Name Albrecht, of Role Political leader | ||
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Battles/wars World War IBattle of the ArdennesBattle of the YserSecond Battle of Ypres Children Philipp Albrecht, Duke of Wurttemberg, Duke Carl Alexander of Wurttemberg, Duke Albrecht Eugen of Wurttemberg Parents Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria, Duke Philipp of Wurttemberg Grandchildren Carl, Duke of Wurttemberg Similar People Carl - Duke of Wurttemberg, Princess Maria Annuncia, Marie Therese - Duchess, Archduke Karl Ludwig of, Rupprecht - Crown Prince of | ||
Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg
Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg or Albrecht Herzog von Württemberg (Albrecht Maria Alexander Philipp Joseph von Württemberg, 23 December 1865 – 31 October 1939) was an important German military leader in World War I and head of the Royal House of Württemberg from 1921 to his death.
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Early life
Duke Albrecht was born in Vienna as the eldest child of Duke Philipp of Württemberg and his wife Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria, daughter of Archduke Albert, Duke of Teschen.
World War I
At the start of World War I, Duke Albrecht commanded the 4th Army and led them to victory in the Battle of the Ardennes in August 1914. Following this victory, the 4th Army saw action in the First Battle of the Marne before being transferred to Flanders in October, where Duke Albrecht commanded them during the Battle of the Yser. Duke Albrecht also commanded the German forces during the Second Battle of Ypres, where poison gas was used on a large scale for the first time.
Duke Albrecht was awarded the Pour le Mérite in August 1915 and was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in August 1916. The newly formed Army Group Albrecht was placed under his command in February 1917 and he was responsible for the southern sector of the Western Front until the Armistice.
Post war
Duke Albrecht had become heir presumptive to the Kingdom of Württemberg following the death of his father in October 1917, but, following the German Empire's World War I defeat and the abdication of his cousin King Willhelm II of Württemberg following the German Revolution, he never succeeded to the throne. He became head of the House of Württemberg on the death of Wilhelm on October 2, 1921.
Duke Albrecht died at Altshausen Castle on October 29, 1939. His son Duke Philipp Albrecht succeeded him as head of the House of Württemberg.
Family
Duke Albrecht was married in Vienna on 24 January 1893 to Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria, a daughter of Archduke Carl Ludwig. They had seven children: