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
