Paul von Hindenburg
World War 1 leader
About him
Paul von Hindenburg fought in the Battle of Koniggratz and the Franco-Prussian War in the 1800s. He retired form the German Army in 1911, but was called back at the outbreak of World War I. He became Chief of Staff in August 1916. Hindenburg and Erich von Ludendorff formed the Third Supreme Command. They held power until defeat was inevitable in 1918. He retired from the army in 1918, and in 1925 he replaced Friedrich Albert as Germany's President. Hitler was unable to overthrown Hindenburg because of his popularity with Germany's people, until his death in 1934.