August von Mackensen
August von Mackensen | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "The Last Hussar" |
| Born | 6 December 1849 Haus Leipnitz, Province of Saxony, Kingdom of Prussia, German Confederation |
| Died | 8 November 1945 (aged 95) Habighorst, Province of Hanover, Allied-occupied Germany |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Prussia North German Confederation German Empire Weimar Republic |
| Branch | Prussian Army Imperial German Army Reichsheer |
| Years of service | 1869–1920 |
| Rank | Generalfeldmarschall |
| Commands | Army Group Mackensen |
| Battles / wars | Franco-Prussian War World War I |
| Awards | Grand Cross of the Iron Cross Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves Order of the Black Eagle |
| Relations | Eberhard von Mackensen (son) Hans Georg von Mackensen (son) |
| Signature | |
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Anton Ludwig Friedrich August Mackensen (ennobled as von Mackensen in 1899; 6 December 1849 – 8 November 1945), was a German field marshal. He commanded Army Group Mackensen during World War I (1914–1918) and became one of the German Empire's most prominent and competent military leaders. After the armistice of 11 November 1918, the victorious Allies interned Mackensen in Serbia for a year. In 1920, he retired from the army. In 1933 Hermann Göring made him a Prussian state councillor. During the Nazi era (1933–1945), Mackensen remained a committed monarchist and sometimes appeared at official functions in his World War I uniform. Senior Nazi Party members suspected him of disloyalty, but nothing was proven against him.