Georg von Kuechler
Georg von Kuechler was born on the day 30 house 1881 year at the Philippsruhe castle near the city of Hanau. From a young age he was prepared for future service in the army. As a young boy, he started studying at the cadet school, and already at the age of twenty, Having obtained the rank of artillery lieutenant, He joined the army.
On the fronts of the First World War, he fought in Western Europe as a battery commander at first. He received a promotion for the rank of captain for his achievements and from that time until the end of the war he served in various German units as an officer of the General Staff.
After Germany's defeat in the First World War, he joined Reichswehr, where he regularly received promotions to higher and higher levels. After Hitler came to power von Kuechler was noticed by the new leader and the pace of his military career increased significantly. A great moment in the life of von Kuechler was a year 1937, When it was promoted to the rank of artillery general, and in addition, Along with obtaining the promotion, he received command over the First Army Corps and became the head of the 1st Military District. Just before the outbreak of World War II, he received command over formed to fight Poland 3. German army.
He fought this group during the September campaign, when it is his army, included in the army group “Midnight” General von Bock, The task was to eliminate Polish resistance points in northern Mazovia and thus covering the entire operation from East Prussia. He filled Hitler's expectations in one hundred percent.
Late 1939 year General von Kuechler received command at 18. Army, which he was supposed to lead to victories during the campaign against France. In fact, He did a great job. His grouping quickly liquidated the Dutch and Belgian resistance movements, opening the rest of the German troops deep into the attacked country. After the occupation of Antwerp, he was directed south with the task of winning the French capital. His troops entered Paris 14 June. Ultimately 18. The army ended the war around Pas de Calais, Dunkyrk before. As a reward for his incredible exploits, General Georg von Kuechler was promoted to the rank of colonel.
He took part in the operation “Barbarossa”, By joining the army group and his grouping “Midnight”, under the command of Feld Marshal Wilhelm von Leeb. Shortly after the Moscow defeat, von Leeb gave command over his army group, and this position 17 January 1942 the year was von Kuechler, very much liked by Hitler. An extremely difficult task was set for the new commander – Getting Leningrad. The city is Georg von Kuechler for almost two years, Still trying to get the Soviet Reduta and being forced to repel, more and more offensive of the Red Army. In the meantime, Despite the continuous stagnation at Leningrad, Hitler appointed von Kuechler Feld Marshal. Soon the situation became critical and the possibilities of the Wehrmacht were exhausted. Field Marshal von Kuechler was forced to withdraw his troops, what happened 17 January 1944 year. Hitler, furious, He blamed his Feld Marshal for the defeat of the German troops and on the last day of January he released him from the position of commander of the army group “Midnight”
He spent the rest. He was arrested by the American army after conquering Bavaria. When he was accused of war crimes against humanity, He stood before the United States Military Court in Nuremberg and in October 1948 received a sentence of imprisonment to 20 years. However, After three years, the penalty was softened to eight years. Von Kuechler finally was released in the year 1952, having spent five years in prison. The reason for his dismissal was the disease and the age. He hid in his place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and did not perform publicly for the rest of his life. He died there 25 house 1968 year.