Biography.guide
Home › People › Author › William Balck
Portrait of William Balck

William Balck

1858 – 1924

German general

Author Military personnel Military theorist
Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About William Balck

Lived 1858 – 1924 (aged 65). William Balck was a German author, military personnel, military theorist, army officer, lieutenant general and military writer.

Konrad Friedrich August Henry William Balck (October 19, 1858 in Osnabrück July 15, 1924 in Aurich) was a Prussian officer and military officer who reached the rank of during World War I. Life He was the son of British Lieutenant Colonel George Philipp Balck and his wife Charlotte née Lütgen, daughter of Major General Conrad Friedrich Lütgen (1790–1854) and his wife Dorothee Charlotte Lackemann.

His 1903 six-volume work Taktik (Tactics) was translated into English by Walter Krueger and published in the United States in two volumes, Introduction and Formal Tactics of Infantry in 1911 and Cavalry, Field and Heavy Artillery in Field Warfare in 1914.

At the first year of the World War I, he continued his role as chief inspector of telegraphy/signals troops. Later, he commanded the 13th Landwehr Division (August 1915 – September 1916) and 51st Reserve Division (September 1916 – March 1918).

Awards Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st Class Wound Badge (1918) in Black Order of the Crown 2nd Class with Star and Swords (1917) Pour le Mérite (9 March 1918) Order of the Red Eagle 2nd Class with Star, Oak Leaves and Swords (18 August 1918)

Writings Taktik (Tactics) (Berlin: Eisenschmitt, 1903)

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Pour le Mérite; Iron Cross, 1st class; Wound Badge (1939) in Black; 2nd Class Order of the Crown with the Star; Order of the Red Eagle 2nd Class; Commander of the Order of the Crown (Romania); Service Award Cross; Commander of the Order of the Redeemer; Iron Cross, 2nd class
Also known as
Konrad Friedrich August Henry William Balck

People in William Balck's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Balck's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Balck?

German general (1858–1924)

When was William Balck born?

William Balck was born on 19 October 1858 in Osnabrück.

When did William Balck die?

William Balck died on 15 July 1924 in Aurich.

What was William Balck's occupation?

William Balck was an author, military personnel, military theorist, army officer, lieutenant general and military writer.

What nationality was William Balck?

William Balck was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Balck

· Wikidata: Q92393

· DBpedia: William Balck

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Balck. https://biography.guide/william-balck/

MLA: "William Balck." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-balck/.

Chicago: "William Balck." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-balck/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:16 UTC