Karl Rudolf von Rundstedt Biography and Timeline

General

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

Coup

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

Role range: 1919-1933

Martial Law

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

Role range: 1919-1933

Commander of Group I Berlin

Appointed Commander of Group I in Berlin

Crisis

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

Retirement

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

Invasion of Poland

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Warsaw

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Poland

The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw

Role range: 1939-1945

Tenth Army

The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Poland

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander of Army Group South

Appointed Commander of the Army Group South

Commander of Army Group South

Appointed Commander of the Army Group South

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Poland

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of River Meuse

Crosses the Borders of Belgium & Luxembourg towards France

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of River Meuse

Present at the German attack on Sedan

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of Dunkirk

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of Dunkirk

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Battle of Dunkirk

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Luftwaffe

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Field Marshal

Appointed General Field Marshal

Invasion of Great Britain

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Sea Lion

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Role range: 1939-1945

Mobilization

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Invasion of France

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Normandy

Commands the German army against the Allied landings in Normandy

Role range: 1939-1945

Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal after the successful invasion of France

Role range: 1939-1945

Army Group South

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Russia

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Russia

Responsible for capturing the Ukraine & the Caucasus

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

Responsible for capturing the Ukraine & the Caucasus

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Kiev

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Uman

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Kiev

Rundstedt & Guderian complete the encirclement of Kiev

Role range: 1939-1945

Dismissal

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Dismissal

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

Role range: 1939-1945