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Georg von Küchler
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R63872, Georg von Küchler.jpg
Küchler in 1943
Birth name Georg Carl Wilhelm Friedrich von Küchler
Born (1881-05-30)30 May 1881
Philippsruhe Manor, Hanau, Kreis Hanau, Hesse-Nassau, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Died 25 May 1968(1968-05-25) (aged 86)
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Landkreis Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, West Germany
Allegiance
Years of service 1900 – 1944
Rank Generalfeldmarschall
Commands held
  • 18th Army
  • Army Group North
Battles/wars World War I

World War II

Awards See awards
Signature Georg von Küchler signature.svg

Georg Carl Wilhelm Friedrich von Küchler (born May 30, 1881 – died May 25, 1968) was a high-ranking German military leader, known as a Field Marshal, during World War II. He led the 18th Army and Army Group North during the war on the Eastern Front.

After the war, he was put on trial for his actions during the conflict. He was found guilty of serious offenses and was sentenced to prison. He was later released in 1953.

Early Life and Military Career

Georg von Küchler was born on May 30, 1881, at Schloss Philippsruhe in Germany. His family had a long history in Prussia. In 1900, he joined the Imperial Army as a young officer cadet, specializing in artillery.

He quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a second lieutenant in 1901 and a first lieutenant in 1910. He also studied at the Prussian Military Academy, a top military school. After graduating in 1913, he joined the main military staff in Berlin.

World War I Service

When World War I began, Küchler was sent to the Western Front. As a captain, he commanded an artillery unit. He took part in major battles like the Somme and Verdun. For his bravery, he received the Iron Cross medal.

Later in the war, he worked in staff roles, helping to plan military operations. After the war ended, he joined a group called the Freikorps and fought against the Red Army in Poland.

Between the World Wars

After World War I, Küchler continued his military career in the new German army, the Reichswehr. He served in various positions, including commanding an artillery battery. He was promoted to major in 1924 and later became a colonel in 1931.

By 1934, he was a major general and commanded the 1st Infantry Division. The next year, he became a lieutenant general and was put in charge of army schools. In 1938, he became a general of artillery and commanded the 1st Military District, which was a challenging area near Poland. His troops marched into the city of Memel (now Klaipėda) in 1939.

World War II Campaigns

Invasion of Poland

When World War II started, Küchler's command became the German 3rd Army. He led several divisions, including a tank division, during the invasion of Poland. His forces captured the city of Danzig and advanced towards Warsaw.

Küchler's troops linked up with Soviet forces after defeating Polish units. After the Polish campaign, he was put in charge of the Army Frontier Command North. It is noted that Küchler refused to allow his soldiers to harm Polish civilians, stating that the army was not a "killer gang." This led to his removal from that command. In November 1939, he was given command of the 18th Army, which was being prepared for operations against the Netherlands.

Invasion of the Netherlands

On May 10, 1940, Germany began its invasion of the Low Countries and France. Küchler, leading the 18th Army, fought under General Fedor von Bock. His forces defeated the Dutch army in several key areas, including Moerdijk, Rotterdam, and The Hague.

After four days of fighting, the Dutch army surrendered on May 14. Küchler met with the Dutch military leaders and officially accepted their surrender. His troops then moved into Belgium and occupied Antwerp.

Eastern Front Operations

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-B08041, Reval, Besuch General Georg v. Küchler in
Küchler (middle, with binoculars) visiting Reval (Tallinn) after its capture, August 1941

Küchler supported the war against the Soviet Union. He believed it was necessary for Germany's future. During Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, his 18th Army advanced quickly. They captured cities like Ostrov and Pskov.

His army reached Narva and Kingisepp, then continued towards Leningrad. They helped create a siege around Leningrad, cutting off the city from many directions.

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2007-0316-504, Beobachtungsposten, v. Leeb, Küchler
Field Marshal Leeb (right) with Küchler (middle) at an observation post on the Eastern Front, October 1941

In January 1942, Küchler took over command of Army Group North from Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb. He maintained the difficult siege of Leningrad for a long time. On June 30, 1942, Hitler promoted Küchler to Generalfeldmarschall, the highest military rank.

In January 1944, Küchler was removed from his command and replaced by another general. He then retired from military service. He was asked to join a group that opposed Hitler, but he declined.

Trial and Later Life

After World War II ended, American forces arrested Küchler. He was put on trial as part of the Subsequent Nuremberg trials, which looked into the actions of high-ranking German military leaders.

On October 27, 1948, Küchler was found guilty of serious offenses committed during the war in the Soviet Union. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to 12 years in 1951. He was released from prison in February 1953. Georg von Küchler lived with his wife in the Garmisch region of Germany until his death on May 25, 1968.

Awards

  • Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (November 20, 1914) & 1st Class (January 8, 1915)
  • Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (September 11, 1939) & 1st Class (September 22, 1939)
  • Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
    • Knight's Cross on September 30, 1939, as General der Artillerie and commander of the 3rd Army
    • 273rd Oak Leaves on August 21, 1943, as Generalfeldmarschall and commander of Army Group North

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