August von Mackensen

August von Mackensen: A Lifelong Soldier and Monarchist

Imagine a soldier whose life was intertwined with the very fabric of war and politics, a man who witnessed the rise and fall of empires and regimes. This is August von Mackensen, a German field marshal whose career spanned from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

August Ludwig Friedrich August Mackensen was born in Saxony in 1849, into a family of administrators. His journey began at Halle University before he returned to the German Army in 1873. From there, his path was marked by loyalty and dedication, qualities that would define his career.

Was Mackensen’s commitment to monarchism merely a political stance, or did it stem from a deeper personal belief? His first marriage to Doris von Horn and later to Leonie von der Osten, both women of noble birth, certainly aligned with the values he held dear. But what drove his loyalty to the monarchy?

From Adjutant to Field Marshal

Mackensen’s rise through the ranks was steady and significant. He served as adjutant to Kaiser Wilhelm II, a position that granted him access to some of the highest echelons of power in Germany. His military career included commanding various regiments and brigades, eventually leading the XVII Army Corps.

Was his appointment as adjutant not just a testament to his abilities but also a strategic move by the Kaiser to have a loyal officer close at hand? And how did Mackensen’s role in these positions shape his future military campaigns?

The Great War and Beyond

At the outbreak of World War I, Mackensen commanded the XVII Army Corps. His actions during the battles of Gumbinnen, Tannenberg, and the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes were pivotal. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite for his successful battles around Warsaw and Łódź.

But what drove Mackensen’s determination in these early campaigns? Was it a sense of duty or a personal vendetta against the enemy? His promotion to field marshal on June 22, 1915, was a clear sign of his importance. He received several honors, including the Order of the Black Eagle.

After Romania declared war in 1916, Mackensen led a multinational army that advanced into Dobruja and took key forts on the Danube River. The Romanian Army and its Russian allies were forced back between two pincers formed by German and Austro-Hungarian forces led by Falkenhayn.

Was Mackensen’s success in Romania due to his strategic brilliance or simply the result of superior numbers? His performance was rewarded with the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, and he became military governor of occupied Romania. He even proposed making a German prince king, a move that reflected both his ambition and his loyalty.

Post-War and Nazi Era

After World War I, Mackensen was arrested and held as a military prisoner until November 1919. By 1920, he had retired from the army but remained committed to monarchism. In 1932, he supported Paul von Hindenburg against Adolf Hitler, but later joined the Nazi regime in 1933.

Was Mackensen’s support for Hindenburg a strategic move or did he genuinely believe that the old order could be preserved under a different leader? His public appearances with Nazi officials gave him a reputation as the ‘Reich Centrepiece,’ and he received many honors, including Pour le Mérite, Order of the Black Eagle, and Iron Cross.

Was Mackensen’s loyalty to Hitler merely a means to an end, or did he truly believe in the ideology? His public support for the regime was unwavering, even after the murder of his friend General Kurt von Schleicher in 1934. He continued to stand by the regime until his death in 1945.

A Legacy of Service and Controversy

Mackensen’s life was a complex tapestry of loyalty, ambition, and service. His military career spanned decades, from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, and his legacy is marked by both success and controversy.

Was Mackensen a hero or a villain? A loyal soldier or a traitor? The answer lies in how one views history. His contributions to Germany during World War I were significant, but his later support for the Nazi regime raises questions about his true beliefs and motivations.

August von Mackensen’s life is a reminder of the complexities of loyalty and service. He was a soldier who fought for his country, a monarchist who believed in preserving the old order, and a man whose legacy remains controversial to this day.

In the end, August von Mackensen’s story is one of a man caught between tradition and change, duty and ideology. His life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind loyalty and the importance of questioning one’s beliefs in the face of history.