Erich Rothardt

From Metapedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Erich Rothardt
Generalmajor (hier als Oberst) Erich Rothardt.jpg
Birth date 25 February 1863(1863-02-25)
Place of birth Kingdom of Prussia, German Confederation
Place of death German Reich
Allegiance Germany Prussian Eagle.jpg Kingdom of Prussia
 German Empire
 Weimar Republic
Service/branch War and service flag of Prussia (1895–1918).png Prussian Army
Iron Cross of the Luftstreitkräfte.png Imperial German Army
War Ensign of the Reichswehr, 1919 - 1935.png Preliminary Reichswehr
Years of service 1884–1919
Rank Charakter als Generalmajor (honorary Major General)
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Red Eagle Order
Iron Cross
Prussian Order of the Crown

Erich Rothardt (other sources state the first name as Ernst; b. 25 February 1863; d. > 1934) was a German officer of the Prussian Army, the Imperial German Army and the Vorläufige (preliminary) Reichwehr, finally honorary Generalmajor. After WWI and his retirement, he lived for some time in Erfurt. A death date is not known, but because he received the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, it has to be after 1934.

Life

After Abitur and studies (engineering degree), Erich Rothardt joined the Pionier Bataillon Nr. 15 in Straßburg (Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen), where he was commissioned in 1885 in the 1st Company. From 1 October 1887 to 30 September 1889, he was commanded to the Vereinigte Artillerie- und Ingenieurschule (United Artillery and Engineering School), together with Rudolf von Horn (later General der Artillerie), Ernst Kabisch (later General der Infanterie) and others. He then returned to the Pionier Bataillon Nr. 15, now serving in the 2nd Company. In 1891/92, he was named Adjutant of the Pionier Bataillon Nr. 15. In 1894/95, he was transferred to the 2. Ingenieur-Inspektion (engineer inspection), at the same time commanded to fortification service in Thorn.

In 1900, he was promoted to Captain and was named commander of the 3rd Company/Pionier Bataillon Nr. 20 in Metz. In 1903, with the uniform of the 2. Lothringisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 20, he was transferred to the war school (Kriegsschule) in Hersfeld, where he served as a teacher. It was during this time, that he received the Red Eagle Order, 4th Class. In 1907, he was transferred to the 4. Ingenieur-Inspektion (engineer inspection) commanded to staff of the of the 6. Festungs-Inspektion (fortress inspection). As of the rank seniority list (Rangliste) 1908, he served in the uniform of the 4. Ingenieur-Inspektion in the adjutancy of the General-Inspektion des Ingenieur- und Pionierkorps und der Festungen (general inspection of the engineer and pioneer corps and the fortresses) in Berlin.

As of the rank seniority list 1911, he served as commander of the Magdeburgisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 4. As of the rank seniority list 1913, he served with the 1. Ingenieur-Inspektion (engineer inspection) as Ingenieur-Offizier vom Platz of the Fortress Friedrichsort in Kiel. In fortresses or large garrisons, a field officer was an officer whose duty was limited exclusively to matters relating to the fortress or garrison itself. The commander of the fortress or garrison himself is not one of the field officers or Platzoffizier. From 20 November 1914 to 1 March 1916, Rothardt commanded the Infanterie-Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 116 at the Western Front. He then allegedly commanded the Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 343 (subordinated to the 172. Infanterie-Brigade under Erich von Warburg) and later the 87. Reserve-Infanterie-Brigade.

After the November Revolution and his demobilization, Rothardt was very active within the veteran organizations as head of the Regierungsbezirkskriegerverband (District Warrior Association) in erfurt. He was also socially respected and active as chairman of the Verschönerungsverein (beautification association), chairman of the Verein ehemaliger Realgymnasiasten (association of former secondary school students), chairman of the Landesverein Thüringen des Allgemeinen deutschen Jagdschutz-Vereins (Thuringia State Association of the General German Hunting Protection Association) and was member of the Ressource-Gesellschaft,[1] a gentlemen's social club of Erfurt's citizens of rank and name that promoted cultural life in the city.[2]

Promotions

  • 16 September 1885 Sekondeleutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
  • 14 September 1892 Premierleutnant (1st Lieutenant)
  • 27 January 1900 Hauptmann (Captain)
  • 27 January 1908 Major
  • 22 April 1914 Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel)
  • 27 January 1917 Oberst (Colonel)
  • 30 September 1919 Charakter als Generalmajor

Awards and decorations (excerpt)

Medal bar
Ribbon bar

WWI

References

  1. ↑ Steffen Rassloff: Flucht in die nationale Volksgemeinschaft – Das Erfurter Bürgertum zwischen Kaiserreich und NS-Diktatur, Böhlau Verlag, Köln / Weimar 2003
  2. ↑ Founded in 1780 during the Holy Roman Empire, it became the city's most important gentlemen's club when “military and civil officials, respected merchants and educated citizens of Erfurt” joined . The aim was to “recover after the day’s serious professional business”. Shortly before the turn of the 20th century, a spacious building was built that offered an appropriate setting for festivals and leisure activities such as “balls, suppers, evening entertainment, summer entertainment”. The composition of leading manufacturers, bankers, horticulturists, directors, professors, doctors, lawyers, high-ranking civil servants and officers made the Ressource-Gesellschaft the city's most important informal exchange of interests. Many a decision was initiated here, which then just had to be officially decided in the town hall or in an industrial boardroom.
  3. ↑ Rangliste der Königlich Preußischen Armee, 1910, p. 112
Retrieved from "http://en.metapedia.org/m/index.php?title=Erich_Rothardt&oldid=507986"