Walther von Brauchitsch
Walther von Brauchitsch was born 4 October 1881 in Berlin in the Junker family. His father was a distinguished Prussian cavalry general and he decided about his son's military career, which began in the year 1900. Then the young Walther became a second lieutenant in the elite Grenadier Regiment of the Prussian Guard, from where after a year he was moved to 3. field artillery regiment. Over the next few years he climbed the ladder of his career, Finally promoting in 1909 year to the rank of lieutenant. Along with the promotion, he began studying at the War Academy, where he received the education of a general staff officer. Soon after, he was transferred to the main staff in Berlin. For that, after a year, He made the rank of captain. Walter von Brauchitsch has just spent the entire first world war on the staff. After defeat 1918 year he was in Reichswehra, where the pace of his career has accelerated significantly. W 1925 year he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, w 1928 Colonel's Year (which was connected with taking up higher and higher positions) And finally 1931 a general rank was waiting for him – He became a major general.
His real career began with Hitler's coming to power. Despite, that von Brauchitsch was not a supporter of national socialism, gave the new leader full support in all issues. As a reward for his obedience, he soon became the head of the 1st Military District in Königsberg, covering this position after General von Blomberg. W 1937 year he received the function of the commander 4. GA stationed in Leipzig. A day has become a sore achievement in the Brauchitsch career 4 February 1938, When, together with the promotion to the rank of General, the colonel became the head of OKH.
Walther von Brauchitsch was opposed to Hitler's ideology and tendencies. He did not want annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, He disagreed with aggression on neighboring countries. However, not wanting to fall into disgrace Fuehrer, He accepted all his ideas and did not oppose his will. When in September 1938 a conspiracy against Hitler was organized in the year, and Brauchitsch was offered to participate in it, The German general replied, that he will not do anything, to overthrow the dictator; However, he will not stop others, to do it for him.
Walther von Brauchitsch commanded an assault on Poland in 1939 year and in 1940 year with aggression on the state of Western Europe. For his achievements in the war against France, he was promoted to the rank of Feld Marshal. Moreover, spring 1941 The year Brauchitsch supervised the Wehrmacht operations in the Balkans and Crete.
Until December 1941 He also commanded the year in the fight against the Red Army. However, after less than half a year of war, Hitler blamed von Brauchitscha for the failure of the German troops near Moscow (The fact is, that Brauchitsch was the author of war plans; However, this is Hitler, changing the will, He ordered to hit the capital of the USSR in October). Fuehrer ordered Brauchitsch to withdraw from military life. The pretext was to be alleged malaise after a heart attack, which Brauchitsch suffered 19 December.
After the war, Walther von Brauchitsch was arrested in his home in Schleswik-Holsztyn and was to be tried for war crimes. He was taken to a camp for internees in England. The process, however, was not over due to the death of the Field Marshal in 1948 year in Hamburg. The reason for death was a heart attack.