Wilhelm von Hahnke

Wilhelm Gustav Karl Bernhard von Hahnke (1 October 1833 in Berlin – 8 February 1912) was a Prussian Field Marshal, and Chief of the German Imperial Military Cabinet from 1888 to 1901.

Biography Born into an old Prussian family of officers, he was the son of Wilhelm Hahnke (1793-1861) and his wife Angelique, née von der Lancken (1803-1873). His father was raised to the hereditary Prussian nobility in 1836, thus becoming Wilhelm von Hahnke. After time in the cadet corps Hahnke joined the military as second lieutenant in the 1st Guards Grenadiers in 1851. During the Second Schleswig War, Hahnke served as a company leader. During the Austro-Prussian War he served on the staff of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia as a general staff officer. During the Franco-Prussian War he served on the latter's staff again and earned the Iron Cross (first class).

In 1888 Hahnke was appointed Chief of the Military Cabinet of the just-crowned Wilhelm II. In January 1905 he was promoted to field marshal. He later was appointed as the Adjutant-General to the Kaiser. He died on 8 February 1912.

Foreign honours Knight of the Iron Crown, 1st Class, 1888 Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Leopold, 1891; in Diamonds, 1895 Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Order of St. Stephen, 1897 Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold Grand Cross of St. Alexander Grand Cross of the Military Merit Order Grand Cross of the Dannebrog, 26 June 1888 French Empire: Officer of the Legion of Honour Kingdom of Greece: Grand Cross of the Redeemer Grand Cross of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Grand Cross of the Crown of Italy Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun Grand Cross of St. Charles, 14 April 1907 Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Danilo I Grand Cross of the Netherlands Lion Order of Glory Order of Osmanieh, 1st Class in Diamonds Order of the Medjidie, 1st Class in Diamonds Persian Empire: Order of the Lion and the Sun, 1st Class Grand Cross of the Royal Military Order of St. Benedict of Aviz Order of the Double Dragon, Class I Grade III Grand Cross of the Star of Romania Grand Cross of the Crown of Romania Knight of St. Andrew Knight of St. Vladimir, 4th Class Grand Cross of the Cross of Takovo Siam: Grand Cross of the White Elephant Sweden-Norway: Commander Grand Cross of the Sword, 1884 Grand Cross of St. Olav, 19 July 1888 Honorary Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, 15 June 1907