Hermann von Eichhorn

(13 February 1848 – 30 July 1918) was a Prussian officer, later during World War I. He was a recipient of with Oak Leaves, one of the highest orders of merit in the Kingdom of Prussia and, subsequently, Imperial Germany. While serving as the military governor of Ukraine during the Russian Civil War, Eichhorn was assassinated by a Russian socialist.

Biography was born in in the Province of Silesia (now Wrocław in Poland). His father (1813–1892) was a politician, as were both of his grandfathers. He joined the Prussian Army in 1866, and took part in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, and in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871. He won the Iron Cross second class during the Franco-Prussian War. He rose through the ranks of the Prussian Army, being appointed chief of the staff of the VI Army Corps at in 1897, In 1912 he took command of the 7th Army Inspection, the peacetime headquarters for the Imperial German XVI, XVIII, and XXI Army Corps.

At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, was incapacitated because of an accident in May 1914, but he was able to play a part in the First Battle of Champagne, also known as the Battle of Soissons, at the beginning of 1915. Under his command, the 10th Army engaged in the Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes in East Prussia in February 1915. In August 1915, he took Kovno and afterwards the fortresses of Grodno and Olita, and continued his advance into Russia. On 30 July 1916, while remaining in command of the 10th Army, became supreme commander of Army Group Eichhorn based around 10th Army, which he commanded until 31 March 1918. On 18 December 1917, was promoted to (field marshal). On 3 April 1918, he became supreme commander of Army Group Kiev (Heeresgruppe Kiew) and simultaneously military governor of Ukraine.

Death Eichhorn was assassinated in Kiev by a member of the Russian Party of Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, Boris Donskoy, who threw a bomb at the carriage carrying Eichhorn. At that time, Pavlo Skoropadskyi was walking nearby and almost immediately came to the scene of the explosion and saw that the field marshal had no legs. Also killed was Eichhorn's adjutant, Walter von Dreßler. Donskoy was convicted of murder by a field military court and executed by hanging.

Eichhorn is buried in the in Berlin.

Awards Iron Cross

Oak Leaves (1895) Clasp (1915)

106px Military Order of St. Henry, Commander 2nd Class (25 October 1916)

Eichhorn was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Berlin on 18 February 1918.

Wilhelm II, German Emperor, decreed that one of the eight towers of Malbork Castle ( of the Teutonic Order) should be named after Eichhorn. in the Marzahn-Hellersdorf district of Berlin was named after him during his lifetime.