Adolf Proost
{{Short description|Belgian military (1853–1921)}}
{{Infobox military person
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| name = Adolf Proost
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| image = Lieutenantgeneral_a_proost-1613892912.jpg
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1853|02|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium
| death_date = {{death date and age|1921|03|01|1853|02|12|df=y}}
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| allegiance = {{flag|Belgium}}
| branch = Belgian Armed Forces
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| rank = Lieutenant General
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| commands = 2e Cavalry Brigade (1914–1915)
1e Cavalry Division (1915–1918)
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Adolf Proost (1853–1921) was a Belgian lieutenant general.
{{Cite web|url=http://www.archiefbankkempen.be/index.php/proost-adolf-1853-1921-lietenant-Algemeen-heist-op-den-berg;isad|title=Proost Adolf (1853-1921), lieutenant general (Heist-op-den-Berg) - Archiefbank Kempen|access-date=2017-06-08|website=www.archiefbankkempen.be}} He played a part in the Battle of the Silver Helmets which was a battle between German and Belgian mounted army units at the start of World War I on 12 August 1914 near Halen.
Battle of Halen
The confrontation has been called the last great cavalry charge with the white saber in Western Europe.
{{Cite web|url=https://groetenuittienen.blog/2017/03/27/never-more-war-never-war-again-kein-krieg-mehr-plus-de-guerre/|title=HLN Tienen No more war!|access-date=2017-06-08|author=Theo Herbots, the voice|website=Theo Herbots, The voice, Tienen, BE}} Proost was commander of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade{{Cite web|language=en|author=Joe Robinson, Janet Robinson, Francis Hendriks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qKnHDgAAQBAJ&q=Proost|title=The Last Great Cavalry Charge: The Battle of the Silver Helmets-Halen-12 August 1914|website=Fonthill Media|date=3 May 2017 |access-date=2017-05-03}} and, contrary to General De Witte's orders, decided not to deploy his lancers on the designated obscure area between the woods at Loksbergen and Halen. He chose because of the better view of the approaching Germans for another, more strategic[http://wandelmee.weebly.com/uploads/4/5/0/7/45075025/fotozoektocht_museum_slag_der_zilveren_helmen.pdf Slag der zilveren helmen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006134039/http://wandelmee.weebly.com/uploads/4/5/0/7/45075025/fotozoektocht_museum_slag_der_zilveren_helmen.pdf |date=2021-10-06 }} (PDF) location, at the Iron Mining farm, which became the central point of defense during the battle. The battle was a temporary success for the Belgian army, although 160 Belgians were killed against 140 Germans.
On January 5, 1915, Proost V.L.A. became commander of the 1st Cavalry Division. {{cite book |last = de Broqueville |first = Charles |date = 1915 |title = Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur Belge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jo-AQAAMAAJ |location = Le Havre |publisher = Drukkerij van den Moniteur Belge |page = 58 |access-date = 19 August 2024 |language = nl, fr }} and on April 30, 1915 he was promoted to lieutenant general. {{cite book |last = de Broqueville |first = Charles |date = 1915 |title = Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur Belge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jo-AQAAMAAJ |location = Le Havre |publisher = Drukkerij van den Moniteur Belge |page = 216 |access-date = 19 August 2024 |language = nl, fr }}
Awards
- 80px: Grand Officer with palm in the Order of Leopold (Belgium) (1917) {{cite book |last = De Ceuninck |first = Armand |author-link = Armand De Ceuninck |date = 1917 |title = Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur Belge |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=np8-AQAAMAAJ |location = Le Havre |publisher = Drukkerij van den Moniteur Belge |page = 878 |access-date = 19 August 2024 |language = nl, fr }}
- 80px: Croix de Guerre (Belgium) {{cite book |last = de Broqueville |first = Charles |author-link = Charles de Broqueville |date = 5 November 1916 |title = Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur Belge |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jo-AQAAMAAJ |location = Le Havre |publisher = Drukkerij van den Moniteur Belge |page = 625 |access-date = 19 August 2024 |language = nl, fr }}
References
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Category:Belgian military personnel of World War I