Hindenburgs 70. Geburtstag im Großen Hauptquartier (1917)

Report on the celebrations for the 70th birthday of Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg on October 2, 1917, in Bad Kreuznach.

Kaiser Wilhelm II, accompanied by his entourage, arrives at Villa Imhoff. Hindenburg bids him farewell at the entrance (the sign with the name "Villa Imhoff" has been blacked out for reasons of secrecy).

Children from Bad Kreuznach line the streets, forming a corridor, and wave to Hindenburg. Schoolgirls congratulate him, including Adjutant Captain von Pentz.

General Ludendorff, along with the General Staff officers, stands in front of the villa. Ludendorff congratulates Hindenburg, and the assembled General Staff officers exchange greetings.

Hindenburg and Ludendorff are seen on the terrace, after which they proceed to the park.

In the park, various officials, including the district administrator and agency leaders, offer their congratulations. The district administrator introduces individual civilians to Hindenburg. Hindenburg inspects assembled war veterans from 1866 and 1870, wounded soldiers, gymnastic clubs, and the volunteer fire brigade.

Reich Chancellor Georg Michaelis leaves Villa Imhoff and gets into his car.

Hindenburg is shown with his family, including his wife Gertrud and daughters Frau von Brockhusen and Frau von Pentz, as well as his son-in-law Captain von Pentz, during a walk and coffee time.

At the reception in Kaiser Wilhelm II's quarters, officers enter the terrace, including Reich Chancellor Michaelis and Hindenburg, with coffee cups in hand. Various groups of officers engage in conversations, including Wilhelm II, Michaelis, and Ludendorff, with Kurt Freiherr von Lersner.

Hindenburg is seen with the commanders of the regiments under his command on the grand staircase: Lieutenant Colonel von Schönstadt, Commander of the 3rd Guard Regiment F., Captain von Karpf, Commander of the S.M.S. "Hindenburg," and Lieutenant Colonel Behrboom, Commander of the Infantry Regiment 147 (2nd Masurian).

Hindenburg and Wilhelm II are seen in conversation. Wilhelm II escorts Hindenburg to his car and bids farewell. Hindenburg and Ludendorff get into the car and drive away.

Source: Bundesarchiv