One of the most aggressive commanders in the German Imperial Army, Hermann von Francois clashed with nearly every immediate superior he had. Twice decorated with the Pour le Merite, he would be forced out by his rival Ludendorff shortly before the end of the Great War.

Chief of the German General Staff following the mental collapse of General von Moltke when the Schlieffen Plan failed, Erich von Falkenhayn is chiefly remembered for the disastrous bloodbath at Verdun that led to his removal and replacement with Paul von Hindenburg.