Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus (23 September 1890 – 1 February 1957) was a German

field marshal during World War II who commanded the 6th Army during the Battle of
Stalingrad (August 1942 to February 1943). The battle ended in disaster for the
Wehrmacht when Soviet forces encircled the Germans within the city, leading to the
ultimate defeat and capture of about 265,000 German personnel, their Axis allies
and collaborators.

Paulus fought in World War I and saw action in France and the Balkans. He was
considered a promising officer; by the time World War II broke out he had been
promoted to major general. Paulus took part in the Poland and Low Countries
campaigns, after which he was named deputy chief of the German General Staff. In
that capacity, Paulus helped plan the invasion of the Soviet Union.

In 1942, Paulus was given command of the 6th Army despite his lack of field
experience. He led the drive to Stalingrad but was cut off and surrounded in the
subsequent Soviet counter-offensive. Adolf Hitler prohibited attempts to break out
or capitulate, and German defence was gradually worn down. Paulus surrendered in
Stalingrad on 31 January 1943,[Note 1] the same day on which he was informed of his
promotion to field marshal by Hitler. Hitler expected Paulus to commit suicide,[3]
repeating to his staff that there was no precedent of a German field marshal ever
being captured alive.

While in Soviet captivity during the war, Paulus became a vocal critic of the Nazi
regime and joined the Soviet-sponsored National Committee for a Free Germany. In
1953, Paulus moved to East Germany, where he worked in military history research.
He lived out the rest of his life in Dresden.