German royalty -- Frederich Wilhelm's military service









Crown Prince Frederich Wilhelm: Military Service


Figure 1.-- Prince Friedrich-Wilhelm was commissioned a lieutenant in the First Gurd Regiment as part of a traditional crenemony in Potsdam.

Prince Friedrich-Wilhelm was commissioned a lieutenant in the First Gurd Regiment as part of a traditional crenemony in Potsdam. This was ceremonial event. Prince Friedrich-Wilhelm at age 14 years old with his younger brother Eitel Friedrich he entered the military Academy at Ploen in Schleswig-Holstein, where he became a cadet. After 4 years at Ploen he graduated on February 22, 1900. Three days later he began his officer training in Potsdam, which had been shortened from 9 months to 9 weeks. As he was 18 years old and had become of age, according to the Hohenzollern House law, he began active service with his regiment on May 6, 1900. After returning from a trip to the Ottoman Empire, the Crown Prince was promoted to Captain on the occasion of his 21st birthday.

Commissioning

Prince Friedrich-Wilhelm was commissioned a lieutenant in the First Gurd Regiment as part of a traditional crenemony in Potsdam.

Cadet

This was ceremonial event. Prince Friedrich-Wilhelm at age 14 years old with his younger brother Eitel Friedrich he entered the military Academy at Ploen in Schleswig-Holstein, where he became a cadet. After 4 years at Ploen he graduated on February 22, 1900.

Officer Training

Prince Friedrich-Wilhelm 3 days after graduating from the Ploen Academylater he began his officer training in Potsdam, which had been shortened from 9 months to 9 weeks.

Active Service

As he was 18 years old and had become of age, according to the Hohenzollern House law, he began active service with his regiment on May 6, 1900.

Promotion

After returning from a trip to the Ottoman Empire, the Crown Prince was promoted to Captain on the occasion of his 21st birthday.

World War I

At the outbreak of World War I, the Crown Prince was given command of the 5th Army on the western front. He participated in the victories at Longwy and Longuyon (August 22 and 24, 1914). As a result of the Crown Prince's politics, right-wing elements in Germany wanted him to become Kaiser. In the flush of national unity, father and son fully agreed on the War. Wilhelm conferred to Iron Crosses on his son for bravery at Longwy. Gradually, however, the two drifted apart. The Kaiser was probably jealous of his sons military accomplishments. The Crown Prince for his part did not think that the War was being aggresively waged. He was particularly outspoken in his criticism of any peace iniatives as was his English-hating mother. He also objected to disconbtinuing unrestricted submarine warfare when America protested. Ultimately the renewal of unrestricted sunmarine warfare would bring America into the War, but make no real contribution in the German war effort.







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Created: 8:40 AM 1/6/2007
Last updated: 8:40 AM 1/6/2007