Ritterkreuz Actions of Gerd von Rundstedt

Gerd von Rundstedt (12 December 1875 - 24 February 1953) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes #1 on 30 September 1939 as Generaloberst and Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Süd. The medal was awarded for his leadership of Heeresgruppe Süd during the Polish campaign. In the ten-day battle of the Bzura (9-19 September 1939) the bulk of the Polish army was destroyed. On 27 September 1939 Warsaw was captured.

Rundstedt received the Eichenlaub #519 for his Ritterkreuz on 1 July 1944 as Generalfeldmarschall and Oberbefehlshaber West. The medal was awarded for the German defense along the Invasion Front, as well as his success in leading Heeresgruppe Süd during Operation Barbarossa. Rundstedt oversaw the Heeresgruppe during the victorious encirclement battles at Uman and Kiev, as well as the capture of the critically important Donez basin.

Rundstedt received the Schwerter #133 for his Ritterkreuz on 18 February 1945 as Generalfeldmarschall and Oberbefehlshaber West. The medal was awarded for his conduct of the war on the western front following the Normandy battles, including the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945).

 

Source :
https://gmic.co.uk/topic/76875-ribbon-bar-long-service-for-40-years/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/34587/Rundstedt-von-Gerd.htm

The Capture of Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt

Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt, brilliant Prussian military strategist, and acknowledged dean of Junker generals, surrendered to 2nd Lt. Joseph E. Burke and a ten man patrol from Company A, 141st Infantry, on May 1, during the battle for Bad Tolz. A prisoner taken by the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry, first revealed that Von Rundstedt was in the area. When further questioned, he told of the house in which the marshal's party was quartered. As Lt. Burke entered the hospital residence, Von Rundstedt, his wife and son, jumped up from their seats before the fire. Said the field marshal, "It is a most disgraceful situation for a soldier to give himself up without offering resistance." The son, Lt. Hans Gerd von Rundstedt, stated that his father had last seen Hitler on March 12 when he had been relieved of his command of all German armies on the Western Front. The aging Rundstedt had been taking a bath cure at Bad Tolz in an effort to heal a leg ailment. Despite a noticeable limp he retained the traditional Junker austerity.

Rundstedt arrived at the HQ of 36th Infantry Division, 2 May 1945

Rundstedt with U.S. Major-General John E. Dahlquist, Commander of 36th Infantry Division, 2 May 1945


Rundstedt with U.S. Major-General Frank W. Milburn, Commanding General of U.S. XXI Corps, 2 May 1945

Rundstedt with Lieutenant-General Alexander M. Patch, Commanding General of U.S. 7th Army, 5 May 1945

FLTR: Lieutenant Dr. Hans von Rundstedt, Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt, and Lieutenant-General Alexander M. Patch, Commanding General of U.S. 7th Army, 6 May 1945

Source :
http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/36division/archives/seigfri/prize.htm