Walter von Reichenau

Walter von Reichenau was a high-ranking German military leader. He held the rank of Generalfeldmarschall, or Field Marshal, in the Heer. The Heer was the German army during the era of Nazi Germany. Reichenau was a central figure in the military during World War II. He was known by the nickname "The Bull." His life is studied because of his military career and his role in war crimes.

Reichenau was born in 1884 in Karlsruhe, Germany. His father, Ernst August von Reichenau, was a Prussian Lieutenant General. Walter began his military service in 1903 as an artillery officer cadet. During the First World War, he served as a staff officer. He worked under Max Hoffmann, a notable military leader. Reichenau earned the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class during this conflict. Some accounts describe his early years as being both progressive and brutal. He was known to execute soldiers who were absent without leave. He was also an avid outdoorsman and a runner.

After the First World War, Reichenau joined the Reichswehr in 1919. This was the new armed force of the Weimar Republic. The officer corps was limited to only 4,000 people at that time. Reichenau was very ambitious about his career. In April 1932, his uncle introduced him to Adolf Hitler. Reichenau chose to join the Nazi Party to advance his position. This choice broke the rules intended to keep the army separate from politics. He became a devoted supporter of the Nazi government.

Reichenau played a major role in changing the power of the German military. He worked with General Werner von Blomberg to advance Nazi interests. Reichenau helped persuade Nazi leaders to break the power of the SA. This led to the "Night of the Long Knives" in June 1934. He later served in various high-level positions. In 1935, he became a lieutenant general. He was often Hitler's first choice for top military leadership. However, some older leaders sometimes refused to serve under him. He was eventually given command of the group at Leipzig.

During World War II, Reichenau led several major military campaigns. In September 1939, he commanded the 10th Army during the invasion of Poland. He was the first German to cross the Vistula river by swimming. In 1940, he led the 6th Army during the invasions of Belgium and France. Hitler promoted him to Field Marshal in 1940. In 1941, he led the 6th Army during Operation Barbarossa. This was the massive invasion of the Soviet Union. His troops captured several large cities, including Kiev, Belgorod, Kharkov, and Kursk.

While commanding the 6th Army, Reichenau committed serious crimes against humanity. He was an anti-Semite who targeted Jewish people. In October 1941, he issued the Severity Order. This order encouraged German soldiers to murder Jewish civilians on the Eastern Front. His troops cooperated with the SS Einsatzgruppen. These groups were responsible for the massacre of over 33,000 Jews at Babi Yar. Reichenau also took part in the Bila Tserkva massacre involving ninety children. He even suggested ways to save ammunition during these killings. These actions were part of the Holocaust.

Reichenau's life ended abruptly in early 1942. He suffered a stroke after a routine run in cold weather. While being flown to Leipzig for medical help, his plane crashed in Lemberg. It is unknown if the stroke or the crash caused his death. He was given a state funeral by the Nazi government. Although he died before the end of the war, he was still significant. At the Nuremberg trials, the High Command of the Armed Forces was indicted. Reichenau was specifically cited in that indictment because of his orders. His actions remain a dark part of military history.