Model, Field Marshal Walther

Model, Field Marshal Walther (1891–1945),German Army officer whose expertise in defensive warfare during the German–Soviet war earned him the nickname of the ‘Führer's fireman’.

Born near Magdeburg to a Lutheran schoolmaster, Model ended the First World War as a captain and by November 1940 his talents and drive—‘can't that be done faster?’ was a favourite phrase of his—had earned him promotion to maj-general. A ruthless man of enormous energy and resourcefulness, he was a strong supporter of Hitler, though whether through conviction or opportunism it is impossible to say. He was one of the very few generals who continually stood up to Hitler and yet managed to survive. He was as popular with his troops as he was unpopular with his staff who despaired of his meddling in tactical detail.

Model's 3rd Panzer Division, as part of Guderian's Second Panzer Group, led the thrust into the Ukraine when Germany invaded the USSR in June 1941 (see BARBAROSSA), and early successes, and Hitler's high regard for his talents, resulted in promotion to lt-general while commanding a panzer corps during the drive on Moscow in late 1941. Then in January 1942, in his first task as a ‘fireman’, he took command of the Ninth Army, threatened with encirclement around Rzhev. He turned potential defeat into a defensive victory and was promoted general. Successive Soviet offensives to dislodge his army from its salient 180 km. (112 mi.) from Moscow failed; and when eventually forced to withdraw, in March 1943, he did so with consummate skill.

Model's prowess now gave him a leading role in CITADEL, Hitler's plan to destroy the Red Army's salient around Kursk, but he persuaded Hitler to delay the German offensive from May to July 1943 so that he could build up his forces. The pause also gave his opponents time to build up theirs and he must take a large share of the blame that Kursk, the largest tank battle in history, ended in a German defeat.

However, Hitler's faith in him remained undiminished and in January 1944 Model took command of Army Group North which had just suffered a severe reverse when the Red Army raised the siege of Leningrad. To counter Hitler's ban on retreat, Model introduced his policy of Schild und Schwert (shield and sword)—a withdrawal was permissible as part of a planned counter-offensive. It satisfied Hitler and allowed Model to stabilize his front, and on 1 March 1944 he was promoted field marshal, the second youngest in the German Army after Rommel.

On 30 March 1944 Model became C-in-C Army Group South (Army Group North Ukraine from early April) and in June 1944, while still commanding Army Group North Ukraine, replaced Busch as C-in-C of the defeated remnants of Army Group Centre. Model pulled back what remained of his forces and by 1 August the Red Army was just 24 km. (15 mi.) from the east Prussian border. But it then ran out of steam and Model, though heavily outnumbered, counter-attacked, destroyed the Second Tank Army, and pushed the Soviets back nearly 50 km. Hitler called him the ‘saviour of the Eastern Front’ and in August sent him to replace Kluge as C-in-C Army Group B and C-in-C West.

But by mid-August the Normandy campaign was beyond redemption for the Germans and by early September Model's forces had been cleared from France. Hitler now recalled Rundstedt to become C-in-C West, but Model retained command of Army Group B. With it he led a supremely skilful defence which caused the Allies numerous problems during the 85-day Scheldt Estuary battle and which successfully repelled the Allied airborne attack at Arnhem (see MARKET-GARDEN). He then commanded the Ardennes campaign in December. When this last gamble failed and his forces, some 325,000 strong, became trapped in the Ruhr pocket during the battle for Germany, he dissolved his Army Group and committed suicide.

Bibliography

Mitcham, S. , Hitler's Field Marshals and Their Battles (London, 1988).