The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-02

lie was an old man, pre-
pared to spend his remaining
days in peace at Hanover,
when his country recalled him
TO save it from Russian ar
mics in 1914.
He became the hero Of Tannen-
burg. He was made field marshal.
But he saw the empire crumble,
his Kaiser flee. and a republic es-
taDlIshed. Again he retired.
Recalled Again
But again he was reCalled-this
time to serve as president Of the
German republic - and again he
needed the call OF duty.
Thus the story Of Paul Won Hin
denburg. who lived three lives for
his country: Soldier. hero. states
man.
When Hindenburg completed the
first Of his three lives he was
only an obscure heutenant-g general
In a nation Of military men.
He was born in POsen. East Prus-
sia-a city he later was TO see given
to Poland by the Versailles treaty
Oct. ,. 1847, OF a line which long
had served the Hohenzollerns. His
father was a soldier, his mother OF
old PrusSian stock.
Joined Cadet Corps
Young Paul received his training
at the gymnasium at Gross GlOgsu,
after which he joined the cadet
corps at Wahlstadt.
He was a young Lieutenant. just
out of the military cademy, when
Prussia and Austria went to war
III 1866. In the battle of KOenig-
gractz a bullet penetrated his spiked
helmet and grazed his scalp. He
was decorated for bravery in the
battle of SadOwa
In the FrancO-PruSsian war, Hin
denburg. now risen TO a captaincy,
distinguished himself in the storm
ing OF St. Privat and was decorated
for bravery at Sedan.
Four years later the future field
marshal was selected for promo
ton to the general staff, the goal
Of all officers.
Married in 1879
Hindenburg married Gertrud Won
Sporting, Sept. "A, 1879. They had
one son, OSkar, who later became a
colonel and was aid de camp when
his father was president. linden /
burg's wife died IN May, 1921.
In the peaceful years that fol- /
lowed. Hindenburg studied military
Startegy and won gradual promo
ton. He became a major-general
IN 1900. a ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in 1908.
Then. in 1913. he retired, his period
Of usefulness apparently over
But the following year at Sara
ievO a shot was fired that quickly
embroilcd all Europe in war. Aus
tria threatened Serbia; Russia came
10 her aid: Germany sided with
Austria: France joined Russia; Ger
man armies entered Belgium; Eng
land declared war on Germany
And soon Russian armies we're
striking deep at Germany on her
eastern front.
This was the situation when Hin
denburG was recalled TO save Ger
many from Russia.
Executed Old Strategy
How he did it became history.
Crafty executing an old strategy
planned in the DAYS when he was
studying military tactics. the Ger
man line gave way while the Rus
slams advanced into the AiaSurian
Lake region.
Then the line snapped back and
bewildered Russian leaders saw
themselves overwhelmed. Thousands
died in the marshes. The Russians
were annihIated. About 100000
were taken prisoner.
The battle of Tannenburg was
won and Hindenburg. the Mad Old
Man Of MaSuTisn Lakes" was
popular hero. old Man"-and he
was to be serving his country still. I
two decades later.
HiudcnburgS success on the /
eastern front. ending the Russian
threat. made his selection as chief
OF staff IN 1916 inevitable. He took
the post with a stern warning that
the situation was serious. after the
failure Of German armies to take
Verdun.
But soon the terrible Hindenburg
line was deeply entrenched IN 4
France. with the combined forces I
Of the allies fighting desperately to
stem its advance.