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Gerd von Rundstedt

German Field Marshal during World War II (1875-1953) · Germany · Historical Figures · Died at 77

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The Wehrmacht's most senior officer by war's end - a Prussian field marshal who commanded three major fronts, authorized retreats Hitler despised, and chaired the tribunal that expelled July plotters from the army so the regime could kill them.

Historical FiguresOtherGermanyEurope19th Century

A life in dates

1953Died24 February 19531947“Nothing would have been changed for the German people, but my name would have gone down in history as that of the greatest traitor.”In their wordsQuoted in "Trial of the Major War Criminals Before the International Military Tribunal - Page 87 - Nuremberg, Germany - 1947

1942“The vastness of Russia devours us.”In their wordsIn the summer of 1942. Quoted in "Inside Hitler's Germany: Life Under the Third Reich" - Page 127 - by Matthew Hughes, Chris Mann - History

“Just as the defending force has gathered valuable experience from...Dieppe, so has the assaulting force...He will not do it like this a second time.”In their wordsAugust 1942August 1942. Quoted in "Dieppe 1942: The Jubilee Disaster" - Page 263 - by Ronald Atkin - History - 1980

1941“It is madness to attempt to hold. In the first place the troops cannot do it and in the second place if they do not retreat they will be destroyed.”In their wordsNovember 30, 1941. Rundstedt sent this wire message that resulted in him being dismissed from office. Quoted in "The Rise and Fall of the

1917“We should have known better after the first war. The French came close to collapse in 1917; der Englander, even after our 1918 offensive, never.”In their wordsQuoted in "Crossroads of Modern Warfare" - by Drew Middleton - History - 1983

1875Born12 December 1875

Also in Deutsch

Photos 5

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-L08129, Gerd v. RundstedtBundesarchiv Bild 183-L08129, Gerd v. RundstedtGeneralfeldmarschall Gerd von RunstedtGeneralfeldmarschall Gerd von RunstedtGrab Gerd von RundstedtGrab Gerd von RundstedtINF3-73 Field Marshal von RundstedtINF3-73 Field Marshal von RundstedtVonRundstedt-Shoulderboards-alt-LarischVonRundstedt-Shoulderboards-alt-Larisch

In their own words 10

,
Gerd von Rundstedt
,
10 statements, newest first

  1. Nothing would have been changed for the German people, but my name would have gone down in history as that of the greatest traitor.

    1947, Quoted in "Trial of the Major War Criminals Before the International Military Tribunal - Page 87 - Nuremberg, Germany - 1947, Own words

  2. The vastness of Russia devours us.

    1942, In the summer of 1942. Quoted in "Inside Hitler's Germany: Life Under the Third Reich" - Page 127 - by Matthew Hughes, Chris Mann - History, Own words

  3. Just as the defending force has gathered valuable experience from...Dieppe, so has the assaulting force...He will not do it like this a second time.

    Aug 1942, August 1942. Quoted in "Dieppe 1942: The Jubilee Disaster" - Page 263 - by Ronald Atkin - History - 1980, Own words

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Awards

Albert Order
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Order of Michael the Brave, 1st class
Knight grand cross of the order of the crown of Italy
Order of the Crown
Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918
Order of the White Falcon
Sudetenland Medal
Order of the Saxe-Ernestine
Military Merit Order (Bavaria)
House Order of Hohenzollern
Wehrmacht Long Service Award
Clasp to the Iron Cross
Military Merit Cross
Gallipoli Star

In their orbit

Child: Hans Gerd von Rundstedt

About this person

Born into a Prussian military family in 1875, Rundstedt entered the army in 1892 and spent World War I as a staff officer. He rose to Colonel General before retiring in 1938, then was recalled a year later to command Army Group South in the Polish invasion. During the Battle of France he led Army Group A and requested the Halt Order at Dunkirk; in 1940 he was promoted to Field Marshal. Commanding Army Group South in the Soviet invasion, he oversaw the encirclement at Kiev - the largest in history - but was relieved in December 1941 after ordering withdrawal from Rostov. Recalled in 1942 as Commander-in-Chief in the West, he was dismissed after the Normandy defeat in July 1944, reinstated that September, then removed for the last time by Hitler in March 1945. He knew of the plots against Hitler but neither joined nor reported them, and chaired the Ehrenhof that discharged the July conspirators so they could face show trial and execution. Charged with war crimes after the surrender, he was never tried due to age and illness, released in 1949, and died four years later at 77.

Country
Germany
Category
Historical Figures
Type
Historical Figure
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1875 to 1953 · aged 77

Historical Figures from Germany 6

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