Hans von Beseler

German general

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July 21, 2026

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Hans von Beseler was a German general who played a significant role in World War I. He commanded the III Reserve Corps during the Siege of Antwerp in 1914. This siege demonstrated the vulnerability of fortifications to modern German heavy artillery, including the formidable "Big Bertha". Despite the eventual fall of Antwerp, the Belgian resistance highlighted their determination to continue fighting on the Allied side. Beseler's forces were instrumental in this early conflict of the war.1

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Siege of Antwerp
General Hans von Beseler’s III Reserve Corps—chosen to attack Antwerp—contained only five understrength divisions, but it had been reinforced with 173 heavy artillery pieces. These included the super-heavy howitzers, such as the 420mm “Big Bertha,” that had proved so effective against Liège and Namur.
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General Hans von Beseler’s III Reserve Corps—chosen to attack Antwerp—contained only five understrength divisions, but it had been reinforced with 173 heavy artillery pieces. These included the super-heavy howitzers, such as the 420mm “Big Bertha,” that had proved so effective against Liège and Namur.
Read More