Otto von Lauenstein

Lauenstein was born on 1 February 1857 in Lüneburg. Until 1875, he attended Gymnasium Lüneburg. And in 1876, he was appointed as a Second Lieutenant.[1] He was deployed in 18th Field Artillery Regiment. From 1892 to 1900 he was military attaché in St. Petersburg. In 1901, he was sent to China as general staff officer of Alfred von Waldersee. The same year, he returned to Germany and commanded the 38th Field Artillery Regiment.[2]

On 24 April 1904, as a German officer, he was sent to Russia as Prussian Military envoy with Russian Army in Manchuria.[1] He observed the Russo-Japanese War. For Alfred von Schlieffen, Lauenstein was important. Lauenstein reported that the Russian officers are not responsibly but only cares about their comfort. This helped Schlieffen to conclude that Russia is not able to counterattack the Prussian forces.[3]

In 1905, he was a section chief of General Staff. On 13 February 1906, Lauenstein was promoted to Oberst. The same year, he became Orderly aide-de-Camp of Wilhelm II. On 27 January 1908, Lauestein was ennobled. On 22 March 1910, Lauenstein became Generalmajor. On 3 May 1910, Lauenstein became the commander of 38th Infantry Brigade. In 1911, he was sent to Russia again as Prussian Military envoy. Same year, he returned to Germany and became chief of staff of VI Corps commanded by Karl von Pritzelwitz. On 1 October 1912, he was promoted to Generalleutnant and commanded the 14th Division.[1][2]

During the World War I, he first was the chief of staff of 2nd Army, which played a big role in Schlieffen Plan. In December 1914, Lauenstein received command of XXXIX Reserve Corps. As the corp commander, participated in the Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes. In 1915 he simultaneously headed up the Armygroup Lauenstein, which consisted of 78th Reserve Division, and 6th Reserve Division. The army group was engaged in the western region of Latvia. Lauenstein's army group participated in Kurland Offensive. Against Mikhail Alekseyev, his twelve division captured Šiauliai against Alekseyev's eighteen divisions.[4] However, in July 1916, his illness brought his permanent convalescent leave. Lauenstein died on 3 October 1916.[1]

On November 29, 1903, he married with Julie Martha Meyer. Two had five children.[2]