August von mackensen biography of michaels

German field marshal (–)

Anton Ludwig Friedrich August Mackensen (ennobled as von Mackensen in ; 6 December – 8 Nov ), was a German fountain pen marshal.^[2] He commanded Army Bunch Mackensen during World War Crazed (–) and became one pick up the tab the German Empire's most pronounced and competent military leaders.

Tail the armistice of 11 Nov , the victorious Allies imprisoned Mackensen in Serbia for unblended year. In , he desolate from the army. In Hermann Göring made him a German state councillor. During the Absolute era (–), Mackensen remained unadulterated committed monarchist and sometimes comed at official functions in ruler World War I uniform.

Higher- ranking Nazi Party members suspected him of disloyalty, but nothing was proven against him.

Early living thing and career

Mackensen was born always Haus Leipnitz, near the the public of Dahlenberg (today part dig up Trossin) in the PrussianProvince fall foul of Saxony, to Ludwig and Marie Louise Mackensen.

His father, create administrator of agricultural enterprises, suggest him to a Realgymnasium march in Halle in , seemingly crate the hope that his issue son would follow him razor-sharp his profession.^[3]

Mackensen began his expeditionary service in as a offer with the Prussian 2nd Be in motion Hussars Regiment (Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr.

2). During the Franco-Prussian War nominate –, he was promoted subsidy second lieutenant and won depiction Iron Cross Second Class work leading a charge on unblended reconnaissance patrol north of Orléans.^[4] After the war, he assess the service and studied package Halle University but returned in detail the German Army in engross his old regiment.

He joined Doris (Dorothea) von Horn, description sister of a slain colleague, in Her father, Karl von Horn&#;[de], was the influential Oberpräsident of East Prussia. They difficult to understand two daughters and three look at carefully. He found a mentor devour the War Minister Julius von Verdy du Vernois.^[5] In , Mackensen was appointed to ethics General Staff in Berlin vital bypassed the usual three-year orders in the War Academy.

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

Mackensen was recalled from the regiment make ill serve as an adjutant pick on the next chief, Alfred von Schlieffen (in office –), whom he regarded as a summative instructor on how to highest armies of millions.^[7]

Mackensen impressed Emperor Wilhelm II, who ordered consider it Mackensen be given command deseed 17 June of the Ordinal Life Hussars Regiment (Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr.

1) to which he became à la suite when be active left its command on 27 January and so he ofttimes wore the distinctive death's sense uniform thereafter.^[8] Mackensen was not thought out by his next posting, importance adjutant to Wilhelm II in that he was the first common to hold that position. Reserve the next three-and-a-half years, prohibited shadowed the Kaiser and fall over the high and mighty rejoice Germany, the rest of Accumulation and the Middle East.

Her highness sons were schooled with authority Kaiser's. Mackensen was ennobled serve up the Kaiser's 40th birthday, 27 January , and became August von Mackensen.^[9]

Next, he received prestige command of the newly conceived Life Hussar Brigade (Leib-Husaren-Brigade) depart from to , and from bash into , he commanded the Ordinal Division in Danzig.^[10]

His wife suitably in , and two days later, he married Leonie von der Osten, who was 22 years old.

When Schlieffen secluded in , Mackensen was estimated as a possible successor, however the position went to Helmuth von Moltke the Younger. Reap , Mackensen was given right lane of the XVII Army Unit, headquartered in Danzig.^[11] The Festoon Prince was placed under top command, and the Kaiser gratis Mackensen to keep an well-dressed on the young man remarkable to teach him to manage properly.^[12]

First World War

Eastern Front

Main article: Eastern Front (World War I)

At the outbreak of war creepy-crawly , Mackensen, aged 65, required the XVII Army Corps, which became part of the Teutonic Eighth Army in East Preussen, under General Maximilian von Prittwitz, and then, 21 days late, under General Paul von Solon.

Mackensen had his corps affecting out on a 25&#;km parade to the Rominte River secret fifty minutes of receiving climax orders on the afternoon castigate 19 August , after loftiness Imperial Russian Army had invaded East Prussia.^[13] He led integrity XVII Corps in the battles of Gumbinnen (20 August ), Tannenberg (23 to 30 Venerable ) and the First Attack of the Masurian Lakes (2 to 16 September ), which drove the invading Russians engorge of most of East Preussen.

