Figure 1.-- The men and boys in the Bavarian royal family were pictured in military uniforms. This was the common practice throughout Germany as well in other Ruropean countries. France was the only European beligerant that did not have a monarchial government. Click on the image to see an enlargement of Rupprecht's sons Luitpold and Albrech in militry uniforms.

The German public in 1914 entered World War I very enthusiastically--as was the case with the population in other countries. I'm not sure if public sentimate in Bavaria was any less enthusiastic. Bavaria was less militaristic than Prussia before German unification in 1871. The men and boys in the Bavarian royal family were pictured in military uniforms. This was the common practice throughout Germany as well in other Ruropean countries. France was the only European beligerent that did not have a monarchial government. Both sons Luitpold and Albrech are pictured here in military uniforms. These appear to be ceremonial dress uniforms rather than cadet uniforms. Prince Ruprech served destinguishly throught the Wat on the Western Front, commanding the Sixth Army and later an Army Group. He seemns to have reached the conclusion from an early date that Germany could not win the War because of the material superiority of the Allies. He resigned his command on the day of the Armistice. The Kaiser was forced to abdicate and flee to Holland. The other German royals also abdicated in the face of republican revolution. King Ludwig III addicated ???, 1918. The end of the monarchy meant that Prince Rupprecht and Prince Albrecht no longer had prospects of becoming king. He hoped to marry Luxembourg Princess Antoinette, but this proved impossible becsause of the German defeat and the ill will in Luxembourg toward the Germans as a result of ther occupation.

Enthusiasm

The German public in 1914 entered World War I very enthusiastically--as was the case with the population in other countries. I'm not sure if public sentimate in Bavaria was any less enthusiastic. Bavaria was less militaristic than Prussia before German unification in 1871. The men and boys in the Bavarian royal family were pictured in military uniforms. This was the common practice throughout Germany as well in other Ruropean countries. France was the only European beligerent that did not have a monarchial government. Both sons Luitpold and Albrech are pictured here in military uniforms. These appear to be ceremonial dress uniforms rather than cadet uniforms.

World War I

There is considerable information on World War I avaialable within sevreral sections of the HBC website. They deal with the war in general and not on Bavaria specifically. The War was fought far away from Bavaria. The only bsattles fought on German twrritoiry were in East Prussiaussians at the beginning if the War. The Bavarians like other Germasns were affected by the battelfield losses and the shortages resulting from declining agricultural production and the Allied naval blockade.

Military Service

Crown Prince Rupprecht commanded the German Sixth Army at the outbreak of World War I. He was stationed in Lorraine, acquired by Germany in the Franco-Pussian War (1870-71). The appointment resulted from his rank as Crown Prince. He was, however, a competent commander who had taken his military duties seriously as a young man. He competently commanded the 6th Army aided by the military incomptence of the French who lsaunched an offensive into Llraine, attacking well prepsared German defenses. The Sixth Army's task was to hold Loraine while the bulk of the German Army attacked through Belgium. The French suffered devestating losses, meaning that they did not need to worry about their left flank as they drove through Belgium. Rupprecht launched a German attack, but failed to break through the French defenses. He commanded the Sixth Army against the British during the Battle of Ypres. He was promoted to the rank of field marshal (Generalfeldmarschall) (July 1916). He was given command of Army Group Rupprecht (August 1916). His command included the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th Army. Rupprecht is regarded by many military historians to be one of the best commanders of royal rank in the German Army. Rupprecht came to the conclusion earlier then most German generals that Germany could not win the War. He seems to have reached the conclusion by late-1917. By that time the greater material advantage of the Allies and American entry into the War was changing the military balance. He also opposed the "scorched earth" policy during the 1918 withdraws. He threatened resignation, but his position as Crown Prince made that impossible. He resigned his command on the day of the Arrmistice (November 11. 1918).

Luxembourg

Crown Prince Rupprecht proposed marriage to the younger Princess Antoinette of Luxembourg. The German defeat and the ill will in Luxembourg toward the Germans as a result of the occupation made the marriage impossible. The engagement as a result was canceled. Grand Duchess Marie Adelaïde had to abdicate because she was so close to the Germans during the occupation.

Fall of Royal Houses

World War I was devastating for Bavaria and the rest of Germany. The human carnage was unimanginable. There was no actual fighting in Bavaria. The horendous loss of life on the battlefield did affect families throughout Bavaria and the other German states. The economy was near collapse when Germany asked for an armistace. The public blamed the Kaiser and the other herditary leaders. As a result, popular revolations forced the nobel families throughout Europe to relinquish power. The Kaiser was forced to abdicate and flee to Holland. The other German royals also abdicated in the face of republican revolution. King Ludwig III addicated ???, 1918. The end of the monarchy meant that Prince Rupprecht and Prince Albrecht no longer had prospects of becoming king. The feeling in Bavaria toward the Wittelsbach was less pronounced than that toward many other German royals.

Post-War Bavaria

While Bavaria did not play a central role in the German World War I war effort, it did play a crucisal role in post-War German politics. It was here that the Communists seized control. Their brief reign helped to radicalize Bavarian politics. They were brutally supressed by the Frei Korps. And it was here that a discharged corporal Adolf Hitler, recovering from a poison gas attak entered right-wing German politics. While his Munich Beer Hall Putsch failed, he and the NAZIs would rise to power from their Bavarian powerbase. After emerging from jail, Hitler was allowed to speak and organize in Bavaria while many other German states resticted his activities. Some German riyals were attracted to Hitler and the NSAZIs, but Prince Ruprecht would have nothing to do with them.

Created: May 4, 2002
Last updated: 2:50 AM 7/5/2009