Friedrich Paulus was a German general during World War II, best known for his role in the Battle of Stalingrad. Born on January 23, 1890, he rose through the ranks of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany, and became a key commander in the Eastern Front. Paulus was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in 1942, shortly before the surrender of his troops at Stalingrad in February 1943. This defeat marked a significant turning point in the war, leading to a shift in momentum against the Axis Powers. After the war, Paulus became a Soviet prisoner and later settled in East Germany.