Pohl was born on 25 August 1855 and died on 23 February 1916. Liver cancer was detected in January 1916, and Reinhard Scheer replaced him as High Seas Fleet commander that same month. The rapid sequence matters because Pohl did not live to see the later consequences of the unrestricted-submarine policy associated with his name. This passage establishes the human end of his career and the exact command transition to Scheer.
Notable Point · 4:59-5:48
Pohl's life and abrupt command transition
Born in 1855, Pohl served in the navy for decades before liver cancer prompted his replacement by Reinhard Scheer in January 1916 and killed him the following month.