06/22/09

Gerd von Rundstedt

12 December 1875- 24 February 1953

Rundstedt was a German Field Marshal in World War II. He would see commanding in invasion Poland, invasion of France, operation Barbarossa, d-day, market garden, and battle of the bulge.

Invasion of Poland,

In the invasion he led army group south.

Invasion of France,

Rundstedt was in command of 7 panzer divisions, three motorized division, and 35 infantry division.

Operation Barbarossa,

Rundstedt was in command of army south in the invasion, this consist of 52 infantry divisions, and 5 panzer divisions.  Hitler removed Rundstedt of his command because Rundstedt wanted a with draw after a counter attack by the Russians.

Western front

Rundstedt became the commander of the forces in the west in march 1942. Not till Rommel became subordinate of Rundstedt that there was some defenses on the shores.

After D-Day Rundstedt was removed from command after urging Hitler for peace.

He was comes back in command of the western forces after the suicide of field marshal Kluge. Rundstedt then got his troops ready just in time and won operation market garden. He then was order to counter attack against the allies. This became known as the battle of the bulge. Rundstedt lost with odds against him. Rundstedt was relived of command in March 1945. After taking openly that Hitler should sew for peace and end the war. That ended his military server for the war.

He died in February 24^th 1953