The Hindenburg Programme of August 1916 is the name given to the armaments and economic policy begun in late 1916 by the Third Oberste Heeresleitung, Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg and General Erich Ludendorff. The two were appointed after the sacking of General Erich von Falkenhayn on 28 August 1916 and intended to double German industrial production, to greatly increase the output of munitions and weapons.
Paul von Hindenburg (l.) and Erich Ludendorff, September 1916
The Oberste Heeresleitung was the highest echelon of command of the army (Heer) of the German Empire. In the latter part of World War I, the Third OHL assumed dictatorial powers and became the de facto political authority in the Empire.
Hindenburg, Wilhelm II, Ludendorff, January 1917
Image: Vonmoltke
Image: Erich von Falkenhayn retouched
Image: Paul von Hindenburg (1914) von Nicola Perscheid (cropped)