There's a lot of talk in the blogs about cavalry right now, so it seems right to highlight Field Marshal August Von Mackensen, 1849-1945, a man who spanned a century of remarkable change, from horse to its mechanized equivalent.
Mackensen was an Hussar, Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr. 2, and fought against the French in the Franco-Prussian war, gaining a commission. Marrying well, Mackensen was promoted to the General Staff; Von Moltke, of all people, found him "a lovable character." Very different to other staff officers, such as general Milley.
He became adjutant to the Kaiser, the first commoner to hold such rank, and was duly ennobled in 1899. He served with distinction in WWI, commanding the 9th Army and later, Army Group Mackensen. He was awarded the Pour Le Merite for successful actions. Hans von Seeckt, his Chief of Staff, described him as a "hands-on commander with the instincts of a hunter." Unlike, say, General Milley.
Mackensen was promoted to Field Marshal in 1915, and awarded Oak Leaves to his Pour Le Merite. From there he served in the Balkans, against Serbia and Romania, commanding Heeresgruppe Mackensen. On "6 December 1916, on his 67th birthday, he rode in on a white horse and moved into the Romanian royal palace." Quite unlike US generals, such as Milley.
A remarkable man, by any standard, unlike general Milley. But question, why did Mackensen have less medals than our brilliant war commander General Milley, did he win fewer battles?
Ride On,
LSP
12 comments:
Nobody did Martial Music as well as the Germans, except the Brits when they're not doing show tunes.
Nobody did real Soldiering as well as the Germans, except the Brits when they're not
doing show tunes.
Let it be remembered that the US 26th Cavalry made the last mounted Charge in combat
against the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942. Philippine Scouts led by American Officers successfully delayed the Japanese advance, allowing other troops to get in to the Bataan redoubt. Rode against tanks with 1911 .45s causing surprise, consternation and casualties among their foemen. Unfortunately, the 26th ended up eating their gallant horses and bowing to Mr Nippon.
That campaign led by another excellent American general.
Saw a meme the other day showing milley on the right, similar to as pictured here, and Eisenhower on the left with three ribbons in 'his rack'. Caption on the left was Won a War, on the right Lost a War.
Ever since the Clinton Co-Presidency, one doesn't have to do much to get military medals. Before their term, for example, only the elite special units could wear the beret, now everyone can. Obama started the practice of naming naval vessels and installations for non-military people because "they're heroes too".
When I look at that photo of Field Marshal Mackensen, I can't help but imagine how 'triggered' our Rainbow-Pride military today would be seeing that skull & crossbones on his cap.
We really could use a massive infusion of that Prussian/Junkers blood! Say what you want about Prussia, but Napoleon himself was quoted as saying, "The country of Prussia was not born, it was hatched out of a cannonball."
Well said, and those old boys didn't 'play' silly games. They killed and broke things until the other side gave up. What a concept!!!
So, what's your opinion of Milley?
Anon, I've never really understood the whole show tunes thing. There you are, on a "square" or Royal Enclosure and lo and behold, some band starts playing West Side Story, or worse. How does this help the martial spirit?
It's a powerful meme, Kid, no doubt about it.
Night Wind, Mackensen looms out of the mists of history in a remarkable way. A horse soldier and a gentleman living into an age of soulless bureaucrats, and machine age functionaries. Something like that. See Romano Guardini's The End of The Modern World.
And yes, something needs to be done about all those medals.
Now that, Anon, is a very good quote.
Totally bizarre, NFO!
Ed, I'd say it was clear, he's totally awesome.
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