I remember Paul von Hindenburg (1847 – 1934) every year on this day of 2nd October mainly because I share my birthday with him.

He is one of the biggest names in modern German history. He was among the leading figures in Prussian-Austrian War (1866) and Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). He was appointed to the General Staff under Otto von Bismarck. He was a Field Marshal of East Prussian forces throughout World War I (1914 – 1918).

He later became the 2nd President of Germany in 1925 and remained so until 1934.

By 1929, the GDP of Germany was already much higher than before WWI and it doubled its exports compared to merely a few years ago. Germany was later hit by the great depression.

In 1930, during an interview with TIME, he said: “I have always been a Monarchist. In sentiment I still am. Now it is too late for me to change. But it is not for me to say that the new way is not the better way, the right way. So it may prove to be. I am not a pacifist. That is not my attitude. But all my impressions of war are so bad that I could be for it only under the sternest necessity – the necessity of fighting Bolshevism or of defending one’s country.”

Hitler and Hindenburg

In January 1933, under pressure from his colleagues, he appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor.

He died one year later, on August 2, 1934.

I saw people mostly had a positive view of him when I used to discuss him some years ago.

But if we talk about him today, then for some reason, people’s reaction toward him is now becoming increasingly negative.

The main reason behind this modified reception is that Berlin honorary citizenship was revoked by Germany in 2020, citing his decision to appoint Adolf Hitler as Chancellor.

This reminded me of a prophetic insight by Hindenburg’s own colleague, Erich Ludendorff, who wrote a telegram to Hindenburg, in reaction to Hindenburg’s appointment of Hitler. Lundendorff wrote: “You have delivered up our holy German Fatherland to one of the greatest demagogues of all time. I solemnly prophesy that this accursed man will cast our Reich into the abyss and bring inconceivable misery upon our nation. Future generations will curse you in your grave for your action.“

It seems unlikely that the telegram was ever shown to Hindenburg but something that was predicted more than 88 years ago is apparently becoming true.