Erich von Ludendorff

Erich von Ludendorff was one of the most successful and recognized military leaders of the German Empire during the Great War. He was born in Prussia near Posen (now Poznan) in 1865. After graduating from military school, he began his officer career in 1885 as a troop officer. He graduated from staff officer school in 1893, and on the recommendation of the school commander, he was assigned to the general staff. He was corps commander from 1902 to 1904, and then again served at the general staff. He participated in the development of the German military strategy, the Schlieffen Plan.

At the outbreak of the Great War, Ludendorff was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Second Army. He took part in the siege of the Belgian forts near Liege (his task was to prepare this during the preparation of the Schlieffen Plan). For this act of war, he was awarded the Order of Honor by the German ruler. After that, he participated in the Tannenberg victory against the Russians on Hindenburg’s side. After that, Hindenburg was appointed Chief of the General Staff. Together with him, Ludendorff also joined the general staff. In this position, he received a new task in the organization of German military production. According to historians, this made him the most influential person in the German Empire. Accordingly, in 1918, he was made responsible and removed from his position due to the problems that were already brewing.

He had no direct connection with Austro-Hungarian troops. Due to his great power and his connection to Hindenburg, he was also included in the general portrait hall of the Arkansas company.