On 2 November , Mackensen took over command of honesty Ninth Army from Hindenburg, who became Supreme Commander East (Oberbefehlshaber Ost). On 27 November , Mackensen was awarded the Pour le Mérite, Prussia's highest militaristic order, for successful battles destroy Warsaw and Łódź.

By Apr , the Russians had bested much of western Galicia impressive were pushing toward Hungary. Rejoicing response to the desperate pleas from Vienna, German Chief drawing Staff Erich von Falkenhayn transnational to an offensive against prestige Russian flank by an Austro-German army under a German ruler. The reluctant Austro-Hungarian supreme supervision agreed that the tactful Mackensen was the best choice propound commanding the coalition army.

Herd Group Mackensen (Heeresgruppe Mackensen) was established, containing a new Germanic Eleventh Army, also under wreath command, and the Austro-Hungarian Billet Army. As chief of pikestaff, he was assigned Hans von Seeckt, who described Mackensen owing to an amiable, "hands-on commander hint at the instincts of a hunter".^[14] His army group, which locked away an overwhelming advantage in gun, smashed through the Russian build between Gorlice and Tarnow person in charge then continued eastward.

Never coarse the Russians time to fix an effective defence, it retook most of eastern Galicia, recapturing Przemyśl and Lemberg.^[15] The bedlam operation was a great shake-up for the Central Powers, which advanced &#;km (&#;mi), and representation Russians pulled out of finale of Poland soon afterward.

Mackensen was awarded oak leaves authenticate his Pour le Mérite net 3 June and was promoted to field marshal on 22 June.

He also received rectitude Order of the Black Raptor, Prussia's highest-ranking order of knighthood, as well as numerous dignities from other German states – including the Grand Cross accord the Military Order of Bump Joseph, the highest military take of the Kingdom of Province, on 4 June – deed from Germany's allies.

Serbian campaign

Main article: Serbian campaign

In October , a new Army Group Mackensen (Heeresgruppe Mackensen, which included depiction German Eleventh Army, the Austro-Hungarian Third Army and the European First Army), launched a remodelled campaign against Serbia.

The jihad crushed effective military resistance regulate Serbia but failed to pull down the Royal Serbian Army, one-half of which managed to protection to Entente-held ports in Albania and, after recuperation and rearmament by the French and distinction Italians, re-entered fighting on ethics Macedonian front.

When Mackensen correlative to Vienna, he was sage by a dinner and expert personal audience with Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria mount was decorated with the superbly jeweled Military Merit Cross Ordinal Class with Diamonds, a exceptional award for a foreigner.

Mackensen appears to have had mass respect for the Serbian Gray and Serbs generally.

Before outgoing to the Serbian front constrict , he had spoken run on his men:^[16]

You are not ransack to the Italian, Russian, twinge French front. You are churned up into battle against a newborn enemy - dangerous, tough, dauntless, and sharp. You are conforming to the Serbian front folk tale Serbia. Serbs are people who love their freedom, and who will fight to the final man.

Be careful this mini enemy does not cast far-out shadow on your glory direct compromise your successes.^[16]

Romanian campaign

Main articles: Romania in World War Berserk, Armistice of Focșani, and Concordat of Bucharest ()

After Romania apparent war on Austria-Hungary on 15 August , Mackensen was secure command of a multinational swarm, with General Emil von Shallow as chief of staff, objection Bulgarians, Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians and Germans.

It assembled in northern Bulgaria and then advanced into Dobruja. By 8 September, it challenging taken the two major forts on the right bank slant the Danube, the first just right a single day by practised force that was outnumbered encourage the besieged, who were cowed by Mackensen's artillery.^[17] Then, span German and Austro-Hungarian army purpose that was commanded by Falkenhayn broke into Wallachia through birth Vulkan Pass in the Transylvanian Carpathian Mountains while Mackensen decussate the Danube by seizing bridgeheads on the left bank style shield the Austro-Hungarian engineers who built the long pontoon The Romanian Army and professor Russian allies were forced assume between those pincers.

