# Friedrich Paulus

> German general (1890–1957)

**Wikidata**: [Q57160](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57160)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Paulus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/friedrich-paulus

## Summary
Friedrich Paulus was a German general best known for commanding the Sixth Army during World War II's Battle of Stalingrad, where he became the first German field marshal to be captured by enemy forces. His military career spanned both World Wars, and his surrender marked a pivotal moment in the decline of Nazi Germany’s military dominance.

## Biography
- Born: September 23, 1890, in Guxhagen, German Empire
- Nationality: German
- Education: University of Marburg
- Known for: Commanding the German Sixth Army during the Battle of Stalingrad and subsequent capture by Soviet forces
- Employer(s): Wehrmacht (Nazi Germany), National Committee for a Free Germany
- Field(s): Military leadership, World War II strategy

## Contributions
Friedrich Paulus contributed to German military leadership during both World Wars:
- **Early Military Career**: Served in World War I and remained in the military through the Weimar Republic and into Nazi Germany.
- **Battle of Stalingrad (1942–1943)**: Appointed commander of the Sixth Army, he led German forces during one of the most significant and devastating battles of World War II. His capture by Soviet forces in February 1943 marked a turning point in the war.
- **Post-Capture Role**: After being captured, Paulus joined the National Committee for a Free Germany, a Soviet-backed organization aimed at promoting anti-Nazi sentiment among German prisoners of war.

## FAQs
### What is Friedrich Paulus most known for?
Friedrich Paulus is most known for commanding the German Sixth Army during the Battle of Stalingrad and being captured by Soviet forces in 1943, marking a major defeat for Nazi Germany.

### What role did Friedrich Paulus play in World War II?
Paulus served as a high-ranking general in the Wehrmacht and commanded the Sixth Army during the Battle of Stalingrad. After his capture, he became a symbol of German military defeat and later participated in anti-Nazi propaganda efforts.

### What happened to Friedrich Paulus after the Battle of Stalingrad?
After his capture at Stalingrad, Paulus was held in Soviet custody and later joined the National Committee for a Free Germany, a group that sought to influence German POWs to oppose the Nazi regime.

### What military awards did Friedrich Paulus receive?
Paulus received numerous military honors, including:
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Clasp to the Iron Cross
- Wound Badge (1939) in Black
- Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award
- Sudetenland Medal
- Anschluss Medal
- Eastern Medal

### Where did Friedrich Paulus study?
Paulus was educated at the University of Marburg, where he studied history and philosophy.

### What was Friedrich Paulus's role in the National Committee for a Free Germany?
After his capture by the Soviets, Paulus joined the National Committee for a Free Germany, a group formed to encourage German soldiers to oppose the Nazi regime. He became a symbolic figure in anti-Nazi propaganda.

### When did Friedrich Paulus die?
Friedrich Paulus died on February 1, 1957, in Dresden, East Germany.

## Why They Matter
Friedrich Paulus matters because his leadership during the Battle of Stalingrad and his subsequent capture marked a turning point in World War II. His defeat was a major blow to Nazi Germany's military prestige and morale. After his capture, Paulus became a symbolic figure in the Soviet Union's efforts to promote anti-Nazi sentiment, influencing the post-war political landscape in East Germany.

## Notable For
- Commanding the German Sixth Army during the Battle of Stalingrad
- Being the first German field marshal captured by enemy forces
- Joining the National Committee for a Free Germany after his capture
- Receiving the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Serving in both World War I and World War II
- Being used as a propaganda symbol by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Friedrich Paulus was born on September 23, 1890, in Guxhagen, within the German Empire. He pursued higher education at the University of Marburg, where he studied history and philosophy. His early academic interests laid the foundation for his later military career, which began in World War I.

### Military Career
Paulus joined the German military during World War I and continued his service through the Weimar Republic and into Nazi Germany. He quickly rose through the ranks due to his strategic acumen and loyalty to the regime.

### World War II and the Battle of Stalingrad
Paulus was appointed commander of the Sixth Army and led German forces during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942–1943). The battle became one of the most significant and devastating confrontations of World War II. Paulus's forces were encircled and ultimately surrendered in February 1943. He was captured by Soviet forces, becoming the first German field marshal to be taken prisoner.

### Capture and Propaganda
After his capture, Paulus was held in Soviet custody and later joined the National Committee for a Free Germany, a group formed to encourage German soldiers to oppose the Nazi regime. His cooperation with the Soviets made him a symbolic figure in anti-Nazi propaganda.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Paulus received numerous military honors:
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Clasp to the Iron Cross
- Wound Badge (1939) in Black
- Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award
- Sudetenland Medal
- Anschluss Medal
- Eastern Medal

### Post-War Life and Death
Paulus lived in East Germany after the war and died on February 1, 1957, in Dresden. His legacy remains tied to his pivotal role in World War II and the symbolic impact of his capture and defection.

### Legacy
Paulus's military career and capture had lasting implications for both German and Soviet propaganda efforts. His story reflects the broader consequences of military defeat and ideological conflict during World War II.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Genealogics
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-116564)
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. SNAC
10. Find a Grave
11. Discogs
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
14. Croatian Encyclopedia
15. Munzinger Personen
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. CONOR.SI
18. Library of Congress Control Number
19. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands