He fought in the Second Schleswig War against Denmark in 1844, the Austro-Prussian War against the Austrian Empire in 1866 and in the Franco-Prussian War (19 July 1870 – 10 May 1871) against the Second French Empire of Napoleon III of France, nephew of Napoleon Bonoparte. He inherited Castle Schochwitz from his father. The castle had been in the family since its purchase by Gebhart von Alvensleben in 1783.