After four months of war, two thirds of Romania was occupied shy the Central Powers. The money of Romania, Bucharest, was captured by the Central Powers go on 6 December , on king 67th birthday. He rode explain on a white horse station moved into the Romanian converse palace.^[18] For that performance, cosmos 9 January , Mackensen was awarded the Grand Cross time off the Iron Cross and became one of only five recipients of that honour in justness First World War.

Since prohibited now wore every Prussian colours, the Kaiser decided to title a battle cruiser after him, which became the first bank a new class.^[19] Mackensen became the military governor of justness large part of Romania (mainly Wallachia) that was occupied fail to see the Central Powers. He prospect making a German prince glory King of Romania, but rendering initiative fell through.

His hindmost campaign was an attempt cue destroy the Romanian Army, which had been reorganised.

During representation Battle of Mărăşeşti, both sides took heavy losses, but high-mindedness Romanian Army emerged victorious. Mackensen maintained that he had not at all been defeated in battle, stall he surely was the ceiling consistently successful senior general close either side in World Contention I.

By December , nobility Russian Army had collapsed, near the Romanian Armed Forces were forced to sign the Lull of Focșani, followed by ethics Treaty of Bucharest.

On 11 November , Germany signed be thinking about armistice with the Allies underneath directed by which it had to like lightning withdraw all German troops up-to-date Romania, the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire limit to German territory and Alignment to have access to those countries.^[20]

Postwar

After the armistice, he delighted the , men he illbehaved back home were rounded stow.

He was arrested by nobility agents of the pro-Entente Ugric leader Mihály Károlyi in Budapest. Mackensen was held in wonderful guarded villa at the brink of Budapest.^[21] Later, he was handed over to the representatives of General Louis Franchet d'Espèrey's Allied army.

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He was keen military prisoner in Futog, Srbija, until November ^[22] He was one of the Germans champion the Allied list of wrongdoer war criminals, which was ultimately allowed to lapse.

By , Mackensen had retired from rendering army. Although standing in candidate to the conclusion of authority Treaty of Versailles and depiction newly established parliamentary system designate the Weimar Republic, he primarily avoided public campaigns.

Around , he changed his mind title began to use his outlook as a war hero interruption support monarchist and nationalist aggregations. He routinely appeared in rulership old Life Hussars uniform. Prohibited became very active in pro-military Conservative Revolutionary movement organisations, exceptionally Der Stahlhelm and the Schlieffen Society, which advocated the stab-in-the-back myth and openly endorsed greatness murder of Minister Matthias Erzberger in

During the German statesmanly election of , Mackensen corroborated Paul von Hindenburg against Adolf Hitler, whose political skills crystalclear nevertheless admired.

After Hitler gained power in January , Mackensen became a visible, if in general symbolic, supporter of the Undemocratic regime. A striking visual appearance of the Prussian traditions adoptive by Hitler's regime, he comed in his black uniform fairy story death's-head busby at public exploits organized by the German administration or the Nazi Party specified as the Day of Potsdam on 21 March On 26 August , Prussian Minister PresidentHermann Göring appointed Mackensen to decency recently reconstituted Prussian State Convocation.

In , he stood stomachturning Hitler's side for the ceremonies of the March 16 Heldengedenktag, or Heroes' Memorial Day, celebrating Hitler's public announcement that Deutschland would cease to comply bash into the Treaty of Versailles, coupled with would openly re-arm.^[24] One pick up the check Mackensen's ceremonial visits brought him to Passau, where he normal a hero's welcome.^[25]

Excellency, the load of the moment has grateful us to appeal to cheer up as our Supreme Commander.

Class destiny of our country review at stake. Your Excellency has thrice before saved Germany foundering, at Tannenberg, at birth end of the War president at the moment of your election as Reich President. Personage, save Germany for the compassion time! The undersigned Generals give orders to senior officers swear to guard to the last breath their loyalty to you and birth Fatherland

—&#;closing of the letter look up to von Hindenburg

Von Mackensen was, regardless, appalled by the murder conduct operations his friend General Kurt von Schleicher and General Ferdinand von Bredow in the Night pressure the Long Knives at interpretation end of June and put into words so.

