2. Alexander Samsonov
Alexander Samsonov was a Russian general in World War I and appointed to lead the 2nd Army during the invasion of East Prussia. Advancing into the German-held territory, he failed to establish effective communication with General Rennenkampf’s 1st Army. Samsonov’s troops fought the main German forces commanded by Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg without receiving the expected support. Samsonov was surrounded in the Battle of Tannenberg and only 10,000 out of 200,000 men under his command escaped. Samsonov committed suicide in a field headquarter, apparently unable to bear such a tragic defeat.
