Gustav von Kessel

Gustav Emil Bernhard Bodo von Kessel (6 April 1846 – 28 May 1918) was a German general who served in the Austro-Prussian War, the Franco-Prussian War and World War I.

Gustav von Kessel
Born(1846-04-06)6 April 1846
Potsdam, Kingdom of Prussia, German Confederation
Died28 May 1918(1918-05-28) (aged 72)
Berlin, German Empire
Allegiance Kingdom of Prussia
 German Empire
Service/branchPrussian Army
Years of service1864–1918
RankGeneraloberst
Commands held1st Foot Guards
2nd Guards Infantry Division
1st Guards Infantry Division
Guard Corps
Governor of Berlin
Battles/warsAustro-Prussian War

Franco-Prussian War

World War I
AwardsOrder of the Black Eagle
Order of the Red Eagle
Royal Victorian Order

Biography

Gustav von Kessel was born on 6 April 1846 in Potsdam, Prussia. He came from a Prussian military family that produced several generals and politicians, including his father Generalmajor Emil von Kessel. He attended various schools, including the Liegnitz Ritter-Akademie, and in 1864 enlisted in the 1st Foot Guards; being commissioned as Sekondeleutnant a year later. He participated in the Austro-Prussian War, being wounded at the Battle of Königgrätz, and the Franco-Prussian War, being wounded at the Battle of Gravelotte.

He was promoted to Premierleutnant in 1872, went to the Prussian Staff College, served a tour in the German General Staff and was made Hauptmann in command of a company in 1878. Later he became adjutant to the crown prince Friedrich Wilhelm, who'd briefly rule as Emperor Frederick III before dying from cancer. With the later's son Wilhelm II ascending to the throne; von Kessel again served the sovereign as adjutant. Continuing to climb the career ladder; he became a Generalmajor in 1896 and three years later a Generalleutnant and Generaladjutant to the Emperor.

As imperial adjutant posts frequently were coupled with positions in the guards; he led his old regiment, the brigade and both the 2nd and 1st guards infantry divisions before eventually receiving command of the Guard Corps in 1902.

From 1909 onwards von Kessel was Military Governor of Berlin and the surrounding province, serving on said post throughout World War I. When the strikes took place from January of 1918, Kessel suppressed the strikes using militaries. He died on 28 May 1918, and Alexander von Linsingen was his successor.

Honours

Among his orders and decorations were:[1][2]

German honours
Foreign honours
Military appointments
  • Regimentschef of the 20th (3rd Brandenburg) Infantry Regiment "Count Tauentzien von Wittenberg"

See also

References
  1. Rangliste, p. 45
  2. "Gustav Emil Bernhard Bodo von Kessel". the Prussian Machine. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  3. Hof- und Staats-Handbuch des Großherzogtum Baden (1910), "Großherzogliche Orden", pp. 62, 195
  4. "Ritter-Orden", Hof- und Staatshandbuch der Österreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie, 1918, pp. 75, 77 133, 268, retrieved 27 March 2021
  5. Bille-Hansen, A. C.; Holck, Harald, eds. (1916) [1st pub.:1801]. Statshaandbog for Kongeriget Danmark for Aaret 1916 [State Manual of the Kingdom of Denmark for the Year 1916] (PDF). Kongelig Dansk Hof- og Statskalender (in Danish). Copenhagen: J.H. Schultz A.-S. Universitetsbogtrykkeri. pp. 13–14. Retrieved 29 March 2021 – via da:DIS Danmark.
  6. "Den kongelige norske Sanct Olavs Orden", Norges Statskalender (in Norwegian), 1910, p. 913-914 – via hathitrust.org
  7. "Real Orden de Isabel la Católica". Guía Oficial de España (in Spanish). 1917. p. 250. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  8. Sveriges statskalender (PDF) (in Swedish), 1912, p. 519, retrieved 19 March 2021 – via gupea.ub.gu.se
  9. The London Gazette, p. 694

Sources
  • Rangliste der Königlich Preußischen Armee und des XIII. (Königlich Württembergischen) Armeekorps für 1914 (in German). Berlin: Prussian Ministry of War. 1914.
  • "The London Gazette". London. 1 February 1901. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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