Who's Who - Ludwig von Schroder
Ludwig von Schroder (1854-1933) commanded German naval forces along the Belgian coast during the First World War.
The outbreak of war in August 1914 resulted in Schroder's emergence from retirement, and was given responsibility for German naval forces along the Belgian coast. A division of Schroder's marines played a role in the capture of Antwerp in October 1914.
Schroder's force was consequently expanded to corps size, although the German advance was brought to a standstill at the Yser in December 1914.
From that point onwards until October 1918 Schroder spent the majority of his time overseeing the defence of Germany's recently-secured naval bases at Bruges, Ostend and Zeebrugge.
His role in throwing back a concerted British raid at Zeebrugge on 23 April 1918 was widely publicised in the German press, earning Schroder the nickname 'the Lion of Flanders'.
As a consequence of the Allies' Courtrai Offensive in October 1918 Schroder's force was obliged to move eastwards. The following month he retired.
Awarded the prestigious Pour le Merite in October 1915 and the Oakleaves in December 1917, Ludwig von Schroder died in 1933.
"ANZAC" was coined in 1915 from the initials of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
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