26th August 1914: Battle of Tannenberg begins in the early weeks of the First World War between Russian and German forces

Exploiting intercepted Russian radio messages, which had not been encrypted, the Germans were able to anticipate the Russians’ movements and concentrate their forces effectively. By 30 August,  Russian resistance collapsed.

29th September 1918: German Supreme Army Command urges Wilhelm II negotiate an armistice after the Allies break through the Hindenburg Line

The Allies’ continuous advances, coupled with internal unrest and food shortages, left Germany with limited options and the Supreme Army Command demanded that the government seek a ceasefire immediately.

2nd August 1934: Hitler declares himself Führer of Germany after Reichspräsident Hindenburg dies of lung cancer

The move by Hitler effectively merged the offices of both the President and Chancellor into one role, and therefore completed what the Nazis referred to as Gleichschaltung (or ‘Co-ordination’) by establishing Hitler as both Germany’s head of state and head of government.

2nd August 1934: Hitler becomes Führer after President Hindenburg dies

On the 2nd August 1934, the 86 year old German Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg died of lung cancer and Adolf Hitler became both the Führer and Reich Chancellor of the German People.