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Walter ModelField Marshal (1944) of the German Army.
Date of Birth: 24.01.1891
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Biography of Walter Model
- Early Military Career
- Commander of Army Groups
- Commander in the Western Front
- Defeat and Death
Biography of Walter Model
Walter Model (1891-1945) was a German general-field marshal (1944) in the German army. He was born on January 24, 1891 in Genthin. Model joined the army in 1909 and served as a participant in World War I. He was one of the early supporters of Hitler and remained loyal to the Nazi regime throughout his career.
Early Military Career
From November 1940, Model commanded the 3rd Panzer Division, which took part in Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. In October 1941, he became the commander of the 41st Panzer Corps. From January 1942 to November 1943, with intermittent breaks, Model served as the commander of the 9th Army on the Eastern Front.
Commander of Army Groups
In February-March 1944, Model commanded Army Group North, and in April-June 1944, he commanded Army Group North Ukraine. From June to August 1944, he led Army Group Center. Model was known for his tactic of "scorched earth" and was considered a "master of retreat." He exhibited extreme brutality in his actions.
Commander in the Western Front
In August 1944, Model replaced Field Marshal Gunther von Kluge as the commander of the Western Front. Von Kluge had failed to carry out Hitler's order to "stand to the death" and had retreated to the area around Falaise in northern France. From September 1944, Model commanded Army Group B in France.
Defeat and Death
In April 1945, Model's forces were defeated during the Ruhr Pocket operation, and on April 18, he surrendered (along with over 325,000 soldiers and 30 generals). Model then took his own life in a forest near Duisburg on April 21.
