Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist Biography and Timeline

Birth of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist

Birth of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist

Invasion of Poland

In the invasion of Poland, Kleist commandeds the XXII Panzer Corps

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of Abbeville

Races to the coast of the English Channel at Abbeville isolating the British Expeditionary Force, Belgian Army, and the French Army

Role range: 1939-1945

British Expeditionary Force (BEF)

Races to the coast of the English Channel at Abbeville isolating the British Expeditionary Force, Belgian Army, and the French Army

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of France

Races to the coast of the English Channel at Abbeville isolating the British Expeditionary Force, Belgian Army, and the French Army

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of France

In the Battle of France commands Panzergruppe von Kleist, consisting of XLI Panzer Corps and XIX Panzer Corps (under Heinz Guderian), the two southernmost armoured corps in the drive to the English Channel

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of France

In the Battle of France commands Panzergruppe von Kleist, consisting of XLI Panzer Corps and XIX Panzer Corps (under Heinz Guderian), the two southernmost armoured corps in the drive to the English Channel

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of France

The Germans had massed the bulk of their armoured force in Panzer Group von Kleist, which attacked through the comparatively unguarded sector of the Ardennes and achieved a breakthrough at Sedan with air support. Commands 5 Panzer & 3 motorised Divisions through the Ardennes

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Greece

Kleist commands 1st Panzergruppe, comprising XVIII and XL Panzer Corps, which spearheads the Blitzkrieg-style invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Yugoslavia

Kleist commands 1st Panzergruppe, comprising XVIII and XL Panzer Corps, which spearheads the Blitzkrieg-style invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Russia

First day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the 5 divisions of the 1st Panzer Group

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

First day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the 5 divisions of the 1st Panzer Group

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Russia

Kleist commands 1st Panzergruppe, comprising XVIII and XL Panzer Corps, which spearheads the Blitzkrieg-style invasion of Russia

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Russia

Kleists leading divisions begin to reach Rostov-on-Don

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

Kleists leading divisions begin to reach Rostov-on-Don

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Russia

Kleists Panzers seize a bridge over the Don, the last barrier before the Caucasus. Crooses the Don but is forced back by Timoshenko

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

Kleists Panzers seize a bridge over the Don, the last barrier before the Caucasus. Crooses the Don but is forced back by Timoshenko

Role range: 1939-1945

Capture of Rostov

Leads the German capture of Rostov

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of Rostov

Relaunches the attack on Rostov

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Kharkov

Strikes at the Barvenkovo salient, as ordered by Hitler

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Kharkov

The "Barvenkovo mousetrap" is sprung by Kleist & Paulus, 240,000 Russians are taken

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1942-1943

Siege of Kharkov

Timoshenko calls off his offensive after Kleists advance into the Barvenko salient

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Maikop

Reaches Maikop, Grozny, Batumi & Baku all appear to be within grasp

Role range: 1939-1945

Army Group A

Placed in command of Army Group A

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Caucasus

Kleist is sent to command troops in the Caucasus in order to capture important oil wells in the area

Role range: 1939-1945

Capture of River Dneiper

Soviet forces trap 650,000 German troops in the Crimea

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

Soviet forces surround the mouth of the Dneiper

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

Soviet forces surrond 650,000 German troops in the Crimea

Role range: 1939-1945

Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Role range: 1939-1945

Dismissal

Relieved of his command in March 1944 for ordering the Eighth Army to retreat when it was in danger of destruction by the Soviet Red Army, in explicit violation of Adolf Hitler's orders

Role range: 1939-1945

Red Army

Relieved of his command in March 1944 for ordering the Eighth Army to retreat when it was in danger of destruction by the Soviet Red Army, in explicit violation of Adolf Hitler's orders

Role range: 1939-1945

Arrest of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist

Kleist is captured by United States forces, he ie was sent to communist Yugoslavia to face alleged war crimes charges in 1946

Role range: 1939-1945

Trial

Sent to communist Yugoslavia to face alleged war crimes charges

Role range: 1939-1945

Trial

Extradited to the Soviet Union where he is condemned to a 10-years sentence in 1952 for war crimes

Role range: 1939-1945

Trial

Condemned in Russia to a 10-years sentence in 1952 for war crimes

Role range: 1939-1945

Death of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist

Death of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist, in captivity in Vladimir Prison, the highest ranked German officer to die in Soviet captivity