Hans von Plessen

Hans Georg Hermann von Plessen (26 November 1841 – 28 January 1929) was a Prussian Colonel General (German: Generaloberst) and Canon of Brandenburg who held the honorary rank of Generalfeldmarschall in his role as Commandant of the German General Staff during World War I.[1]

Hans von Plessen
Generaloberst von Plessen in 1914
Born26 November 1841
Berlin-Spandau, Kingdom of Prussia
Died28 January 1929(1929-01-28) (aged 87)
Potsdam, Germany
Allegiance
Years of service1861–1918
Rank Generaloberst
Commands held
Battles/warsSecond Schleswig War
Austro-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
Awards

General von Plessen also held the office of His Majesty's Orderly Adjutant General (German: SM diensttuender Generaladjutant) to Kaiser Wilhelm II, thus making him one of the Emperor's closest confidants. By 1918 he was the oldest serving officer in the Imperial German Army, although Paul von Hindenburg falsely claimed this for himself.[2] In 1918, von Plessen was awarded the Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military honor. He remained devoted to the Kaiser until the collapse of the monarchy in November, 1918.[1]

General von Plessen (center) observes Wilhelm II speaking with General Otto von Emmich, victor of the Battle of Liège, 1914

Awards

Plessen was amongst the most highly decorated officers, with a total of 88 national and international medals, including 51 large crosses.[1]

Dates of rank

References

  1. M. Naumann: Die Plessen. Stammfolge vom XIII. bis XX. Jahrhundert. Limburg an der Lahn: Starke Verlag, 1971]
  2. Hans von Plessen Archived 2012-11-12 at the Wayback Machine at The Prussian Machine, retrieved 08-Aug-2012
  3. Hof- und Staatshandbuch des Königreichs Württemberg 1907, Seite 50
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