Weber Pascha

[Peter H]

Has anyone any biographical details on the German General der Infanterie Erich Paul Weber(1860-1933)?

He was honoured with the title Weber Pascha,for his service with the German Military Mission to Turkey up to 1915.He was a Fortress specialist of some sort?

Horne's book on Verdun mentions him being involved in the June 1916 Verdun fighting,commanding the 50 Division(??).

Later commanded Reichswehr-Brigade 2 Stettin in 1920.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

[VJK]

Hi Peter!

I only have this pic of him, courtesy of good old Glenn.

Best regards,

VJK

[Peter H]

Thanks VJK,

Much appreciated.

Best regards,
Peter

[Peter H]

In 1914 Weber was an Oberst,"a German Army engineer and defensive specialist",part of the 500 man German contingent under Vice Admiral von Usedom sent to the Dardenelles to beef up the coastal defences.In September 1914 "Weber Pasha,the German officer then in charge of the forts of the Dardenelles,immediately ordered--apparently without the knowledge of the Turkish government--the closing of the straits".(Australian Official History)

In March 1915 Liman von Sanders appointed him commander of the Ottoman XV Corps to defend Kum Kale and the Asiastic shore.His force repulsed the French landing there in April 1915.Weber also commanded the Ottoman Southern Group at Helles until July 1915.It appears that he and Liman clashed over tactics(Weber favored a withdrawal to a better defensive line) and he was sent back to Germany.

According to Horne,Weber was in command of the German troops that helped capture Fort Vaux in June 1916:

...two battalions of the German 50th Division,under the special direction of Major-General Weber Pasha who had recently distinguished himself in organising the defence of the Turkish forts at Gallipoli.

The Price of Glory,Alistair Horne.

[Peter H]

Staged postcards of the Fort Vaux fighting can be found here:

http://www.gwpda.org/photos/postcard.htm


http://www.gwpda.org/photos/bin13/imag1219.jpg

[Peter H]

Weber also commanded the 9.Division November 1916-November 1918.

[Tosun Saral]

Weber Pasha commanded the XVth AC at Kumkale on the Asian side until May 7th 1915. By the order of von Sander he was made commander of South Group during the first days of Gallipoli battles.
He commanded the 2nd Kirte battle in May 6/8 1915 and the battles of May 9/24th 1915. South Grouıp Command was at the order of 3rd AC but on May 4th attached to the order of 5th Army.
He commanded 3rd Kirte Battle in June 4/6 1915, 1st Kerevizdere battle in June 21/22 1915 and Zigindere battle in June 28th-July3rd 1915. Before the Zigindere battle he insisted to give command to Faik pasha who was commander of 2nd AC at reserve. But von Sanders disliked Faik pasha who was the 2nd Grand Master of Turkish Free Masons and a hero of Balkan Wars. von Sanders disliked many Turkish staff officers and commanders. He clashed over tactics. He wanted to let the British land and with an attack to destroy them. On the other hand Tukish Officers insisted not to allow British to land on gallipoli. Turks wanted to destroy British while they were on sea. Weber Pasha was one of them who supported Turkish tactics. At the end von Sanders appointed Faik pasha to Right Wing Command. Faik Pasha attacked to British according to the orders which coused coused great casualties. Faik Pasha and other Turkish commanders was dismissed by von Sanders. But Grand Vezier Talat Pasha who was the 1st Grand Master of Turkish Free Masons made him again the commander of 12th AC at East Front wher he was killed in acttion at the front of his soldiers.
Just before the 2nd Kerevizdere battle in July 8th 1915 Weber Pasha was dismissed by von Sanders.
From that time on no trace of Weber Pasha in Turkey.
source: Tank Staff Col. (R.) Asst. Prof. Dr.İsmet Görülü, "On Yıllık Harbin Kadrosu, s.69-78, Ankara, 1993 ( The Personal of the Ten Years Long War p.69-78 Ankara, 1993)

PS : My note: I am not sure if von Sanders is happy in the other world?

