Page "Sigismund von Schlichting" Paragraph 1

Schlichting was born in Berlin, the son of a Prussian general who was then the commander of the Kriegsakademie ( War Academy ).

In many respects his early career was typical: he matriculated in the cadet corps and received his commission as a lieutenant at the age of 18.

Instead of attending the War Academy, however, he was educated at the universities of Bonn and Göttingen.

In 1861 he was promoted to captain and given command of a company.

He saw action against Austria in the Seven Weeks War of 1866, and at the end of that year was promoted to major and seconded to the General Staff.

Schlichting returned to the line in 1870 and commanded an infantry battalion in the Franco-Prussian War.