Karl von Einem (1853-1934) was born in Herzberg on 1 January 1853. He served as minister of war from 1903-09, during which time he championed the introduction of the machine gun and emphasised the increasing role of heavy artillery in modern warfare. He was appointed General of VII Corps in 1909, and served in this capacity in von Bulow's Second Army until the first Battle of the Marne from the commencement of the war in August 1914. Following the Marne Einem was given command of Third Army. With his front line positioned between Reims and Argonne in Champagne, his forces saw action at both the First and Second Allied Champagne Offensives, and subsequently at all three Battles of the Aisne. Having served the entirety of the war on the Western Front, on 10 November 1918 - the day before the armistice came into effect - Einem was given command of Army Group Crown Prince, formerly commanded by Crown Prince Wilhelm. He was tasked with the return of the army to Germany for demobilisation.
