Berthold von Deimling

Berthold von Deimling
Berthold von Deimling
Nickname(s)Butcher of Ypres
Born21 March 1853
Karlsruhe, Grand Duchy of Baden
Died3 February 1944(1944-02-03) (aged 90)
Baden-Baden, Germany
Allegiance Baden
 German Empire
Service / branch Imperial German Army
Years of service1871–1917
RankGeneral der Infantarie
Commands
Battles / warsHerero Wars
World War I
AwardsPour le Mérite

Berthold Karl Adolf von Deimling (21 March 1853 – 3 February 1944) was a general officer of the German Army during World War I.

Deimling entered the army in 1871, following the Franco-Prussian War, and after working on the General Staff and in German South-West Africa rose to command a brigade of infantry in 1907.[1]

On the outbreak of the First World War, Deimling was in command of the XV Corps near the Swiss border and commanded them during the Battle of Mulhouse.[2] He would later command forces in the First Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite on 28 August 1916.

After the war Deimling became a committed pacifist and a member of the board of directors of the German Peace Society (DFG). He was a member of the German Democratic Party. He died in Baden-Baden.

See also

References

  1. ^ Who's Who - firstworldwar.com
  2. ^ Hot spots on the Swiss border - Oswald Schwitter