The Last Hussar

Have you heard of August von Mackensen, the "Last Hussar"? Born in 1849 in Saxony, the young Mackensen volunteered to serve in the Prussian 2nd Life Hussar regiment and fought in the Franco Prussian war where he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and awarded the Iron Cross. 

Thanks, perhaps, to a fortunate marriage, he was appointed to the General Staff and found favor with the Kaiser who gave him command of the 1st Life Hussars and went on to make him his personal adjutant, no small honor.

In 1914, Mackensen commanded the XVII Army Corps and led his men aggressively in a number of offensives, including the battles of Tannenberg, Gumbinnen and the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes; he was 65. In 1915 he commanded the German Eleventh Army, which achieved a spectacular victory over the Russians in the Gorlice-Tarnow offensive.

After the war, and now a highly decorated Field Marshall, von Mackensen retired from the army while unsurprisingly supporting monarchist and nationalist causes. This spread over into initial public support for the NSDAP, but reality broke in upon the old warrior. Per the appalling Wikipedia, Mackensen wrote to then Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch in 1940:

As a man becomes older, he has to watch carefully that age has not reduced his creativity. After reaching the age of 90, I have decided not to involve myself any longer with matters that are not concerned with my private life. However, I am still the most senior German officer. Many turn to me, sometimes with wishes but more often with their concerns.

During these weeks, our concern is with the spirit of our unique and successful Army. The concern results from the crimes committed in Poland, looting and murder that take place before the eyes of our troops, who appear unable to put an end to them. An apparent indifference has serious consequences for the morale of our soldiers, and it is damaging to the esteem of our Army and our whole nation.

I am sure that you are aware of these events and that you certainly condemn them. These lines intend to convey my daily growing concern at the reports that constantly reach me, and I have to ask you to take up this matter with the highest authority. The messages I receive are so numerous, many come from high ranking persons and from witnesses. As the most senior officer, I cannot keep them to myself. In transmitting them to you, I fulfil my duty to the Army. The honour of the Army and the esteem in which it is held must not be jeopardised by the actions of hired subhumans and criminals. Hail Victory (Sieg Heil).

In 1941, the Last Hussar appeared at the Kaiser's funeral in his imperial uniform and was apparently viewed with suspicion by the Nazi power, though it seems Hitler admired him and the then ancient warrior was never arrested. It's claimed that Mackensen was the best tactician and commander of World War I and this may be true. He certainly looms out of the Victorian or Napoleonic era into our own, and you can imagine his shock if he were brought back to life today.

Mit Gott für König und Vaterland,

LSP