Willy Martin Ernst Rohr (19 May 1877 – 8 March 1930) was a German Army officer who was a major contributor to the development of infantry tactics in World War I, particularly for the system of Storm Battalions.

In 1915, Rohr was transferred to the Major Calsow detachment and formed the Loretto Front with two pioneer companies.

These fought unsuccessfully, the battalions were renamed the Sturmabteilung Calsow, and their leadership found other employment in the Armeeabteilung Gaede.

In December 1915, the first training course in the technique was held in the general's presence on the Schlossberg at Achkarren[6] As a result of its success the detachment was moved in February 1916 to the 5th Army (Crown Prince Wilhelm) to take part in the Verdun offensive.

When asked about the failure of the daily attacks, Rohr attributed it primarily to the infantry's inexperience with hand-to-hand fighting.

Also he considered the cooperation between the infantry and their accompanying weapons, such as machine guns and light mortars, to be insufficient.

For teaching purposes, the battalion built a practice fort in the forest near the ruined village of Doncourt.

At the request of the Crown Prince Army Group, on 7 February 1917, the battalion received the designation Sturm-Bataillon Nr.

In January 1918, Rohr was assigned command of the first deutsche Sturm-Panzer-Kraftwagen-Abteilung (German Armored Vehicle Detachment), a tank unit.

Rohr went on 11 March 1918 to AOK 18, the 18th Army headquarters, in Leschelle to make preparations for a major attack, Operation Michael.

When the emperor fled 48 hours later, Major Rohr obtained approval from OHL and left Spa with his battalion in the direction of Germany.

[citation needed] Since the major received no suitable command in the Reichswehr and had to take supply jobs on the staff, he decided to officially resign his post.