Oskar Gutier German infantry general. Date of Birth: 27.08.1857 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Rising through the Ranks
3. World War I
4. Command of the 8th Army
5. Riga Operation
6. Capture of the Moonsund Islands
7. Spring Offensive 1918
8. Later Career

Early Life and Military Career

In 1875, German Infantry General entered the infantry as a lieutenant. From 1885 to 1888, he studied at the Military Academy. In 1889, he began serving in the General Staff. In 1890, he became the commander of the 95th Infantry Regiment.

Rising through the Ranks

In 1902, he became the head of a department of the Great General Staff. He then served as Chief of Staff of the III Army Corps from 1902 to 1907. From 1907 to 1910, he commanded the Leib Guards 1st Hessian Regiment, and from 1910 to 1911, he led the 74th Infantry Brigade.

World War I

In February 1911, German Infantry General became the Quartermaster General of the Great General Staff, while also lecturing at the Military Academy. On September 16, 1912, he took command of the 1st Guards Division, with which he entered the war as part of the 2nd Army on the Western Front.

Command of the 8th Army

On April 3, 1915, German Infantry General commanded the XXI Army Corps of the 10th Army. On January 2, 1917, he became the head of Army Administration "D" (Dvinsk), which was deployed in the Riga area. On April 22, 1917, he was made commander of the 8th Army.

Riga Operation

During the Riga Operation (August 19-24, 1917), he employed a new method of artillery preparation. Instead of prolonged artillery fire, he replaced it with a short-lived hurricane of chemical shells. This method proved effective and was later adopted by the German command.

With his army, German Infantry General captured Riga on August 21, 1917. Although he failed to encircle and destroy the 12th Russian Army, his actions forced the Russian troops to retreat.

Capture of the Moonsund Islands

After Riga's capture, German Infantry General was tasked with leading the operation to capture the Moonsund Islands. On October 12, 1917, German troops began landing on the islands. Despite resistance from Russian forces, the islands were evacuated by the Baltic Fleet command on October 19, 1917.

Spring Offensive 1918

From December 21, 1917, German Infantry General commanded the 18th Army, defending positions near Saint-Quentin. In the March 21 Spring Offensive, his army achieved significant gains, capturing around 50,000 prisoners.

Later Career

During the наступление на Эне (May 27 - June 13, 1918), his army attacked towards Compiègne. Despite facing strong resistance, he advanced around 10 km before being halted by Allied forces. In January 1919, German Infantry General retired from the military.