Alexander Wilhelm Kolbe (? – 1860), was a German officer and Philhellene. Born in Berlin, he served as a sergeant in the Prussian Army during the Napoleonic Wars[1], against the French. He was distinguished for his bravery in Dresden and Waterloo[2].

He was one of the first Philhellenes to arrive in Greece during the Greek Revolution, as a volunteer, as early as 1821 and joined the German Legion. [3]. After its dissolution during the battle of Peta on July 4, 1822, he went briefly to Germany and returned back to Greece at the end of October 1822. During this period he took part in the final phase of the siege of Nafplio.[4].

Then he constantly participated in all phases of the liberation struggle of the Greeks.

In December 1822, he went to Messolonghi as a representative of the German Philhellenes, accompanying donations from the Philhellenic committees to support the Greek Revolution.[5]. There, he served as a first class caprare (from the Italian caporale)[6]. At the same time he was the bearer of the invitation of Lord Byron to the German Philhellenes in Greece to enroll in the new artillery corps under creation.[7].

In 1823, he participated in the campaign of Parnassos against Dervis Pasha, under the leadership of Nikitaras.[8].

On January 11, 1824, after a second visit to Darmstadt in Germany, [9],Kolbe returned to Messolonghi,[10], where he initially served as a captain in the campaign against Omer Vryonis in the plain of Ligovitsa, and on August 1, 1824, after the death of Lord Byron.[11]. After the exodus of Missolonghi, in April 1826, he took part in the Battle of Arachova (November 18-24, 1826).[12].It is worth noting that in this context, he organized an artillery unit, utilizing 6 cannons and two mortars which had been sent to the Greek fighters by the Philhellenic Committees of Germany.

Kolbe had several times undertaken to accompany to Greece from Germany financial and military aid, gathered by the Philhellenic Committees.

When I. Kapodistrias became governor of the country, Kolbe was appointed curator of the army and chief curator of the navy.[13]. In 1846, for an unknown reason, he was placed in the reserve list.[14].

He died in Poros in 1860, being appreciated for his long contribution to the liberation struggle of the Greeks, the important services he offered, as well as for the integrity and kindness of his character.[15].

For his action in Greece, he was honored with the medal of Excellence of the Struggle. For his previous service, he was honored with the Prussian Medal of the Black Eagle, which he received for his bravery in Dresden and Waterloo, where he was severely wounded, serving under General Gebhard Leberecht von Bluecher (1742-1819)[16].

References

[1] St Clair, William, ‘’That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence’’, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 125.

[2]https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%BE%CE%AC%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%81_%CE%9A%CF%8C%CE%BB%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%B5

[3] St Clair, William, ‘’That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence’’, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 125.

[4] ‘’Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια’’, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαιδείας, Αθήνα, 1929, δ’ τόμος, σελ.174.

[5] Τράιμπερ, Ερρίκος, ‘’Αναμνήσεις από την Ελλάδα 1822-1828’’, επιμ. δρ. Χρήστος Ν. Αποστολίδης, ιδ .εκδ., Αθήνα, 1960, σελ.56.

[6] https://paligenesia.parliament.gr/page.php?id=4959

[7] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[8] https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%BE%CE%AC%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%81_%CE%9A%CF%8C%CE%BB%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%B5

[9] St Clair, William, ‘’ That Greece Might Still Be Free. The Philhellenes in the War of Independence’’, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ.161.

[10] Τράιμπερ, Ερρίκος, ‘’Αναμνήσεις από την Ελλάδα 1822-1828’’, επιμ. δρ. Χρήστος Ν. Αποστολίδης, ιδ .εκδ., Αθήνα, 1960, σελ.59.

[11] Περιοδικό ‘’Εβδομάς’’, Αθήνα, Έτος Α’(1884), τόμος Α’ αρ. 1. (χωρίς ημερ.) ως και αρ. 27, 2 Σεπτεμβρίου 1884, εκδ. Κορίννη, Αθήνα, 1884, σελ.59.

[12]  Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[13] ‘’Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια’’, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαιδείας, Αθήνα, 1929, δ’ τόμος, σελ.174.

[14] Περιοδικό ‘’Εβδομάς’’, Αθήνα, Έτος Α’(1884), τόμος Α’ αρ. 1. (χωρίς ημερ.) ως και αρ. 27, 2 Σεπτεμβρίου 1884, εκδ. Κορίννη ,Αθήνα, 1884, σελ.59.

[15] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

[16] Βλ. στο ίδιο.

Sources – Bibliography

• St Clair, William, ‘’That Greece Might Still Be Free.The Philhellenes in the War of Independence’’, εκδ. Open Book Publishers, Λονδίνο, 2008.
• https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%BE%CE%AC%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%81_%CE%9A%CF%8C%CE%BB%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%B5.
• ‘’Μεγάλη Στρατιωτική και Ναυτική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια’’, εκδ. Μεγάλης Στρατιωτικής και Ναυτικής Εγκυκλοπαιδείας, Αθήνα, 1929, δ’ τόμος.
• https://paligenesia.parliament.gr/page.php?id=4959
• Τράιμπερ, Ερρίκος, ‘’Αναμνήσεις από την Ελλάδα 1822-1828’’, επιμ. δρ. Χρήστος Ν. Αποστολίδης, ιδ .εκδ., Αθήνα, 1960.
• Περιοδικό ‘’Εβδομάς’’, Αθήνα, Έτος Α’(1884), τόμος Α’ αρ. 1. (χωρίς ημερ.) ως και αρ. 27, 2 Σεπτεμβρίου 1884, εκδ. Κορίννη ,Αθήνα, 1884.