Dietrich Gerhard Emil Theodor Tappen (3 July 1866 – 28 May 1953) was a German

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

general. Born in Esens, Tappen joined the

Prussian Army The Royal Prussian Army (1701–1919, german: Königlich Preußische Armee) served as the army of the Kingdom of Prussia. It became vital to the development of Brandenburg-Prussia as a European power. The Prussian Army had its roots in the co ...

in 1885 and became career officer with the artillery. At the start of the First World War, Tappen was a colonel in the

Oberste Heeresleitung The ''Oberste Heeresleitung'' (, Supreme Army Command or OHL) was the highest echelon of command of the army (''Heer'') of the German Empire. In the latter part of World War I, the Third OHL assumed dictatorial powers and became the ''de facto'' ...

(OHL) in

Koblenz Koblenz (; Moselle Franconian: ''Kowelenz''), spelled Coblenz before 1926, is a German city on the banks of the Rhine and the Moselle, a multi-nation tributary. Koblenz was established as a Roman military post by Drusus around 8 B.C. Its nam ...

, where he led the operations section which coordinated the German battle strategy. In September 1914 Tappen reported from a tour of inspection at the front that the French were too exhausted to begin an offensive, that a final push would be decisive and that more withdrawals would compromise the morale of the German troops, after the defeat on the Marne.Foley, R. T. (2007) 005 German Strategy and the Path to Verdun : Erich Von Falkenhayn and the Development of Attrition, 1870–1916, Cambridge: CUP. , p.99-100. In March 1915 Tappen served as chief of staff of the 7th Army under

Josias von Heeringen Josias von Heeringen (9 March 1850 – 9 October 1926) was a German general of the imperial era who served as Prussian Minister of War and saw service in the First World War. Early life Heeringen was born in Kassel in the Electorate of Hesse ...

, but soon returned to OHL. On 26 June 1915 Tappen was promoted to major-general. He received the

Pour le Mérite The ' (; , ) is an order of merit (german: Verdienstorden) established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia. The was awarded as both a military and civil honour and ranked, along with the Order of the Black Eagle, the Order of the Red Eag ...

on 11 September 1915 and the Oak Leaves in January 1916. On 31 August 1916 Tappen was transferred out of OHL and became chief of staff to Army Group Mackensen on the

Romanian front The Romanian Front ( ro, Frontul Românesc, FR) was a moderate fascist party created in Romania in 1935. Led by former Prime Minister Alexandru Vaida-Voevod, it originated as a right-wing splinter group from the mainstream National Peasants' Part ...

. In December 1916 Tappen became commander of the 5th Ersatz Division. From September 1917 until the Armistice Tappen commanded the 15th Infantry Division. In 1920 Tappen wrote ''Bis zur Marne 1914: Beiträge zur Beurteilung der Kriegführen bis zum Abschluss der Marne-Schlacht''. Tappen died on 28 May 1953 in

Goslar Goslar (; Eastphalian: ''Goslär'') is a historic town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Goslar and located on the northwestern slopes of the Harz mountain range. The Old Town of Goslar and the Mi ...

References

External links

"Gerhard Tappen" biographical entry at The Prussian Machine
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tappen, Gerhard 1866 births 1953 deaths German Army generals of World War I Recipients of the Pour le Mérite (military class) Generals of Artillery (Prussia) Lieutenant generals of Prussia Military personnel from Lower Saxony People from Wittmund (district)