Fedor from Bock
Fedor from Bock, German Feld Marshal, He was born 3 December 1880 year in Kostrzyn. He helped him get a military career, that he was the son of a well -known general, Moritza von Bocka. He began his adventure with the army early – having only 19 years, already as a graduate of cadet schools, He made the rank of second lieutenant. Together with the promotion, he received command over 5. Pedestrian Guard Regiment. W 1912 of the year he became a captain in the General Staff.
Despite the incredible strategic abilities of von Bock, At the beginning of World War I, he was left in the staff of the Guard Corps, without giving him any opportunity to demonstrate his skills on the front. Soon he was promoted to the rank of major. W 1916 The year von Bock finally received the desired position of the commander of the linear unit, including command over the battalion 4. Prussian Pedestrian Guard Regiment. Later he served as the first officer of the General Staff in 200. Infantry Division. In the final phase of the war he was an operational officer in the army group staff “German crown prince”.
Fedor von Bock showed great heroism during the fighting, Boldly beating at Somma, or under Cambrai. For his attitude he was decorated with the Order Pour Le Merite.
After Germany's defeat in World War I, Bock did not leave the army, but he continued to continue his career. W 1924 He took command of the battalion, Two years later over the regiment, w 1929 year commanded the division, and in 1931 year, Already as a colonel, He became the commander of the Military District in Szczecin. Four years later he began to command 3. A group of army in Dresden. W 1938 He was appointed to the rank of general colonel. In the same year, proved 8. Army, he protected the armed annexation of Austria and the connection of the Sudetes to the Reich.
W 1939 year, 3. The army group was renamed GA “Midnight”, increasing its number to 630 thousands of soldiers. At the head of this new branch of von Bock took part in the September campaign, having under his command 8., 10. i 12. German armies. After winning the war with Poland, he was moved to the west, Where in May 1940 He set off to the Netherlands and Belgium as part of the Fall Gelb operation. After the seizure of these countries, Von Bock troops were moved to the south, where, achieving brilliant victories, They stuck deep into France, reaching the border with Spain. For your achievements in the campaign 1940 year, von Bock was promoted to the rank of Feld Marshal.
The most important in the career of Fedor von Bock was his participation in the operation “Barbarossa”, started in June 1941 year. Then, commanding a group of army “Middle”, Already two months after crossing the demarcation of the German-Soviet line, he stood 200km west of Moscow, Referring a number of great victories on their way, such as winning Minsk, or the battles of Smolensk, Homlem and Rosław.
However, Von Bock was waiting for the first and- how severe – failure. His troops were pushed west of the Soviet capital, when they arrived at a distance 27 kilometers from the city. Despite, that on the way to Moscow von Bock won a spectacular victory in a double battle under Wiaźma and Briańsk, (recognized as the most perfect circling battle in the history of the world – Bock managed to destroy 81 Soviet divisions), Hitler, Being furious with the Moscow defeat, he dismissed him from the position of the commander of Ga “Middle”.
Fedor von Bock as a commander of the army group returned to the front in January 1942 year, taking command of GA “South”. Staying in this position for half a year, managed to stop the great Soviet counteroffensive, Referring a great win at Kharkov, where losing barely 20000 soldiers, He took it captivity 240000 prisoners and he won 1200 tanks and 2000 department.
The last task entrusted to Bock in World War II was to conduct an offensive towards Stalingrad and the Caucasus. The operation failed, For which disappointed Hitler once again deprived von Bock as commander of the army group. Having lost his position, Fedor von Bock withdrew from military and political life.
Died 4 house 1945 year as a result of the wounds suffered the day before, When this Allied aircraft fired his car, which he went with his family towards Hamburg. Had 64 lata.