PEEBLES PROFILES
EPISODE 188
Adolph von Carlowitz
Hans Carl Adolph von Carlowitz was born in the Saxon town of Riesa on March 25, 1858. Coming from an ancient noble family, Adolph was the son of Georg von Carlowitz (a courthouse officer) and Ida (née von Könneritz).
MILITARY RISE
After his Abitur, the young Carlowitz studied law at Leipzig University. But after a couple years, he opted for a military career. Carlowitz had already served as a one-year volunteer with the Royal Saxon Eighth Infantry Regiment “Prinz Johann Georg” Number 107 in Leipzig. At twenty-one, he joined the Royal Saxon Seventh Infantry Regiment “King George” Number 106 and became a second lieutenant.
From 1885 to 1888 Carlowitz studied at the Prussian War Academy in Berlin, becoming a first lieutenant in the process. He joined the Great General Staff in the spring of 1890. One year later, Carlowitz was with Prince Georg’s general staff with XII Corps (the First Royal Saxon based in Dresden) and promoted to captain by year’s end.
In 1896, Carlowitz was back in Leipzig as company commander of the Royal Saxon Seventh Infantry Regiment “King George” Number 106. Then in the autumn of 1897, he was on Curt von Raab’s general staff with the 23rd Infantry Division (the First Royal Saxon in Dresden). He was also promoted to major by the end of 1898.
In May 1901, Carlowitz was named battalion commander of the Royal Saxon First Life Grenadier Regiment Number 100 in Dresden. His stay in the post was short. In September 1902, Carlowitz was made Quartermaster on Hermann von Broizem’s general staff with XIX Corps (the Second Royal Saxon in Leipzig).
For the next ten years, Adolph von Carlowitz would be stationed in Dresden. After another promotion to lieutenant colonel in early 1904, he became Chief of Staff to Viztthum von Eckstädt with XII Corps (the First Royal Saxon). Carlowitz was made a full colonel on the 48th birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm II: January 27, 1907.
In the spring of 1908, Carlowitz was given command of the Royal Saxon First Life Grenadier Regiment Number 100. With yet another promotion to major general in March 1910, he took command of the 64th Infantry Brigade (the Sixth Royal Saxon) six months later.
Carlowitz continued to rise through the rank with special assignments and promotions. In March 1912, he was named General à la suite to King Friedrich August III of Saxony. Carlowitz then became his adjutant general and promoted to lieutenant general in February 1913. Finally in May 1914, he succeeded Max von Hausen as the Royal Saxon Minister of War.
THE GREAT WAR
Upon German mobilization in August 1914, Adolph von Carlowitz was given command of XXVII (Saxon-Württemberg) Reserve Corps, which was part of the German Fourth Army. His men participated in the First Battle of Ypres later that autumn. Unfortunately, Carlowitz had no previous battle experience… and he simply could not handle the stress! On October 27, 1914, Carlowitz was relieved of command and sent on convalescent leave due to a heart ailment. He went back to the Royal Saxon War Ministry in Dresden.
Upon recovery, Carlowitz returned to the field but only as commander of an infantry division. He was transferred to the Eastern Front in the summer of 1915 as commander of III Reserve Corps, which played an important role during the Russian Lake Naroch Offensive in late March 1916.
Later that year on August 21st, Carlowitz was named commander of the 12th Reserve Division. He was given the title of General der General der Infanterie in April 1917. Then in late July of that year, he was decorated with Imperial Germany’s highest military honor, the Pour le Mérite.
Less than two weeks later, Carlowitz replaced the deceased Max von Laffert as commanding general of XIX Corps (the Second Royal Saxon) on the Western Front. This corps was known as “Gruppe Aubers” during the successful offensive at Armentieres during the crucial Battle of the Lys in April 1918. One month later, Carlowitz was awarded the oak leaves to his Blue Max.
But as the summer of 1918 progressed, it was becoming clear that the tide of war had turned against Imperial Germany. On August 7th (the eve of the decisive Battle of Amiens), Carlowitz replaced Fritz von Below as commander of the German Ninth Army. His unit was responsible for defensive operations between the Oise and Aisne Rivers… until it was dissolved on September 18th.
Carlowitz then took command of the German Second Army, replacing Georg von der Marwitz. His men battled Rawlinson’s British Fourth Army near Cambrai and Saint Quentin in the final days before the November 11th armistice was signed.
FINAL YEARS
After the war in January 1919, Adolph von Carlowitz retired from the German Army. He spent his last remaining years with his wife Priska (née von Stieglitz) at Gersdorf near Döbeln. On July 9, 1922, Carlowitz died at the age of seventy. He was buried at the military cemetary in Dresden-Alberstadt.
Carlowitz was the father of one son and three daughters. His son Adolf became a doctor, and one of his daughters (Ruth) married Ferdinand Freiherr von Fürstenberg. Another daughter (Esther von Kirchbach) became a journalist, poet, and chaplain.