[citation needed] Batocki-Friebe was born at Gut Bledau, Cranz near Königsberg, East Prussia.

He served as Governor of East Prussia (1 October, 1914–1916 and 1918–1919), member of the Prussian House of Lords (1910–1918).

[2] The onset of the war led to an initial wave of refugees fleeing those areas that the Imperial German Army felt could not be effectively defended.

This led to a humanitarian crisis which the authorities hoped to mitigate by setting up the War Aid Commission (Kriegshilfskommission).

At their first plenary held on 12 October 1914, Batocki outlined his approach: He was a Knight of Justice of the Order of Saint John.