Walter Model

German field marshal (1891-1945) · Germany · Historical Figures · Died at 54

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A Wehrmacht field marshal who made his name stopping Soviet offensives when the Eastern Front was collapsing, then commanded the final doomed counter-attack in the Ardennes and shot himself in the Ruhr encirclement three weeks before Germany surrendered.

Historical Figures Other Germany Europe 20th Century

A life in dates

1945Died21 April 1945“I sincerely believe that I have served a criminal. I led my soldiers in good conscience... but for a criminal government.”In their words20 April 1945To Colonel Theodor Pilling, Lieutenant Colonel Roger Michael, Major Winrich Behr in the evening of April 20, 1945. They tuned in theRead the whole statement

“Has everything been done to justify our actions in the light of history? What can there be left for a commander in defeat? In antiquity they took poison.”In their words17 April 1945To his chief of staff General Carl Wagener on 17 April 1945, before dissolving Army Group B. Quoted in "Battle for the Ruhr" - Page 373 -Read the whole statement

1944“My Soldiers are My Children. (Meine Soldaten sind Meine Kinder)”In their words23 December 1944To SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich Springer, his aide. In the early morning hours of December 23, 1944. Quoted in "Stationen eines Lebens inRead the whole statement

“We have lost a battle, but I assure to you that we will not lose the war! I cannot say more at the present moment although I know the losses are crowded in your minds.”In their wordsSeptember 3 1944, . Quoted in "Rückzug: The German Retreat from France, 1944" - Page 191 - by Joachim Ludewig - 2012Read the whole statement

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and DiamondsAward1942“Every minute that we lose will cost us great losses later that we will not be able to afford. We must push forward now, otherwise we risk everything.”In their words3 July 1942To Major Kratzenberg on 3 July 1942, The Battle of Smolensk. Quoted in "Generalfeldmarschall Model Biographie" - Page 93 - by WalterRead the whole statement

“Mein Führer, who commands The Ninth Army, you or I?”In their words20 January 1942To Adolf Hitler on 20 January 1942, Wolfsschanze. Quoted in "Generalfeldmarschall Model Biographie" - Page 115 - by Walter Göriltz - 2012Read the whole statement

Eastern MedalAwardWound Badge (1939) in GoldAward1941Panzer Badge in Silver 1st Grade (without number)Award1939Spanish CrossAward1934Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918Award1918Wound Badge (1918) in BlackAward1917Gallipoli StarAwardHouse Order of HohenzollernAwardMilitary Merit Cross (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)AwardMilitary Merit Cross III. ClassAward1915Iron Cross 1st ClassAwardMilitary Merit Order (Bavaria)Award1914Iron Cross 2nd ClassAward1891Born24 January 1891

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Walter Model October 1944

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2005-1017-519, Russland, Generaloberst Model vor Sluzk

Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1971-033-49, Lagebesprechung, Arnheim

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J27784, Arnheim, Walter Model, Heinz Harmel

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J28036, Deutschland, Model bei Hitlerjugend

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1992-0617-506, Walter Model im Kübelwagen

Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1978-024-31, Model, v. Rundstedt und Krebs

Commander of the German 9th Army Colonel General Otto Moritz Walter Model (1891-1945) with his Fieseler 156 Storch transport in the Summer 1943. (48535507601)

In their own words 8

Walter Model

8 statements, newest first

I sincerely believe that I have served a criminal. I led my soldiers in good conscience... but for a criminal government.
Apr 20, 1945, To Colonel Theodor Pilling, Lieutenant Colonel Roger Michael, Major Winrich Behr in the evening of April 20, 1945. They tuned in the, Own words
Has everything been done to justify our actions in the light of history? What can there be left for a commander in defeat? In antiquity they took poison.
Apr 17, 1945, To his chief of staff General Carl Wagener on 17 April 1945, before dissolving Army Group B. Quoted in "Battle for the Ruhr" - Page 373 -, Own words
My Soldiers are My Children. (Meine Soldaten sind Meine Kinder)
Dec 23, 1944, To SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich Springer, his aide. In the early morning hours of December 23, 1944. Quoted in "Stationen eines Lebens in, Own words

Wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0

Awards

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds1944

Wound Badge (1939) in Gold1942

Eastern Medal1942

Panzer Badge in Silver 1st Grade (without number)1941

Spanish Cross1939

Honour Cross of the World War 1914/19181934

Wound Badge (1918) in Black1918

Military Merit Cross III. Class1917

House Order of Hohenzollern1917

Military Merit Cross (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)1917

Gallipoli Star1917

Iron Cross 1st Class1915

Military Merit Order (Bavaria)1915

Iron Cross 2nd Class1914

Clasp to the Iron Cross

Military Merit Cross

Family

Walter Model

Child Hansgeorg Model

Sibling Otto Model

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About this person

Model rose as a panzer commander early in the war, but the battles of 1941-42 on the Eastern Front reshaped him into a defender. His Ninth Army performance caught Hitler's eye. What followed was a pattern: whenever a sector looked lost - Army Group North, Army Group North Ukraine, Army Group Centre - Hitler sent Model to hold it, and often he did. By August 1944 he was in the West, running OB West and Army Group B. The Bulge offensive failed, the trust with Hitler cracked, and when Army Group B was surrounded in the Ruhr Pocket he ended it himself on 21 April 1945.

Country

Germany

In common with Walter

Günther von KlugeBoth received Military Merit Cross (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)

Alexander of BattenbergBoth received Military Merit Cross (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)

Historical Figures from Germany 4

Erich Hartmann58.3

Wilhelm List58.0

Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher58.4

Wilhelm Canaris58.0

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