Paul von Hindenburg
Paul von Hindenburg came out of retirement in August 1914 to command German forces in East Prussia and, with his chief of staff Erich Ludendorff, won the decisive victories of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes against the invading Russian armies. He was elevated to Field Marshal and became the dominant military figure in Germany after 1916, presiding with Ludendorff over what amounted to a military dictatorship. Despite his iconic status as a symbol of German resilience, Hindenburg presided over the military collapse of 1918 and helped orchestrate the 'stab in the back' myth that blamed Germany's defeat on civilian politicians rather than military failure. His later political career included appointment as President of the Weimar Republic and, in January 1933, appointing Adolf Hitler as Chancellor.
- Lived: 1847 CE – 1934 CE
- Nationality: German
- Roles: field marshal, commander, president
