A Prussian Field Marshal who served Hitler while despising his regime's political interference

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Gerd von Rundstedt was the German Army's most senior officer during World War II, yet he remained a staunch monarchist who viewed political involvement as beneath a soldier. Despite his disdain for the Nazi leadership, he consistently refused to join anti-Hitler plots, prioritizing his rigid code of military obedience.

Born in 1875 into an old Prussian noble family, Gerd von Rundstedt followed a traditional military path, entering the Prussian Army in 1892. By the end of World War II, he was the Army's most senior officer with over 52 years of service. Throughout his career, he maintained a firm belief that military officers should remain detached from politics, a stance he held even as he navigated the volatile environment of the Third Reich.

Rundstedt’s relationship with the Nazi regime was defined by a complex tension. While he supported rearmament and the denunciation of the Treaty of Versailles, he privately disliked Hitler and the Nazi party. He frequently clashed with Nazi leadership over military appointments and strategy, most notably during the Blomberg–Fritsch Affair in 1938. Despite being aware of various plots to depose Hitler, he refused to participate or report them, citing his belief that the Army should support the government of the day regardless of its nature.

His military career saw him command major operations, including the invasion of Poland and the 1940 Battle of France, where he played a decisive role in supporting the Manstein Plan. However, his tenure was marked by controversy, including his responsibility for war crimes committed by troops under his command in Poland. Although he was charged with war crimes after the war, his advanced age and poor health prevented him from facing trial. He was released in 1949 and died in 1953, leaving behind a legacy as a traditionalist caught in the machinery of a regime he claimed to despise.

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