Franz Martin Chales de Beaulieu (11 November 1857 – 27 April 1945) was a German general in
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
. He was also involved in the
Herero Wars as chief of staff to
Lothar von Trotha.
Life
Franz Martin Chales de Beaulieu was born as son of Eduard Chales de Beaulieu on 11 November 1857.
In 1877, Beaulieu entered the
Prussian Army
The Royal Prussian Army (1701–1919, german: Königlich Preußische Armee) served as the army of the Kingdom of Prussia. It became vital to the development of Brandenburg-Prussia as a European power.
The Prussian Army had its roots in the cor ...
as a Fahnenjunker in the
2nd Guards Grenadier Regiment. On 12 October 1877, Beaulieu was appointed as Second-Lieutenant. In 1887, Beaulieu was promoted to Premier-Lieutenant. In 1891, Beaulieu became the adjutant of
Alfred von Schlieffen, the Chief of the
German General Staff
The German General Staff, originally the Prussian General Staff and officially the Great General Staff (german: Großer Generalstab), was a full-time body at the head of the Prussian Army and later, the German Army, responsible for the continuo ...
. In 1894, Beaulieu was again with the 2nd Guards Grenadier Regiment in Berlin. He then served in the staff of the
2nd Guards Division before becoming a major on 18 November 1897; then serving on the staff of the
VI Corps. In 1901, he was once more with the 2nd Guards Grenadier Regiment and in 1902, Beaulieu again became an adjutant of
Alfred von Schlieffen. In 1903, Beaulieu served as a section chief in the general staff and, on 24 April 1904, he was promoted to Oberstleutnant. After his promotion, Beaulieu became part of the
Schutztruppe and became chief of staff to General
Lothar von Trotha during the
Herero Wars. Afterwards Beaulieu returned to Germany and became chief of staff of the
II Corps. On 16 October 1905, Beaulieu became the commander of the
32nd Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Oberst in 1907 and Generalmajor in 1911. He became the commander of 74th Infantry Brigade. On 25 June 1913, Beaulieu became a Generalleutnant and commander of the
12th Division.
At the outbreak of the
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
, Beaulieu's 12th Division was part of the
4th Army under
Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg. The division accordingly served on the
Western Front nd participated in the
Battle of the Ardennes
The Battle of the Ardennes took place during the First World War fought on the frontiers of France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg from 21 to 23 August 1914. The German armies defeated the French and forced their retreat. The battle was part of ...
. In 1916 the
Oberste Heeresleitung named Beaulieu commander of the
XIV Corps, replacing
Karl von Hänisch. On 5 September 1917, Beaulieu received the
Pour le Mérite from
Wilhelm II
Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 18594 June 1941) was the last German Emperor (german: Kaiser) and King of Prussia, reigning from 15 June 1888 until his abdication on 9 November 1918. Despite strengthening the German Empi ...
for his actions in the war. On the same day Beaulieu was removed from his position and retired. Shortly after his retirement, on 3 January 1918, Beaulieu was
given the character of a General der Infantrie.
Awards
German Awards
*
** Iron Cross (1914) First and Second Class
**
Pour le Mérite, 5 September 1917
**
Order of the Red Eagle 2nd Class
** Service award
*
**
Military Merit Order 3rd Class with Swords
*
**
Albert Order
The Albert Order (german: link=no, Albrechts-Orden or Albrechtsorden) was created on 31 December 1850 by King Frederick Augustus II of Saxony to commemorate Albert III, Duke of Saxony (known as Albert the Bold). It was to be awarded to anyone wh ...
Officer's Cross
*
Ernestine duchies
** Commander of
Order of the White Falcon
** Commander of 1st Class of the
*
** Cross of Honor of
Order of the Crown with Swords
** Knight's Cross 1st Class
Friedrich Order
Foreign Awards
*
** Officer Cross of
Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus ( it, Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro) (abbreviated OSSML) is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of knighthood bestowed by the royal House of Savoy. It is the second-oldest order of knighthood in the wo ...
** Officer Cross of
Order of the Crown of Italy
The Order of the Crown of Italy ( it, Ordine della Corona d'Italia, italic=no or OCI) was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civ ...
*
** Knight's Cross of
Order of Leopold (Austria)
**
Order of the Iron Crown (Austria) 3rd Class
** Knight's Cross of
Order of Franz Joseph
*
** Commander of
Order of the Crown (Romania)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beaulieu, Chales de
1857 births
1945 deaths
Colonial people in German South West Africa
Generals of Infantry (Prussia)
German Army generals of World War I
German untitled nobility
Military personnel from Brandenburg
People from the Province of Prussia
Herero and Namaqua genocide perpetrators
Recipients of the Iron Cross (1914), 1st class
Recipients of the Iron Cross (1914), 2nd class
Recipients of the Pour le Mérite (military class)
Schutztruppe personnel