Friedrich Paulus was a German field marshal during World War II, best known for his role as commander of the Sixth Army during the disastrous Battle of Stalingrad in 1942-1943. Despite his initial success, he was forced to surrender to Soviet forces in February 1943, marking a turning point in the war and a severe blow to Nazi Germany. After his capture, Paulus became a Soviet prisoner of war and later defected to the East, eventually living in East Germany after his release.