Erich Ludendorff

Erich Ludendorff was a German army officer and political figure. He was born on 9 April 1865 in Kruszewnia, a village in the Kingdom of Prussia. At that time, Prussia was a major German state. Ludendorff is best known for his role as a leading general during World War I, where he helped direct Germany’s military actions.

Ludendorff entered military school at a young age and later joined the Prussian army. He was trained as a professional officer and worked in planning roles before the war. A general is a high-ranking army officer who commands large groups of soldiers. Ludendorff gained early attention for his organizational skills and knowledge of military strategy, which is the planning of war actions.

At the start of World War I in 1914, Ludendorff served on the Western Front. He soon became involved in fighting against Russia on the Eastern Front. There he worked closely with Paul von Hindenburg. Together, they led German forces in major battles, including the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914. This battle resulted in a large defeat for Russian forces and increased Ludendorff’s reputation.

In 1916, Ludendorff was appointed First Quartermaster General. Despite the title, this position made him one of the most powerful leaders in Germany. He shared control of the army with Hindenburg. During this time, military leaders had strong influence over the government. Ludendorff supported total war, which meant using all of a country’s resources for the war effort.

As the war continued, Germany faced many problems, including shortages of food and supplies. Ludendorff supported unrestricted submarine warfare, meaning German submarines attacked ships without warning. This policy helped bring the United States into the war in 1917. Germany was unable to overcome its enemies, and in 1918 the war ended in defeat for Germany.

After World War I, Ludendorff left the army. He later became involved in politics and supported nationalist movements in Germany. He took part in the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 alongside Adolf Hitler. A putsch is a sudden attempt to take power. Ludendorff spent his later years writing and speaking about his ideas. He died on 20 December 1937 in Munich.