Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb

German field marshal and war criminal (1876–1956)

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Lived 1876–1956, aged 80Germany

Germany Historical Figures

Fame18.9
Momentum1.3
Germany rank#197
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Wikipedia
50 languages
Cross-language footprint
Rank in Germany
#197
Historical Figures
Era
1876–1956
Aged 80

Summary

Updated 2026-05-29

Nazi general who cracked the Maginot Line during France's fall, then faced war crimes conviction after the war. Leeb rose from WWI decorated officer to Wehrmacht field marshal—a trajectory that ended in the dock at Nuremberg.

Biography

About

Wilhelm Josef Franz Ritter von Leeb was a German Generalfeldmarschall of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War, who was subsequently convicted of war crimes. Leeb was a highly decorated officer in World War I and was awarded the Military Order of Max Joseph which granted him the title of nobility. During the Battle of France, he commanded Army Group C, responsible for the breakthrough of the Maginot Line.

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