WW2 - Field Marshal Gerd Von Rundsted

Rundsted, Gerd von
Field Marshal

The Summer of 1940 was to mark the summit of Gerd von Rundstedt ' s career.

One of the Wehrmacht's most respected and senior Generals, von Rundstedt had been called from retirement to command German Army Group A in Poland, and later in France.

Commanding the principal Army group, comprising the bulk of the German armies, and including the elite Panzer and SS units, Rundstedt had been responsible for the principal operations that had secured stunning victories in these early campaigns.

Though benefitting from exceptional subordinates,such as Manstein and Guderian, Rundstedt's flawless execution of the offensives established him as a commander of the first rank, and assured him of his Field Marshal's baton.

Following his victorious entry to Paris in June 1940, Rundstedt was to remain in France for most of the remaining years of war, preparing, with Rommel, the Atlantic defences, and directing the German Armies in the West, during the battle of France in 1944.

Rundstedt was dismissed from his command by Hitler not once but twice, firstly for a tactical retreat while serving briefly on the Eastern Front, and again in 1944, for expressing his belief that Germany could no longer win the war.

Reinstated on both occasions Rundstedt's last command was the ambitious, but ill-fated, second Ardennes offensive, better known as the Battle of the Bulge.

He retired in March 1945, and was one of the very few German Field Marshals not charged with war crimes.

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[CE750]

A brilliant Prussian officer of the first order. They don't make generals like this anymore.

[DrCanyonero]

The Classic Prussian General i would say :)

[sheemsheem]

Guy had like 3 heart attacks and refused to stop commanding...crazy!

[Rubeosky]

A real German soldier that hated the Austrian corporal.

[the82spartans]

well it's a good thing the one nutted corprol was calling the shots...

[Yaposhkin]

lol

[marcobagut]

Erm...Rundsted was not a nazi...

[Yaposhkin]

burn in hell nazi

[melshorse]

Rundstedt's role in the terrible "Court of Honor", near the end of the war, destroyed much of his reputation. Due to his failing health(heart trouble) and assistance to the allies, he was not charged as a war criminal. We now know he should have been charged.

[CastAway421]

One thing you can say,they has honor..

[sobelou]

I don't necessarily disagree with that, although Rundstedt had far more experience in high command. But you can't pin any obvious mistakes on Guderian, after he returned to service in '43 he opposed Zitadelle (which was the true decisive battle in the east) and continued to be a voice for common sense as Chief of Staff.  Besides, Rundsted to some extent disrespected himself by agreeing to preside over the Court that expelled his July 20 comrades from the Wehrmacht