Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg

Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg
Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg ca. 1905
Born	23 December 1865 Vienna, Austrian Empire
Died	31 October 1939 (age 73) Altshausen, Germany
Allegiance	German Empire
Rank	Generalfeldmarschall
Commands held	German 4th Army (1914–1917) Army Group Albrecht (1917–1918)
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of the Ardennes Battle of the Yser Second Battle of Ypres
Awards	Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece (1893) Military Merit Cross (1914) Pour le Mérite (1915)

Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg or Albrecht Herzog von Württemberg (Albrecht Maria Alexander Philipp Joseph von Württemberg, 23 December 1865 – 31 October 1939) was a German Generalfeldmarschall and head of the Royal House of Württemberg. He was a great-great grandson of Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg.

Early life

Duke Albrecht was born in Vienna as the eldest child of Duke Philipp of Württemberg^[1] and his wife Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria,^[2] daughter of Archduke Albert, Duke of Teschen.

World War I

At the start of World War I, Duke Albrecht commanded the German 4th Army and led them to victory in the Battle of the Ardennes in August 1914. Following this victory, the 4th Army saw action in the First Battle of the Marne before being transferred to Flanders in October, where Duke Albrecht commanded them during the Battle of the Yser. Duke Albrecht also commanded the German forces during the Second Battle of Ypres, where poison gas was used on a large scale for the first time.

Duke Albrecht was awarded the Pour le Mérite in August 1915 and was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in August 1916. The newly formed Army Group Albrecht was placed under his commanded in February 1917 and he was responsible for the southern sector of the Western Front until the Armistice.

Post war

Duke Albrecht had become heir presumptive to the Kingdom of Württemberg following the death of his father in October 1917, but, following the German Empire's World War I defeat and the abdication of his cousin King William II following the German Revolution, he never succeeded to the throne. He became head of the House of Württemberg on the death of William II on October 2, 1921.

Duke Albrecht died at Altshausen Castle on October 29, 1939. His son Duke Philipp Albrecht succeeded him as head of the House of Württemberg.

Family

Duke Albrecht was married in Vienna on 24 January 1893 to Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria,^[3] a daughter of Archduke Carl Ludwig. They had six children:

• Philipp Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg (1893–1975).
• Duke Albrecht Eugen of Württemberg (born 8 January 1895 in Stuttgart; died 24 June 1954 in Schwäbisch Gmünd), who married Princess Nadejda of Bulgaria (1899–1958), daughter of Tsar Ferdinand I. They had five children.
• Duke Carl Alexander of Württemberg (born 12 March 1896 in Stuttgart; died 27 December 1964 in Altshausen), known as "Father Odo".
• Duchess Maria Amalia of Württemberg (born 15 August 1897 in Gmunden; died 13 August 1923 in Altshausen), briefly engaged to Crown Prince George of Saxony.
• Duchess Maria Theresa of Württemberg (born 16 August 1898 in Stuttgart; died 26 March 1928 in Eibingen).
• Duchess Maria Elisabeth of Württemberg (born 12 September 1899 in Potsdam; died 15 April 1900 in Meran.)
• Duchess Margarita Maria of Württemberg (born 4 January 1902 in Stuttgart; died 22 April 1945 in Altshausen.)

Ancestry

Notes

1. ^ born 30 July 1838 in Neuilly-sur-Seine; died 11 October 1917 in Stuttgart.
2. ^ born 15 July 1845 in Vienna; died 8 October 1927 in Tübingen.
3. ^ born 13 May 1870 in Artstetten Castle; died 24 August 1902 in Gmunden.

References

• Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg
• Online Gotha
• Pictures of the children of Albrecht (Archived 2009-10-25)

Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg House of Württemberg Born: 23 December 1865 Died: 31 October 1939
German royalty
Preceded by Duke Philipp	Heir to the Throne of Württemberg as heir presumptive 11 October 1917 – 30 November 1918	Monarchy abolished German Revolution
Titles in pretence
Preceded by Wilhelm II	— TITULAR — King of Württemberg 2 October 1921 – 31 October 1939 Reason for succession failure: Kingdom abolished in 1918	Succeeded by Duke Philipp Albrecht

Persondata
Name	Albrecht Of Wurttemberg, Duke
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	23 December 1865
Place of birth	Vienna, Austrian Empire
Date of death	31 October 1939
Place of death	Altshausen, Germany