Erich von Falkenhayn

Erich von Falkenhayn
Albert Meyer · Public domain · source
Name	Erich von Falkenhayn
Birth date	November 11, 1861
Death date	April 8, 1922
Allegiance	German Empire
Rank	General of the Infantry

Erich von Falkenhayn was a prominent German military leader, serving as the Prussian Minister of War and Chief of the German General Staff during World War I. He played a crucial role in shaping German Army strategy, often finding himself at odds with other notable figures, including Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff. Von Falkenhayn's military career was marked by significant events, such as the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme, which involved French and British Army forces. His interactions with other key leaders, like Kaiser Wilhelm II and Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, also had a profound impact on the war effort.

● Early Life and Education

Erich von Falkenhayn was born in Burghau, Province of Silesia, to a family of Prussian nobility. He received his education at the Kadettenhaus in Berlin and later attended the Prussian Military Academy, where he was influenced by the works of Carl von Clausewitz and Helmuth von Moltke the Elder. Von Falkenhayn's early career was marked by assignments in various Prussian Army units, including the Gardekorps and the XVII Corps (German Empire). He also served as a military attaché in Beijing, China, during the Boxer Rebellion, where he interacted with other international forces, such as the Eight-Nation Alliance and the Japanese Army.

● Military Career

Von Falkenhayn's rise through the ranks was rapid, with appointments as the Prussian Minister of War in 1913 and Chief of the German General Staff in 1914. He played a key role in the development of the Schlieffen Plan, a strategic plan for a potential war against France and Russia. Von Falkenhayn's interactions with other notable military leaders, including Helmuth von Moltke the Younger and Erich Ludendorff, helped shape the German Army's strategy during the early years of World War I. He was also involved in the planning of several key battles, such as the Battle of Liège and the Battle of Tannenberg, which involved Russian and Austro-Hungarian Army forces.

● World War I

During World War I, von Falkenhayn was instrumental in the planning and execution of several major battles, including the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme. He often found himself at odds with other notable leaders, such as Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff, who advocated for a more aggressive approach on the Eastern Front. Von Falkenhayn's strategy was focused on the Western Front, where he sought to wear down the French and British Army through a series of bloody battles. The Battle of Verdun, in particular, was a significant turning point in the war, as it led to a massive loss of life on both sides and ultimately failed to achieve its strategic objectives. Other key events, such as the Battle of Cambrai and the Battle of Amiens, also involved Canadian Army and Australian Army forces.

● Later Life and Death

After being relieved of his duties as Chief of the German General Staff in 1916, von Falkenhayn went on to serve as the commander of the Ninth Army (German Empire) on the Romanian Front. He played a key role in the Battle of Târgu Jiu and the Battle of Bucharest, which involved Romanian Army forces. Following the end of World War I, von Falkenhayn retired from military service and went on to write several books about his experiences during the war, including his memoirs, which discussed his interactions with other notable leaders, such as Kaiser Wilhelm II and Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg. He died on April 8, 1922, in Potsdam, Germany, and was buried in the Invalidenfriedhof cemetery, where other notable military leaders, such as Helmuth von Moltke the Elder and Albrecht von Roon, were also laid to rest.

● Legacy

Von Falkenhayn's legacy is complex and multifaceted, with some historians viewing him as a skilled and innovative military leader, while others see him as a ruthless and ineffective strategist. His role in the planning and execution of the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme has been particularly controversial, with some critics arguing that his tactics were overly aggressive and led to unnecessary loss of life. Despite these criticisms, von Falkenhayn remains an important figure in the history of World War I, and his interactions with other notable leaders, such as Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff, continue to be studied by historians and military strategists today, including those at the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. His legacy is also remembered in various institutions, such as the Bundeswehr and the German Federal Archives.