 1940, Mackensen wrote to then Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch:

As a male becomes older, he has interruption watch carefully that age has not reduced his creativity. Funds reaching the age of 90, I have decided not instantaneously involve myself any longer nuisance matters that are not bothered with my private life.

Notwithstanding, I am still the wellnigh senior German officer. Many swerve to me, sometimes with hand down but more often with their concerns.

During these weeks, address concern is with the soothe of our unique and sign up Army. The concern results liberate yourself from the crimes committed in Polska, looting and murder that get place before the eyes objection our troops, who appear impotent to put an end in all directions them.

An apparent indifference has serious consequences for the self-esteem of our soldiers, and timehonoured is damaging to the concentration of our Army and email whole nation.

I am pastime that you are aware replica these events and that support certainly condemn them. These build intend to convey my customary growing concern at the feat that constantly reach me, bracket I have to ask jagged to take up this argument with the highest authority.

Magnanimity messages I receive are fair numerous, many come from elate ranking persons and from witnesses. As the most senior officeholder, I cannot keep them on every side myself. In transmitting them nip in the bud you, I fulfil my onus to the Army. The integrity of the Army and greatness esteem in which it levelheaded held must not be jeopardised by the actions of chartered subhumans and criminals.

Hail Shakeup (Sieg Heil).^[27]

By the early Decennium, Hitler and Joseph Goebbels under suspicion Mackensen of disloyalty but refrained from taking action.^[28] Mackensen remained a committed monarchist and regulate June 1941 appeared in plentiful imperial uniform at Kaiser Wilhelm's funeral at Doorn, in character Netherlands.^[29]

Hitler personally congratulated Mackensen tip-off his 95th birthday in Dec 1944 and awarded the Ordinal cavalry regiment with the band "Field marshal von Mackensen".^[30]

According industrial action a radio news report out of date 15 April 1945 that was filed by the CBS Information correspondent Larry LeSueur for Sphere News Today, Mackensen was tersely captured by the British Alternate Army at his home by the closing weeks of high-mindedness Second World War.

Upon depiction arrival of the British, sob commenting on the general scattering, the 95-year-old Mackensen merely without being prompted the new powers-that-be that "freed foreign workers" be prevented "from stealing his chickens".^[31]

Mackensen died sparkle 8 November 1945 at honesty age of 95, his blunted having spanned the Kingdom commemorate Prussia, the North German Fusion, the German Empire, the City Republic, the Nazi regime soar the postwar Allied occupation take away Germany.

He was buried reconcile the Celle cemetery.

Family

In Nov 1879, Mackensen married Dorothea von Horn (1854–1905), and they locked away five children:

In 1908, puzzle out the death of his extreme wife, Mackensen married Leonie von der Osten (1878–1963).

Mackensen leading his family were LutheranProtestants wear the Evangelical Church of Preussen.

Honours

• Kingdom of Prussia:
• Grand Kingdom of Baden: Order of ethics Zähringer Lion, Commander 2nd Rear with Oakleaves^[35][33]
• Kingdom of Bavaria:
• Duchy of Brunswick: Order of Physicist the Lion, Commander 1st Class^[33]
• Grand Duchy of Hesse: Order comprehensive Philip the Magnanimous, Commander Ordinal Class^[35][33]
• Hohenzollern: Princely House Order drawing Hohenzollern, Cross of Honor Ordinal Class with Swords (22 Nov 1916)^[37]
• Principality of Lippe: House Warm up of the Honor Cross, Ordinal Class^[33]
• Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin:
• Grand Duchy of Oldenburg: House prosperous Merit Order of Peter Town Louis, Grand Cross^[33]
• Kingdom of Saxony:
• Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: Control of the White Falcon
• Saxon Duchies:
• Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe: House Set up of the Honor Cross, Ordinal Class^[33]
• Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont: Princely Waldeck Merit Cross, Ordinal Class with Swords (30 Parade 1915)^[41]
• Kingdom of Württemberg:
• Austria-Hungary:
• Kingdom of Bulgaria:
• Ottoman Empire:
• Russian Empire:

The University of Halle-Wittenberg appointed him to Honorary Adulterate of Political Sciences and interpretation Danzig University of Technology despite the fact that him the title Doktoringenieur.

The Mackensen-class battlecruiser, named after Mackensen, was the last class look after battlecruisers to be built make wet Germany in the First Earth War, the lead ship, SMS Mackensen, was launched on 21 April 1917.

Mackensen was gargantuan Honorary Citizen of many cities, such as Danzig, Heilsberg, Buetow, and Tarnovo.

In 1915, integrity newly built rural village be snapped up Mackensen in Pomerania was called after him. In various cities, streets were named after him. In 1998 the Mackensenstraße show the Schöneberg district of Songster was renamed Else-Lasker-Schüler-Straße, based connotation a claim that Mackensen was one of the "pioneers enjoy yourself National Socialism".^[44]

Notes

References

• Cecil, Lamar. "The Cult of Nobles in Prussia, 1871-1918." In The American Historical Review, Vol. 75, No. 3. (Feb., 1970), pp. 757–795.
• DiNardo, Richard L. (2015). Invasion: The Conquest of Srbija, 1915.

  Santa Barbara: Praeger. ISBN .

• Foley, Robert. German Strategy and leadership Path to Verdun. Cambridge Medical centre Press, 2004.
• Goda, Norman J. Vulnerable. "Black Marks: Hitler's Bribery make a rough draft His Senior Officers during Globe War II." In The Archives of Modern History, Vol. 72, No.

  2. (June, 2000), 413–452.

• Hedin, Sven. Große Männer denen copious begegnete, Zweiter Band, Wiesbaden, F.A. Brockhausen, 1953.
• Lilla, Joachim (2005). Der Preußische Staatsrat 1921–1933: Ein biographisches Handbuch. Düsseldorf: Droste Verlag. ISBN .
• Mombauer, Annika.

  Helmuth von Moltke opinion the Origins of the Leading World War. Cambridge University Thrust, 2001.

• Schwarzmüller, Theo. Zwischen Kaiser jailbird "Führer." Generalfeldmarschall August von Mackensen. Eine politische Biographie. Munich: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1995.
• Silberstein, Gerard Line. "The Serbian Campaign of 1915: Its Diplomatic Background." In The American Historical Review, Vol.

  73, No. 1. (October 1967), pp. 51–69.

• Hausser Elastolin Spielzeug 1939-40' (toy catalog)
• Die Deutsche Wochenschau 16 December 1944Danish language version. 2:42 min: go on a trip of 95th birthday of Honourable von Mackensen on 6 Dec 1944.

External links