Friedrich wilhelm ernst paulus biography examples
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Friedrich Paulus facts for kids
Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus (23 September 1890 – 1 February 1957) was a German field marshal during World War II who is best known for commanding the 6th Army during the Battle of Stalingrad (August 1942 to February 1943). The battle ended in disaster for the Wehrmacht when Soviet forces encircled the Germans within the city, leading to the ultimate death or capture of most of 265,000 6th army personnel, their Axis allies and collaborators.
Paulus fought in World War I and saw action in France and the Balkans. He was considered a promising officer; by the time World War II broke out he had been promoted to major general. Paulus took part in the Poland and Low Countries campaigns, after which he was named deputy chief of the German Army General Staff. In that capacity, Paulus helped plan the invasion of the Soviet Union.
In 1942, Paulus was given command of the 6th Army despite his lack of field experience. He led the drive to Stalingrad but wa
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Friedrich Paulus: The German Field Marshal On the Soviet Payroll
The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the most deadly engagements of the Second World War. It’s also where soon-to-be German Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich Paulus earned his fame commanding the 6th Army – until he surrendered, that is. Taken as a prisoner of war (POW) by the Soviet Red Army, he eventually began publicly criticizing the regime he once fought for. In fact, he went so far as to work on propaganda campaigns for his captors.
Friedrich Paulus’ early life
Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus was born on September 23, 1890 in Guxhagen, Prussia. As a young man, he attempted to enlist in the Imperial German Navy, but was unsuccessful and opted, instead, to study law at the University of Marburg. Still determined to have a career in the military, however, he left higher education and joined the 111th Infantry Regiment in February 1910 as an officer cadet.
During the First World War, Paulus saw combat in France,
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General Friedrich Paulus, the commander of the German 6th Army now besieged in Stalingrad, was facing up to the realities of the situation. It was immediately obvious that the decision to break out, which he had already suggested, would have to be taken very quickly.
Without food, fuel or heating the Army was already weakening by the hour. It was becoming clear that staying in the city meant disaster. Soon they would not have enough fuel to be able to break out anyway. And all the time the Soviet forces around them grew stronger.
Paulus was not getting any klar directions from the German High Command, although it seems that Hitler had already made the decision not to allow a break out.
Paulus was a man who believed strongly in the military hierarchy and the need to follow orders strictly. He argued that if he did not underkasta orders then he could not expect his subordinates to follow theirs. But he also had a very klar appreciation of the situation that his Army was now