Falkenhayn, Erich von

Falkenhayn, Erich von āˈrĭkh fən fälˈkənhīn [key], 1861–1922, German military officer. Minister of war from 1906 to 1915, he succeeded (1914) Moltke as chief of the German general staff. He was successful on the Eastern front during World War I, but after the disaster at Verdun (1916) he was replaced (Aug., 1916) by Hindenburg. Falkenhayn later commanded (1916) the invasion of Romania, and in 1917 led German reinforcements in Palestine.

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