1. Hermann von Fran ç ois Charlotte Daman Willems (German General) “[I] will withdraw when [I have] defeated the Russians!"

2. In brief, the Early Years Born: January 31, 1856 (Luxembourg) Son of Prussian general and commander Attended Military Academy of Berlin 1884-1887

3. Important Military Positions 1889 -- > Captain 1894 -- > Major (Mannheim) 1899 -- > Chief of Staff (commanded by Hindenburg) 1908 -- > General-Major 1911 -- > General-Lieutenant Late 1911 -- > General of Infantry –(Eighth Army, Corps I)

4. Tasks of the Eighth Army Stationed in Königsberg: defend easternmost regions of East Prussia against Russian attack

5. Königsberg, now called Kaliningrad to hold out against Russian forces until France was defeated (in accordance with Schlieffen Plan) to wait for reinforcement from Western Front

6. Russian Attack (August 17, 1914) Led by Russian General Pavel Rennenkampf Russian First Army (200,000 men) German Eighth Army (150,000)

10. Russian Attack (August 17, 1914) Hermann von François: Immediately ordered to retreat by General Maximilian von Prittwitz Refused to surrender “his” beloved Prussia

11. “General Hermann von François will withdraw when he has defeated the Russians!"

13. The Battle of Stallupönen

16. Result of Battle: Russia: (Rennenkampf): 5,000 Casualties 3,000 taken prisoner by Germany --- Retreated further back to Russia Germany: (von Francois): 1,200 Casualties --- Listened to von Prittwitz and retreated 15 miles west to Gumbinnen

18. Battle of Gumbinnen Between Russia (Rennenkampf) and Germany (von Francois) once again (Francois’s aggressiveness stopped von Prittwitz to retreat and give up!) RESULT: Both retreated

19. Due to these “successes”... von Prittwitz lost his nerve and was “dismissed” von Francois’ Corps was transferred to the southwest to confront the Second Russian Army (Samsonov) von Francois was not trusted by any other German military leaders

20. HOWEVER..... von Francois played the decisive role in the Battle of Tannenberg!

22. Battle of Tannenberg August 27, 1914: Hermann von Francois’ army attack Samsonov’s from the front and quickly advance to the rear (against Ludendorff’s orders) von Francois is ordered to retreat (by Ludendorff!) but... refuses. (What a surprise...) von Francois’ army encircles Samsonov’s army and decisively defeat it. ( Hindenberg and Ludendorff usually receive credit for this victory!)

23. Result of Battle: Russia: 30,000 casualties 95,000 prisoners Just 10,000 escaped! (out of 150,000) Samsonov shot himself after this battle out of fear for Tsar Nicholas. Germany: less than 20,000 casualties 0 prisoners Gained 500 guns - Hindenburg and Ludendorff left to lead the 9th army in Poland - von Francois remained in East Prussia

24. First Battle of Lakes (In Brief) Eighth Army led by von Francois had quick success von Francois was ordered by von Schubert to retreat but...

25. First Battle of Masurian Lakes (In Brief) Eighth Army led by von Francois had quick success von Francois was ordered by von Schubert to retreat but... of course, refused. Instead, sent a telegram to the Kaiser stating that:

26. "the Commander is badly counselled!" Result: Kaiser so impressed that von Schubert is immediately “dismissed” and von Francois is given command of Eighth Army.

27. Unfortunately... (for him) October 1914: von Francois refused to send his Corps (Corps I) and instead sent badly trained and equipped Reserve Corps! November 1914: von Francois is replaced by General Otto von Below

28. Post-Dismissal von Francois briefly spent time on the Western Front as commander of a Reserve Corps –partook in the “Battle of Verdun” Received the highest military distinction for his performance during the Battle of Verdun (Pour le Merité)

29. Never received any further promotion under Ludendorff. (due to disobedience issues)

30. The End Returned home, reunited with family. –brother fought in Colonial Army prior to war Published his own bestseller Marneschlacht und Tannenberg in 1920 Died of natural causes on May 15, 1933