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My War Memorles, 1914-1918

General von Stein, who was at that time Q\\artennast.er-Gcneral, and lat er became Minister of War, concluded his letter by saying:

^u You nuist go, therefore. The interests of the State make it imperative. Your task is a diflficult one, but you are equal to it”

From Captain von Rochow I leamt that General von Hinden-burg was to be Commander-in-Chief, but that it was not yet known where he was to be found or whether he would accept the post.

I was proud of my new task and of the trust placed in me, as revealed by the two letters. I was exalted at the thought ófi serving my Emperor, Anny and Fatherland, in a position of great responsibility at a most critical point. Love of country, loyalty to my Sovereign, appreciation of the truth that the duty of everyone is to devote his life to his family and the State, this was the heritage which I took with me from my home as my portion in life. My parents were not wealthy ; tlieir devoted efforts had not brought them any materiał reward. Out happy and harmonious family life was conducted on very economical and simple lines. Both my father and my mother sacrificed their all in providing for their six children. I take this oppor-tunity of thanking them before the whole world.

I had to fight my way honourably through life when I was a young officer, but my enjoyment did not suffer on that account. Much of my time was spent in my simple subaltem’s ąuarters in Wesel/ Wilhelmshaven and Kieł, reading works on history, military history and geography. The knowledge I had ac.quired as a boy developed and borę fruit. I leamed to be proud of my Fatherland and its great men., and ardently worshipped at the shrine of Bismarck's powerful and passionate genius.

The work of our Reigning House for Prussian-Germany stood out in the clearest relief. The allegiance I had pledged on oath developed into a feeling of deep personal devotion. As I followed history step by step, I became morę and morę convinced that

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the aafcty of the country essentially depended on the Aimy and Navy, In view of the fact that Germany had again and agam been the battlefield of Europę. At the same time, my survey ot life around me enabled me to discern the greatness and signiftcance

of the peaceful servi.ces rendered by the Fatherland to cryilization and raankind.

My practical work for the Army began in 1904, when I was appointed to the Concentration Department of the Great General Staff. The culminatioli of my work there was my proposal for the milliard marle bill.