XX Questions - Game CXXIX

[JECE]

Erich Ludendorff?

No

[BrianBaru]

Ebert was a member of the SPD, one of the earliest Marxist-influenced parties in the world. If that is not left wing, I don’t know what is.

[JECE]

Ebert was a member of the SPD, one of the earliest Marxist-influenced parties in the world. If that is not left wing, I don’t know what is.

Generally considered to be left wing?

No

Frederick Ebert?

No

Remember, folks, that you're for somebody who is not generally considered to be left wing.

[cdngooner]

To sacrifice my own research to help others, I've considered and eliminated most of the German High Command during WW1:

Moltke the Younger - died 1916 so no politics "after the war".

Erich von Falkenhayn - retired to a quiet life with no politics after the war.

Wilhelm Groener - born in Wurttemburg on our side of the line.

Hans von Seeckt - born in Schleswig, on our side of the line.

Hindenburg and Ludendorff tick all the boxes but have already been eliminated.

[cdngooner]

So I'll go Navy, and nominate Franz von Hipper.

[cdngooner]

Dammit. Withdraw that. Born in Bavaria. Gotta slow down.

[Hominidae]

To sacrifice my own research to help others, I've considered and eliminated most of the German High Command during WW1:

Moltke the Younger - died 1916 so no politics "after the war".

Erich von Falkenhayn - retired to a quiet life with no politics after the war.

Wilhelm Groener - born in Wurttemburg on our side of the line.

Hans von Seeckt - born in Schleswig, on our side of the line.

Hindenburg and Ludendorff tick all the boxes but have already been eliminated.

No, we're looking for someone who was not born in the east, but whose family came from the east.

[Jamiet99uk]

So we're after a Boche who somehow managed to survive the first show but played no meaningful role (possibly due to being dead) in the repeat performance.

I looked in my book of great Germans of the past and present, but the Red Baron has already been guessed and there aren't any other entries

So a famous old soldier from the east, like von Mackensen, or some politician or negotiator (best bet would be one of those in the armistice talks) like von Winterfeldt (although he was more soldier than politician).

I'd be inclined to clear up whether or not he was a politician... or alternatively ask whether he sported a ludicrous moustache (which seems to be around half of them )

I agree.

QUESTION: Was he primarily involved in politics (rather than primarily known as a combatant?)

Should I assume that there is a typo here such that the question mark is supposed to go outside the parenthetical remark?

Yes.

[Jamiet99uk]

My official guess is Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

[JECE]

My official guess is Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

Nice job salvaging the game, Jamiet99uk. Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck it is. Congrats on salvaging the situation!

[Jamiet99uk]

My official guess is Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

Nice job salvaging the game, Jamiet99uk. Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck it is. Congrats on salvaging the situation!

Thanks! And a challenging but interesting choice on your part.

I spent ages looking at WW1 German officers who either died before, or were too old to have a role, in WW2. Eventually Lettow-Vorbeck stood out because he was still around when WW2 took place, and was offered a senior diplomatic role, but he refused to serve Hitler. In the inter war years he was involved in politics, and his family was originally from what became East Germany. So there we have it.

[damo666]

My official guess is Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

Who?

[JECE]

My official guess is Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

Who?

He held out with an army in East Africa for the entire duration of the First World War, an extremely impressive (and brutal) feat given the overwhelming forces stacked against him.

[Jamiet99uk]

My official guess is Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

Who?

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the Lion of Africa!

The only German general to successfully invade the British Empire during WWI.

[damo666]

My official guess is Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

Who?

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the Lion of Africa!

The only German general to successfully invade the British Empire during WWI.

Lion of Africa I knew of but didn't know the name