Runstedt

Gurd Von Runstedt

Gerd von Rundstedt was born in 1875 at
Aschersleben in Saxony, the son of a
Hussar Officer who later became a
Major General. At the tender age of
twelve Gerd entered the cadet military
academy, then rose to command the
German army.
Field Marshall Gerd Von Rundstedt
1875-1953

Twelve years of age his career began,
Quickly maturing from boy to man,
A junior ensign at just seventeen,
Quickly adapting to military routine.
Sardonic by nature, true to his line,
Inefficiency quick to malign,
Standard uniform studiously dressed,
Military know how his family blessed.
A major general his father became,
Gerd determined to better his game,
Gaining experience through the Great War
Surviving this as Company Major.
Not a supporter of Nazi success,
But government orders he would address,
In '32 came Marshall Law,
Social democrats made to withdraw.
Conflicting earnestly with Hitlers men,
Calling Hitler a comedian,
Taking retirment in '38,
Hitler then would reinstate.
Making him commander of army group north,
Into Poland he immediately set forth,
Polands defeat a great success,
But Rundstedt disliking the murderous SS.
Getting a move away from them,
Torture and cruelty he did condemn,
With Army Group South he took command,
Leading the invasion of  Russian land.
Barbarossa initially a great success,
But winters chill the Russians would bless,
Rundstedt requested to withdraw his men,
To re-equip and attend to them.
Hitler refused and ordered them on,
Orchestrating his own swan song,
Sacking Rundstedt on the spot,
Rundstedt lucky not to be shot.
Reinstated the very next year,
Supreme commander showing no fear,
Arguing with Hitler, Goering as well,
Hitler again bid him farewell.
In '44 reinstated again,
As supreme commander he would remain,
Hitler demanding Gurd stop the rot,
At last conceding he’d lost the plot.
Never tried at Nuremburgh,
A soldiers soldier, undeterred,
Sraight, honest, the thinking kind,
One of the few that kept his mind.
jb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed0bheSHFlc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igrmMKkRMRs