General Karl Diestel

[V. J. Kursietis]

Hi!

Can anyone please give me a run-down on the career of General Karl Diestel (1856 - 1923) - his commands, date of retirement, final rank. I believe he was the father of WWII RKT Generalleutnant Erich Diestel.

Regards,

VJK

[Daniel Krause]

Karl August Johannes Ferdinand Diestel was in 1914 Colonel and Cdr of IR 50, decorated with Red Eagle 3 with bow, Crown Order 3, and the XXV cross and the usual Centenary medal. He was promoted GenMaj on 27.01.1915. Received the Iron crosses and the Red Eagle 2 with oaks and swords in WW1.
About WW1 commands and retirement?? I dont know. Maybe Glenn or Andy can help?

Best regards

Daniel

[V. J. Kursietis]

Many thanks Daniel for the initial information, it's much appreciated. I hope that someone else (Glenn, Andy?) can fill in the blanks.

Regards,

VJK

[Rick Research]

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[Andy Baus]

Rick is quite right that Diestel was older as a regimental commander than most of his peers. One reason may be that he served for so long in the "boonies". He served from 1877-1897 in Inf. R. 44 (garrisoned at Graudenz and Deutsch Eylau) then in Inf. R. 175 from 1897-1904 (in Graudenz again). He spend his years as a battalion commander in Cüstrin with Inf. R. 48 (1905-1909). His assignment as an Oberstlt. beim Stab was in Inf. R. 52 in Cottbus- certainly not a major city. His command came in Inf. R. 50 in Rawitsch- again, a city not many of us could find on a contemporary map.

There is strong evidence that officers who were willing to serve in the outlaying garrisons, and who were good officers, were promoted as well, though they had to wait a bit longer for the next promotion. Diestel can certainly be counted among them!

I think the reason why his career seems to have ended abruptly is that he was seriously wounded in Sept 1914 and never fully recovered. In fact, he died in 1923. The Red Eagle he received in 1916 most likely was his retirement award after 43 years of service!

Andy

He was certainly persistent, achieving rank past his age group without ever having staff training, apparently--

Hauptmann 18.6.92 and in Inf Rgt 175 1902
Major 27.1.03 as battalion CO I/Inf Rgt 48 in 1907
Oberstleutnant 18.10.09 on Staff/Inf Rgt 52 in 1912
Oberst 19.6.12 as Daniel noted, CO of Inf Rgt 50 in 1914

the Ehrenrangliste 1914-18 curiously gives NO command for him, just showing him as Generalmajor aD--

he would have reached that rank by seniority with his Oberst-peers on 27.1.15. he was certainly OUT of the service before the 1.1.17 Dienstaltersliste-- probably simply TOO OLD FOR HIS RANK!

The gazette of a Red Eagle 2nd X and Oakleaves on 17.10.16 INCORRECTLY shows him as "von" Diestel, and calls him Generalmajor zD.

[V. J. Kursietis]

Many thanks gentlemen for your illuminative input, I really appreciate it.

Best regards,

VJK