[Wolfgang Klaus]

As a member of the German military mission in Istanbul also Weber Pascha had the permission to take his family to Turkey. As he did his daughter met a young German navy officer, who arrived with the BRESLAU. The affair started and with the permission of the Higher Navy Command and after the prove, that the income of this young officer was sufficient, both married in Istanbul in a ceremony hold by the priest of the ambassy and later navy priest Graf (Earl) von Lüttichau. The name of the officer was Karl Dönitz, later Großadmiral, deputy of Hitler and the man, who signed the German surrender 8 may 1945.

[Tosun Saral]

Thank you Wolfgang for the information.

[Peter H]

Yes,thanks Wolf.

Ingeborg Weber was her name.

Regards
Peter


From: http://www.ullsteinbild.de/

[Peter H]

This was on ebay ages ago,Dönitz(holding dog) aboard SMS Goeben

[Wolfgang Klaus]

Thanks Peter for the pictures, which I didn't knew. Here is another one, which is well known but the names are not always available. Dönitz joint later the Wasserfliegerabteilung in Gallipoli as well.

[Wolfgang Klaus]

Lt Hildebrandt in the last row on the left was later the leader of the sqd, which supported with their machineguns around the Kocaçimen Tepe the defence and was killed on the 8th August 1915. Lt Boltz (behind the Cdt) was the first commander of the Marine-Landungsabteilung, which arrived on 3rd May 1915 on the battlefield. Rolf Carls (turning his head to the right) joined also later the Marine-Landungsabteilung and became a also a very famous Generaladmiral in the Reichsmarine and died 1945 during a bombraid.

[Peter H]

Thanks Wolf

SMS Breslau of course--I got my ships confused.

Regards
Peter

[Stellan Bojerud]

Weber Pasha commanded the XVth AC at Kumkale on the Asian side until May 7th 1915. By the order of von Sander he was made commander of South Group during the first days of Gallipoli battles.
He commanded the 2nd Kirte battle in May 6/8 1915 and the battles of May 9/24th 1915. South Grouıp Command was at the order of 3rd AC but on May 4th attached to the order of 5th Army.
He commanded 3rd Kirte Battle in June 4/6 1915, 1st Kerevizdere battle in June 21/22 1915 and Zigindere battle in June 28th-July3rd 1915. Before the Zigindere battle he insisted to give command to Faik pasha who was commander of 2nd AC at reserve. But von Sanders disliked Faik pasha who was the 2nd Grand Master of Turkish Free Masons and a hero of Balkan Wars. von Sanders disliked many Turkish staff officers and commanders. He clashed over tactics. He wanted to let the British land and with an attack to destroy them. On the other hand Tukish Officers insisted not to allow British to land on gallipoli. Turks wanted to destroy British while they were on sea. Weber Pasha was one of them who supported Turkish tactics. At the end von Sanders appointed Faik pasha to Right Wing Command. Faik Pasha attacked to British according to the orders which coused coused great casualties. Faik Pasha and other Turkish commanders was dismissed by von Sanders. But Grand Vezier Talat Pasha who was the 1st Grand Master of Turkish Free Masons made him again the commander of 12th AC at East Front wher he was killed in acttion at the front of his soldiers.
Just before the 2nd Kerevizdere battle in July 8th 1915 Weber Pasha was dismissed by von Sanders.
From that time on no trace of Weber Pasha in Turkey.
source: Tank Staff Col. (R.) Asst. Prof. Dr.İsmet Görülü, "On Yıllık Harbin Kadrosu, s.69-78, Ankara, 1993 ( The Personal of the Ten Years Long War p.69-78 Ankara, 1993)

PS : My note: I am not sure if von Sanders is happy in the other world?

Very interesting!

1) Was General Weber Pasha succeded by Vehip Pasha as CO Southern Front?
2) According to my notes Gen Weber was an Engineering officer.