Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist Biography

Birth of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Relaunches the attack on Rostov

Kleists leading divisions begin to reach Rostov-on-Don

Kleists leading divisions begin to reach Rostov-on-Don

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

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

Leads the German capture of Rostov

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

Strikes at the Barvenkovo salient, as ordered by Hitler

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

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

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

Placed in command of Army Group A

Appointed Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Soviet forces trap 650,000 German troops in the Crimea

Soviet forces surround the mouth of the Dneiper

Soviet forces surrond 650,000 German troops in the Crimea

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

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

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

Sent to communist Yugoslavia to face alleged war crimes charges

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

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

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