Service/branch Heer Died 1928, Lubeck, Germany Name Curt Morgen | Years of service 1878–1919 | |
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Battles/wars World War IBattle of TannenbergBattle of Lodz (1914)Romanian campaignHundred Days Offensive Awards Pour le Merite with Oak Leaves Children Heinrich-Joachim von Morgen Commands held | ||
Curt Ernst von Morgen (1 November 1858 in Neiße – 15 February 1928 in Lübeck) was a Prussian explorer and officer, later General of Infantry during World War I. He was a recipient of Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves.
Contents
- Explorer in Cameroon
- The Middle East
- Military service in Germany
- World War I
- Later life
- Family
- Awards
- References
Explorer in Cameroon
Curt von Morgen was stationed in German Kamerun and undertook two research journeys to central Cameroon in 1889 and from 1890 to 1891. After the expeditions, Morgen returned to Germany but in 1894 he was tasked with the formation of the Kamerun Schutztruppe. He also led two military expeditions against the Abo north of Douala and the Kwe (Bakwiri) near Mount Cameroon.
The Middle East
In 1896-97, he followed as military observer the English Dongola-Expedition against the Mahdists. In 1897, he became Military Attaché in Istanbul. He followed as observer the Greco-Turkish War (1897) and prepared the visit of Kaiser William II to Palestine in 1898.
Military service in Germany
On 27 January 1912, he was promoted to Generalmajor and assigned as commander of the 81st Infantry Brigade in Lübeck. On 9 August 1913, when the emperor visited the town, he reported to him.
World War I
On mobilisation for World War I in August 1914, he became commander of the 3rd Reserve Division from Danzig, and promoted to Generalleutnant on the 19th of that month. He commanded this division as part of the 8th Army in the pivotal Battle of Tannenberg at the opening of the war on the Eastern Front, and at the subsequent First Battle of the Masurian Lakes. For his performance in this period, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite on 1 December 1914.
On 24 November 1914, he took over command of I Reserve Corps from Otto von Below. He led this Corps for almost the entire war, only swapping places with Richard Wellman in command of XIV Reserve Corps in August 1918.
With the I Reserve Corps, he fought in the Battle of Łódź (1914) and in the Romanian campaign (1916-1917) in which he took the oil fields of Ploiești and advanced towards Focșani. After the signing of the peace treaty with Romania, his Corps was moved to the Western Front.
He was awarded the Oakleaves to the Pour le Mérite (signifying a second award) on 11 December 1916.
Later life
After his retirement he became General of Infanterie and returned to Lübeck.
Family
His son Heinrich-Joachim von Morgen (1902–1932) was an early German race car driver. His daughter Elizabeth married in 1923 the aircraft designer Anthony Fokker (1890-1939).