General Ludwig von Falkenhausen lead the German Sixth Army in the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Hindenburg Line in World War 1 against Lord Julian Byng and General Sir Arthur Currie. The German side lost the Battle and appoximately 20,000 soldiers killed. 4,000 Germans were also taken as prisoners of war.

He also served as governor-general of Belgium during the German occupation, from 1917 until 1918.