Karl Rudolf von Rundstedt Biography

Appointed General after service in France & Turkey during World War One

Appointed Commander of Group I in Berlin

Declares martial law ending the resistance of the left & overthrowing democracy

Declares martial law ending the resistance of the left & overthrowing democracy

Retired after Hitler's purge of the high command after the Blomberg-Fritsch crisis

Retired after Hitler's purge of the high command after the Blomberg-Fritsch crisis

Appointed Commander of the Army Group South

Appointed Commander of the Army Group South

Helps plan the Invasion of Poland. Brought out of retirement for the invasion of Poland

Has the task of destroying Polish forces on the border before approaching Warsaw

Has the task of destroying Polish forces on the border before approaching Warsaw

The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw

The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw

The Bzura "pocket" is contained by the German Army Group South

Appointed Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal after the successful invasion of France

Leads the invasion of France wwith 44 Divisions from Aix-la-Chapelle to the Moselle

Commands the German army against the Allied landings in Normandy

Crosses the Borders of Belgium & Luxembourg towards France

Present at the German attack on Sedan

Drafts a "halt order" after concerns about the Allied counter-attack at Arras

Explains to Hitler his concerns about the Allied counter-attack at Arras. A "Fuhrer order" is issued from Rundstedts HQ forbidding the left to cross the Aa

Halts his forces behind Dunkirk to allow the Luftwaffe the finishing blow

Halts his forces behind Dunkirk to allow the Luftwaffe the finishing blow

Appointed General Field Marshal

Given command of operations to invade England, subject to victory in the air

Given command of operations to invade England, subject to victory in the air

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Commands Army Group A & has tactical Command over Army Group D

Appointed Inspector of the Land Fortresses in the West

Appointed Inspector of the Land Fortresses in the West

Appointed Commander of the Army Group South

Appointed Commander of the Army Group South

Ordered to clear the Black Sea coast, take Rostov, the Maikop oil fields & Stalingrad

Ordered to clear the Black Sea coast, take Rostov, the Maikop oil fields & Stalingrad

Ordered to clear the Black Sea coast, take Rostov, the Maikop oil fields & Stalingrad

1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group South consisting of 52 Divs

1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group South consisting of 52 Divs

Responsible for capturing the Ukraine & the Caucasus

1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group South consisting of 52 Divs

Responsible for capturing the Ukraine & the Caucasus

After the Uman pocket is closed advances to the south of Kiev & joins up with Guderian

100,000 Russian prisoners are taken when the Uman pocket is closed

Rundstedt & Guderian complete the encirclement of Kiev

Asks to be relieved of his command if there is no longer confidence in his leadership

Relieved of his command by Hitler due to his disagreement over strategy

Commands the forces defending the Atlantic Wall, Hitler controls the troop movements

Appointed Commander in Chief for the West, replaces Witzleben

Appointed Commander in Chief for the West, replaces Witzleben

In late 1943, the obvious Allied buildup in Britain prompted the German Commander in Chief in the west, Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, to request reinforcements. In addition to fresh units, von Rundstedt also received a new subordinate, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

Prepares a report saying the German Army is not prepared to face an Allied attack

Visits Hitler to ask for stronger defences for the Atlantic Wall which are ignored

Reports the Rhone Valley, Toulon & Marsaille are tempting areas for Allied invasion

Completes a report highlighting the deficiences of the Atlantic Wall

The last important counter-attack of the war against the Allies. Fails to halt the Allied advance into Germany

Cables OKW saying the Allies cannot attack without 4 days good weather

Keeps most of his forces at Calais

Diverts the 12th SS & Panzer Lehr to meet the invasion. Believes, like Hitler, the landings are a feint for Allied landings at Pas de Calais

Dismissed after asking the OKW for a free hand in Normandy, a challenge to Hitler

Dismissed by Hitler for suggesting the High Command make peace

The Germans advance 50 miles, the Bulge. 16 Dec-28 Jan, a final offensive in the Ardennes 3 German armies attack 4 US divisions