Count Viktor Dankl von Krasnik was a highly decorated career Austro-Hungarian officer who reached the pinnacle of his service during World War I with promotion to the rare rank of Colonel General (Generaloberst). His successful career met an abrupt end in 1916 due to both his performance on the Italian front and health issues. After the war he would be a vocal apologist for both his country's war record and the dethroned Habsburg monarchy.