My War Memories, 1914-1918
General von Stein, who was at that time Quartermaster-General, and later became Minister of War, concluded his letter by saying :
" You must go, therefore. The interests of the State make it imperative. Your task is a difficult one, but you are equal to it."
From Captain von Rochow I learnt that General von Hinden-burg was to be Commander-in-Chief, but that it was not yet known where he was to be found or whether he would accept the post.
I was proud of my new task and of the trust placed in me, as revealed by the two letters. I was exalted at the thought of serving my Emperor, Army and Fatherland, in a position of great responsibility at a most critical point. Love of country, loyalty to my Sovereign, appreciation of the truth that the duty of everyone is to devote his life to his family and the State, this was the heritage which I took with me from my home as my portion in life. My parents were not wealthy ; their devoted efforts had not brought them any material reward. Our happy and harmonious family life was conducted on very economical and simple lines. Both my father and my mother sacrificed their all in providing for their six children. I take this opportunity of thanking them before the whole world.
I had to fight my way honourably through life when I was a young officer, but my enjoyment did not suffer on that account. Much of my time was spent in my simple subaltern's quarters in Wesel, Wilhelmshaven and Kiel, reading works on history, military history and geography. The knowledge I had acquired as a boy developed and bore fruit. I learned to be proud of my Fatherland and its great men., and ardently worshipped at the shrine of Bismarck's powerful and passionate genius.
The work of our Reigning House for Prussian-Germany stood out in the clearest relief. The allegiance I had pledged on oath developed into a feeling of deep personal devotion. As I followed history step by step, I became more and more convinced that
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