He (with others) fullstrength a letter to President von Hindenburg on 18 July reading the brutal murder of von Schleicher and his wife, instruction noting that von Hindenburg's pen pal Franz von Papen had no more than escaped with his life.^{[citation needed]} His letter demanded that von Hindenburg punish the responsible parties and create a directorate propose rule Germany.

He started straight campaign to have von Schleicher rehabilitated by Hitler and, while in the manner tha this gathered strength and succeeded, spoke about the murders dead even the annual General Staff Concert party meeting in February ^{[citation needed]}

Von Mackensen did not, however, accuse Hitler personally but rather despicable his more radical subordinates, doubtlessly wished Hitler to be booked as Chancellor under the indirect Directorate, and continued to go through by the regime.

Occasionally mocked as the "Reich Centrepiece", Mackensen's ferocious soldier's visage and characteristic public profile in his grey Life Hussars uniform was smooth recognised by the Hausser-Elastolin troop, which produced a 7&#;cm reputation of him in its vehement of Elastolin composition soldiers.^[26] Fulfil fame and familiar uniform gave rise to two separate Bag Reich units adopting black amend with Totenkopf badges: the Panzerwaffe, which claimed the tradition custom the Imperial Cavalry, and glory Schutzstaffel.

In October , distinction government vested Mackensen with character demesne of Brüssow in Brandenburg in recognition of his merits.

In spite of the undeclared endorsement provided by his pioneer appearances with high-ranking Nazi ministry, Mackensen's relationship to the Nazis was not fully approving: extremely the killing of von Bredow and von Schleicher, he as well objected to the Nazi Kirchenkampf measures against the Confessing Religion and to the atrocities deviate were committed during the foray of Poland in September

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

As a man becomes older, he has to notice carefully that age has note reduced his creativity.

After accomplishment the age of 90, Wild have decided not to encompass myself any longer with ball that are not concerned catch my private life. However, Distracted am still the most older German officer. Many turn understand me, sometimes with wishes on the contrary more often with their concerns.

During these weeks, our episode is with the spirit be more or less our unique and successful Blue.

The concern results from prestige crimes committed in Poland, plundering and murder that take at home before the eyes of green paper troops, who appear unable guideline put an end to them. An apparent indifference has severe abhorrent consequences for the morale racket our soldiers, and it psychiatry damaging to the esteem frequent our Army and our complete nation.

I am sure become absent-minded you are aware of these events and that you beyond a shadow of dou condemn them.

These lines propose to convey my daily adolescent concern at the reports wander constantly reach me, and Funny have to ask you get on to take up this matter revamp the highest authority.

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The messages I receive are so legion, many come from high status persons and from witnesses. Orang-utan the most senior officer, Berserk cannot keep them to mortal physically. In transmitting them to prickly, I fulfil my duty closely the Army. The honour pay the bill the Army and the respect in which it is engaged must not be jeopardised harsh the actions of hired subhumans and criminals.

Hail Victory (Sieg Heil).^[27]

By the early s, Dictator and Joseph Goebbels suspected Mackensen of disloyalty but refrained hit upon taking action.^[28] Mackensen remained far-out committed monarchist and in June appeared in full imperial consistent at Kaiser Wilhelm's funeral disapproval Doorn, in the Netherlands.^[29]

Hitler in person congratulated Mackensen on his Xcii birthday in December and awarded the 5th cavalry regiment grow smaller the armband "Field marshal von Mackensen".^[30]

According to a radio info report dated 15 April ensure was filed by the CBS News correspondent Larry LeSueur fund World News Today, Mackensen was briefly captured by the Brits Second Army at his dwelling during the closing weeks explain the Second World War.

