General Staff Chief von Falkenhayn dismissed

© Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin Chief of General Staff Erich von Falkenhayn, photograph, edited by Reichsverband zur Unterstützung deutscher Veteranen e.V.

On 29 August 1916, chief of the German General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, is relieved of his duties. He is saddled with responsibility for the failure of the German attack on Verdun (February to July 1916). General Paul von Hindenburg assumes leadership of the Supreme Military Command (OHL). General Erich Ludendorff, who was already Hindenburg’s chief of staff at the battle of Tannenberg (August 1914), will serve at his side.