was born in in the
Province of Silesia (now
Wrocław in
Poland). His father (1813–1892) was a politician. Both of his grandfathers were notable politicians. He joined the
Prussian Army in 1866, and took part in the
Austro-Prussian War of 1866, and in the
Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871. He won the
Iron Cross second class during the Franco-Prussian War. He rose through the ranks of the
Prussian Army, being appointed chief of the staff of the
VI Army Corps at in 1897, In 1912 he took command of the 7th Army Inspection, the peacetime headquarters for the Imperial German
XVI,
XVIII, and
XXI Army Corps. At the outbreak of
World War I in August 1914, was incapacitated because of an accident in May 1914, but he was able to play a part in the
First Battle of Champagne, also known as the Battle of Soissons, at the beginning of 1915. Under his command, the 10th Army engaged in the
Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes in
East Prussia in February 1915. In August 1915, he took
Kovno and afterwards the fortresses of
Grodno and
Olita, and continued his advance into
Russia. On 30 July 1916, while remaining in command of the 10th Army, became supreme commander of
Army Group Eichhorn (''
) based around 10th Army, which he commanded until 31 March 1918. On 18 December 1917, was promoted to (field marshal). On 3 April 1918, he became supreme commander of Army Group Kiev (Heeresgruppe Kiew'') and simultaneously military governor of
Ukraine. == Death ==