Important People

John J. Pershing

Born on September 30 1860, John J Pershing is best known for his involvment  as Commander of American armies in Europe during World War I. He graduated from West Point and served on the western frontier, in the Spanish American War, in the Philippines, and as commander of a punitive raid against Pancho Villa. Pershing is the only person to be promoted in his own lifetime to the highest rank ever help in the US Armies. His autobiography, My Experience of War, was published in 1931, winning the Pulitzer Prize for history in 1932. John Joseph Pershing died on July 15, 1948 in Washington, D.C. His live is still remembered for his work accomplished as Command of the Armies.








Earl Haig

Field Marshall Douglas Haig is most associated with the Battle of the Somme in World War One. Douglas Haig was Britain’s commander-in-chief during the Somme battle and took much criticism for the sheer loss of life in this battle. In 1906, Haig went to the War Office as director of military training. His responsibilities included the organization of a British Expeditionary Force (BEF) for deployment in the event of war with Germany. On the outbreak of war in 1914, Haig was commanding the BEF's 1st Army Corps  The battle of the Somme was one of the bloody of the First World War, more British soldiers had been killed than in any other battle before it. It earned Haig the title 'Butcher of the Somme', after he unnecessarily sent thousands of British troops to their deaths. Haig served as commander in chief of British Home Forces from 1918 until his retirement in 1921. He also helped establish the Royal British Legion and worked hard to raise funds for it. He was created an earl in 1919 and died on January 28 1928.

Erich von Ludendorff

Ludendorff was a German General who was a brilliant strategist and successful commander. He directed Germany's total war effort during WWI as he was the architect of the victory over the Russians at Tannenberg as he served as chief of staff to Paul con Hindenburg. His right-wing extremism manifested itself after the war in sympathy with the Kapp-Putsch and in participation in Hitler's revolt in Munich in 1923. For this he was tried and acquitted. He was a National Socialist member of the Reichstag (1924-28), and ran unsuccessfully for president in 1925.