Walter von Reichenau commanded the 10th Army during the 1939 invasion of Poland, famously crossing the Vistula River by swimming while pushing his equipment on a raft. This act of tactical bravado mirrored his rise within the Prussian military establishment, transitioning from a First World War staff officer into a decisive, highly political Generalfeldmarschall of Nazi Germany.
Military Origins and Interwar Maneuvering
Born in 1884 in Karlsruhe to Lieutenant General Ernst August von Reichenau, Walter entered the Prussian Army in 1903 as an artillery cadet. During the First World War, he served as a staff officer, earning the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class. Following the armistice, he joined the Freikorps and the newly formed Reichswehr. By 1930, he served as Chief of Staff to the Inspector of Signals, positioning himself within the Ministry of the Reichswehr. He cultivated a close relationship with the Nazi leadership, eventually breaking from the traditional monarchist politics of the Prussian officer caste to align himself with the party's revolutionary ambitions.
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Reichenau acted as a critical conduit between the German Army and the Nazi Party, particularly through his alliance with Werner von Blomberg. As head of the Ministerial Office, he played a central role in the political maneuvering that led to the removal of SA leadership during the 1934 Night of the Long Knives. Although he was Hitler's preferred candidate for commander-in-chief of the Heer, institutional resistance from older officers prevented his appointment in 1934 and 1938. Despite these setbacks, he continued to ascend, receiving command of the 7th Army Corps and later Group Command in Leipzig.
Commands in World War II
His combat leadership was defined by aggressive, direct control. After his tenure in Poland, he commanded the 6th Army during the 1940 invasion of Belgium and France, resulting in his promotion to Generalfeldmarschall. In 1941, during Operation Barbarossa, he led the 6th Army as part of Army Group South, securing control over Kiev, Belgorod, Kharkov, and Kursk. He was known for hands-on inspections of captured Soviet hardware, such as the T-34 tank, to evaluate their technical specifications personally.
The Eastern Front and War Crimes
Operating in the Soviet Union, Reichenau oversaw the implementation of brutal occupation policies. He issued the Severity Order, which directed soldiers to facilitate the murder of Jewish civilians. His forces coordinated directly with SS Einsatzgruppen to conduct the mass murder of more than 33,000 Jewish people at Babi Yar. These actions established his legacy as a central figure in the crimes against humanity committed on the Eastern Front.
Fast facts
- Born: 1884, Karlsruhe
- Died: 1942, Lviv
- Military Rank: Generalfeldmarschall
- Nickname: Der Bulle (The Bull)
- Marriage: Alexandrine Gräfin Maltzan Freiin zu Wartenberg und Penzlin
- Key Decoration: Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Notable Membership: International Olympic Committee
- Burial Site: Invalids' Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What specific role did Reichenau play in the Holocaust?
He issued the Severity Order, which encouraged soldiers to murder civilians, and his command facilitated the massacre of over 33,000 Jews at Babi Yar.
Why was Reichenau a political figure?
He acted as the primary liaison between the army and the Nazi Party and advocated for the removal of the SA leadership to solidify Hitler's power.
Achievements
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Worked as military officer and general field marshal