Anton Ludwig Friedrich August von Mackensen (6 December 1849 – 8 November 1945), born August Mackensen, was a German field marshal.[2] He commanded successfully during the First World War and became one of the German Empire's most prominent and competent military leaders. After the Armistice, Mackensen was interned for a year. He retired from the army in 1920 and was made a Prussian state councillor in 1933 by Hermann Göring. During the Nazi era, Mackensen remained a committed monarchist and sometimes appeared at official functions in his First World War uniform. He was suspected of disloyalty to the Third Reich, although nothing was proven against him.

August von Mackensen, German field marshal in hussar full dress prior to 1914, with the Totenkopf on his fur busby
Totenkopf (i.e. skull, literally 'dead's head') is the German word for the skull and crossbones (or "death's head") symbol. The "skull and crossbones" symbol is an old international symbol for death, the defiance of death, danger, or the dead, as well as piracy or toxicity. It consists usually of the human skull with or without the mandible and often includes two crossed long-bones (femurs), most often depicted with the crossbones being behind some part of the skull.
The term Totenkopf is commonly associated with 19th- and 20th-century German military use.

Source: Wikipedia

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