Emil Leeb

Emil Leeb (17 June 1881 – 8 September 1969) was a Bavarian-German general who saw active service during both World Wars. His older brother, who became Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, had the knightly rank of "Ritter" and the nobiliary particle of "von", not by birth, but thanks to the conferment of the Bavarian Military Order of Max Joseph and a patent of nobility. Hence, the older brother had “von” between his names, but the younger brother did not.

Military career

Leeb entered Army service on 7 July 1901. After being promoted to Leutnant (junior lieutenant) on 9 March 1903 he served in the 4th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment König (7 July 1901 – 2 June 1914). During this period he attended the War School in Munich, the Bavarian Artillery & Engineer School, and then the Bavarian War Academy. He was promoted to Oberleutnant (senior lieutenant) on 26 October 1911 and then to Hauptmann (captain) on 1 June 1915.

First World War