General Friedrich Paulus

Friedrich Paulus was a German military officer during World War II, best known for commanding the German Sixth Army during the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942-1943. Despite initially pushing aggressively into the Soviet city, his forces became encircled by the Red Army. Facing overwhelming odds, Paulus surrendered in January 1943, marking a significant defeat for Germany. His decision to surrender was notable because he disobeyed Hitler’s orders to fight to the death, and he later expressed regret about the battle, highlighting the enormous human and strategic costs of the Eastern Front.