Max von Hausen



Max Clemens Lothar Freiherr von Hausen (December 17, 1846 – March 19, 1922) served as a German army commander in the early stages of the First World War.

Early life
Hausen entered the Saxon army and served against Prussia in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. After that war, Saxony allied with Prussia and became a part of the German Empire when it was created in 1871. From 1871 to 1874 Hausen taught at the Prussian military academy in Berlin and from 1875 until 1887 he served on the General Staff. He commanded the 32nd (3rd Royal Saxon) Division from 1897 to 1900 and the XII (1st Royal Saxon) Army Corps from 1900 to 1902 and served as Minister of War of the Kingdom of Saxony from 1902 to 1914.

First World War
Upon mobilization in August 1914, the Royal Saxon Army became the German Third Army and Hausen was given command. His army participated in the Battle of the Frontiers, mainly in the battles of Dinant and Charleroi, and he and his army were responsible for the destruction of Reims in September 1914. After the Second Army's retreat after the First Battle of the Marne, Hausen saw his own flank exposed and ordered a retreat. After the stabilization of the front on the Aisne River, on September 9, 1914, Hausen was relieved of his command due to illness and replaced by General Karl von Einem. Hausen held no further field commands during the war, and died shortly after the war ended.