Max von Gallwitz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Max von Gallwitz
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Gallwitz on 13 July 1915
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| Born | 2 May 1852 Breslau, Province of Silesia, Kingdom of Prussia (now Wrocław, Republic of Poland) |
| Died | 18 April 1937 (aged 84) Naples, Kingdom of Italy (now Naples, Republic of Italy) |
| Allegiance |  German Empire |
| Service/ |
Army |
| Years of service | 1870–1918 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Guards Reserve Corps Twelfth Army Eleventh Army Second Army Fifth Army Army Group Gallwitz |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Max Karl Wilhelm von Gallwitz (May 2, 1852 – April 18, 1937) was an important German general. He was born in Breslau (now Wrocław), a city in Silesia. General Gallwitz was a key leader during World War I, fighting bravely on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.
Contents
Biography of Max von Gallwitz
Max von Gallwitz grew up in a Catholic family in Breslau. In 1891, he married Friedrike. They had a daughter and a son named Werner. Werner later became a high-ranking officer himself during the Second World War.
Early Military Career
General Gallwitz started World War I as a commander of a large group of soldiers called a corps. His unit, the Guards Reserve Corps, was first on the Western Front. This was the main battle line in France and Belgium. However, he was soon moved to the Eastern Front. There, he joined the Eighth Army under the famous commander Hindenburg.
Key Commands and Battles
In 1915, Gallwitz took charge of a new group of armies. It was first called Armee-Gruppe Gallwitz, and later became the Twelfth Army. He worked with another important general, Mackensen, during the Galicia offensive. Mackensen was leading the Eleventh Army at that time.
Later in 1915, Gallwitz took over command of the Eleventh Army. This happened when Mackensen went to fight in the campaign against Serbia. In 1916, General Gallwitz returned to the Western Front. He led the defense against a major British attack in the Battle of the Somme. He then took command of the 2nd Army and a larger group called Heeresgruppe Gallwitz - Somme. This group controlled both the 1st and 2nd Armies.
From 1916 to 1918, he commanded the Fifth Army in the west. During this time, his troops fought against American forces in the important Battle of Saint-Mihiel.
Life After the War
After he retired from the army, Gallwitz entered politics. He served as a representative in the Reichstag from 1920 to 1924. The Reichstag was like the parliament or main law-making body in Germany at that time. He was a member of the German National People's Party.
Awards and Decorations
General Max von Gallwitz received several high honors for his service:
- Pour le Mérite: This was a very important military award. He received it on July 24, 1915. He was given "Oak Leaves" for it on September 28, 1915, which meant he had earned it again.
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle
- Order of the Black Eagle: He received this award on December 23, 1917.
See also
In Spanish: Max von Gallwitz para niños
