About Hans Hartwig von Beseler
Hans Hartwig von Beseler (27 April 1850 – 20 December 1921) was a German colonel general. == Biography == Beseler was born in Greifswald, Pomerania as the son of Georg Beseler, then a law professor at the University of Greifswald. === Military career === He entered the Prussian Army in 1868, fought in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 and had a successful military career until his retirement in 1910. Beseler was ennobled in 1904 by William II, German Emperor. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Beseler was brought out of retirement and given command of the 3rd Reserve Corps in the German First Army led by Generaloberst Alexander von Kluck. The Imperial German Army took Brussels on 20 August and the German command considered the Belgian Army defeated. The main force of the German armies marched toward France, leaving the 3rd Reserve Corps behind. Beseler was ordered to take possession of the city of Antwerp on 9 September. The Siege of Antwerp ended on 10 October, when Antwerp's Mayor Jan De Vos, surrendered the city. Beseler followed the Belgian army and was halted by Allied (mainly Belgian) forces in the Battle of the Yser (October 1914).
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