Asch joined the Cadet Corps of the Bavarian army. In 1859 he was advanced to the rank of an Unterleutnant and took part in the Austro-Prussian War. In 1870 he became Second Adjutant of General Ludwig von der Tann and participated in the Franco-Prussian War. In 1879 he was transferred to the Bavarian War Ministry. After his time as War Minister after 1893, he was retired in 1905.