Sold – His Famous Hindenburg Line in 1916, the Field Marshal Tells His Nephew How Busy He Is

Initially Von Hindenburg was placed in command of the German Army on the Eastern Front, and there in 1914 gained the most decisive military victory of World War I, annihilating the Russians at Tannenberg and removing them as a factor in the conflict. He became the most popular figure in Germany, and in August 1916, after the war against Britain and France bogged down into the quagmire of the trenches and the carnage at Verdun failed to yield any benefit, the Kaiser named him Commander-in-Chief on the Western Front. He determined to avoid costly and hitherto ineffective offensive operations on his front, build a strong defensive position, and let the Allies batter themselves to death against it. Meanwhile, Germany and the Central Powers would pursue the offensive on other fronts in which the Allies were weaker. It was a brilliant plan and in November 1916, Germany started implementing it and building the Hindenburg Line of defenses. At that same time, his nephew made the old general happy by winning the iron cross for bravery. He then received this letter from his commander and uncle.

Autograph Letter Signed in indelible pencil, Central Headquarters, November 27, 1916, to his nephew, offering “Congratulations on the Iron Cross, First Class!” He continues by saying that he shares his nephew’s happiness on the receipt of the order, and signs as “your very busy Uncle, Paul v. Hindenburg.”

The main flaw in Hindenburg’s plan was that it did not take into account that the Americans would come into the war and destabilize the situation. In 1918, they would breach the Hindenburg Line and Germany would lose the war.