Career
General von Plessen also held the office of His Majesty"s Orderly Adjutant General (German: Master of Science diensttuender Generaladjutant) to Kaiser Wilhelm II, thus making him one of the Emperor"s closest confidants. By 1918 he was the oldest serving officer in the Imperial German Army, although Paul von Hindenburg falsely claimed this for himself. He remained devoted to the Kaiser until the collapse of the monarchy in November, 1918.
Fähnrich—1 September 1861
Leutnant—11 November 1862
Oberleutnant—22 March 1868
Hauptmann—16 April 1872
Major—18 May 1879
Oberstleutnant—14 July 1885
Oberst—4 August 1888
Generalmajor—9 February 1891
Generalleutnant—14 May 1894
Generaloberst—19 September 1908.