Oscar Hammerstein I an early age. His mother died when he was fifteen years old. During his youth, Hammerstein's father wanted him to continue with his education, and to specialize in subjects such as algebra, but Hammerstein wanted to pursue music. After Oscar went skating in a park one day, his father found out and whipped him as punishment; this would spur Hammerstein to run away to North America. After selling his violin, Hammerstein ran away to Liverpool, and from there, took a three-month journey to the United States arriving in New York City in 1864. Hammerstein made ends meet initially by working
Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord the aversion of Hammerstein against political extremism and military risks. Hammerstein-Equord was loyal to the Weimar Republic, a close friend of Kurt von Schleicher Hammerstein worked out first tactical concepts for the army in the Truppenamt. They provided for a sustained defense in an attack until the League of Nations would intervene. In contrast, 1930 was created under his direction the first mobilization plan since 1923, which scheduled the tripling of the seven Infantry Division to 21. In 1930 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Reichswehr, replacing General Wilhelm Heye. Schleicher (now defense minister) with support from Brüning made Hammerstein