Arthur von Briesen was born in Metz, in Alsace-Lorraine, at the time part of the German Empire.

Promoted to the substantive rank of Lieutenant in May 1916, Briesen was appointed aide-de-camp in different staffs, including in the High Command from 1917 to September 1919.

In September 1919, Briesen was transferred to the police, where he stayed until 1 October 1934, when he rejoined the regular army with the rank of Commander (Major).

In 1939, following the completion of the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March, Briesen was appointed to command the city of Prague, where he remained for five years.

On 1 October 1942, Briesen was promoted to the rank of Generalmajor and in March 1944 was appointed commander of Brody in Ukraine.