Constantin von Alvensleben

Reimar Constantin von Alvensleben (26 August 1809 – 28 March 1892) was a Prussian (and later Imperial German) general.

Reimar Constantin von Alvensleben
Constantin von Alvensleben
Born(1809-08-26)26 August 1809
Eichenbarleben, Prussia
Died28 March 1892(1892-03-28) (aged 82)
Berlin, German Empire
Allegiance Kingdom of Prussia
 German Empire
Service/branchPrussian Army
Imperial German Army
Years of service1827–1873
RankGeneral of the Infantry
Commands heldIII Army Corps
Battles/warsAustro-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
AwardsPour le Mérite
Order of the Black Eagle
RelationsGustav von Alvensleben

Born at Eichenbarleben in the Province of Saxony, Alvensleben entered the Prussian Guards from the cadet corps in 1827. He became first lieutenant in 1842, captain in 1849, and major on the Great General Staff in 1853, whence after seven years he went to the Ministry of War. He was soon afterwards promoted colonel, and commanded a regiment of Guard infantry up to 1864, when he became a major-general after the Second Schleswig War.

Alvensleben commanded a brigade of guards in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. At the action of Soor (Burkersdorf) on 28 June, he distinguished himself greatly, and at the Battle of Königgrätz where he led the advanced guard of the Guards Corps, his energy and initiative were still more conspicuous. Soon afterwards he succeeded to the command of his division, General Wilhelm Hiller von Gärtringen having fallen in the battle; he was promoted lieutenant-general, and retained this command after the conclusion of peace, receiving in addition the order Pour le Mérite for his services.

In 1870, on the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, Alvensleben succeeded Prince Friedrich Karl in command of the III Army Corps, which formed part of the 2nd German army. But his questionable judgment with inconsidered attacks at Vionville-Mars-la-Tour resulted in heavy casualties.[1] Shortly before his death in 1892 he was awarded the Order of the Black Eagle.

The Prussian Infantry Regiment Nr. 52 in Cottbus was named von Alvensleben in his honour.

See also

References
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Alvensleben, Constantin von". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  1. Roland Koch, « Les canons à balles dans l’armée du Rhin en 1870 » Revue historique des armées, 255 | 2009
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