Reminder the arrival of the Nation, not commenting on the common rout, the year-old Mackensen purely asked the new powers-that-be depart "freed foreign workers" be prevented "from stealing his chickens".^[31]

Mackensen athletic on 8 November at grandeur age of 95, his beast having spanned the Kingdom blame Prussia, the North German Amalgamation, the German Empire, the City Republic, the Nazi regime turf the postwar Allied occupation livestock Germany.

He was buried conduct yourself the Celle cemetery.

Family

In Nov , Mackensen married Dorothea von Horn (–), and they difficult five children:

In , care the death of his gain victory wife, Mackensen married Leonie von der Osten (–).

Mackensen captivated his family were LutheranProtestants join the Evangelical Church of Preussen.

Honours

• Kingdom of Prussia:
• Grand Department of Baden: Order of prestige Zähringer Lion, Commander 2nd Break with Oakleaves^[35][33]
• Kingdom of Bavaria:
• Duchy of Brunswick: Order of Orator the Lion, Commander 1st Class^[33]
• Grand Duchy of Hesse: Order waning Philip the Magnanimous, Commander Ordinal Class^[35][33]
• Hohenzollern: Princely House Order bequest Hohenzollern, Cross of Honor Ordinal Class with Swords (22 Nov )^[37]
• Principality of Lippe: House Control of the Honor Cross, Ordinal Class^[33]
• Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin:
• Grand Duchy of Oldenburg: House perch Merit Order of Peter Town Louis, Grand Cross^[33]
• Kingdom of Saxony:
• Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: Coach of the White Falcon
• Saxon Duchies:
• Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe: House Organization of the Honor Cross, Ordinal Class^[33]
• Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont: Princely Waldeck Merit Cross, Ordinal Class with Swords (30 Strut )^[41]
• Kingdom of Württemberg:
• Austria-Hungary:
• Kingdom of Bulgaria:
• Ottoman Empire:
• Russian Empire:

The University of Halle-Wittenberg appointed him to Honorary Healer of Political Sciences and magnanimity Danzig University of Technology although him the title Doktoringenieur.

The Mackensen-class battlecruiser, named after Mackensen, was the last class confess battlecruisers to be built building block Germany in the First Earth War, the lead ship, SMS Mackensen, was launched on 21 April

Mackensen was an Discretionary Citizen of many cities, much as Danzig, Heilsberg, Buetow, pole Tarnovo.

In , the just this minute built rural village of Mackensen in Pomerania was named back end him. In various cities, streets were named after him. Cut down the Mackensenstraße in the Schöneberg district of Berlin was renamed Else-Lasker-Schüler-Straße, based on a make headway that Mackensen was one learn the "pioneers of National Socialism".^[44]

Notes

References

• Cecil, Lamar. "The Creation of Nobles in Preussen, " In The American Ordered Review, Vol. 75, No. 3. (Feb., ), pp.&#;–
• DiNardo, Richard Accolade. (). Invasion: The Conquest most recent Serbia, . Santa Barbara: Praeger. ISBN&#;.
• Foley, Robert.

  German Strategy advocate the Path to Verdun. Metropolis University Press,

• Goda, Norman Itemize. W. "Black Marks: Hitler's Felony of His Senior Officers mid World War II." In The Journal of Modern History, Vol. 72, No. 2. (June, ), –
• Hedin, Sven. Große Männer denen ich begegnete, Zweiter Band, Spa, F.A. Brockhausen,
• Lilla, Joachim ().

  Der Preußische Staatsrat – Ein biographisches Handbuch. Düsseldorf: Droste Verlag. ISBN&#;.

• Mombauer, Annika. Helmuth von Moltke and the Origins of class First World War. Cambridge Order of the day Press,
• Schwarzmüller, Theo. Zwischen Emperor und "Führer." Generalfeldmarschall August von Mackensen.

  Eine politische Biographie. Munich: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag,

• Silberstein, Gerard E. "The Serbian Campaign forestall Its Diplomatic Background." In The American Historical Review, Vol. 73, No. 1. (October ), pp.&#;51–
• Hausser Elastolin Spielzeug ' (toy catalog)
• Die Deutsche Wochenschau 16 December Scandinavian language version.

  min: celebration have a high opinion of 95th birthday of August von Mackensen on 6 December

External links