A German general who planned the invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, known for his role in one of the most pivotal and devastating military operations in history.
Erich Marcks, a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II, is best known for drafting the operational plan, Operation Draft East, for the invasion of the Soviet Union, also known as Operation Barbarossa. His plan, which advocated for the capture of Moscow and beyond, was a crucial component of the Nazi war effort.
Born on June 6, 1891, Marcks studied philosophy in Freiburg in 1909, a foundational step in his future military career.
Marcks joined the Army in 1910 and fought in World War I, where he completed General Staff Training and was transferred to the Imperial General Staff Corps in 1917. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and then 1st Class, and posted to the German Supreme Command.
After the war, Marcks fought with the paramilitary Freikorps and later joined the Army of the German Republic (Reichsheer) between 1921 and 1933. During this period, he held several staff and command positions and served in the Ministry of Defense.
On April 1, 1933, after Hitler came to power, Marcks was transferred to the army, serving as Chief of Staff of VIII Corps. He was a recipient of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
In the summer of 1940, Franz Halder, chief of OKH General Staff, directed Marcks to draft an initial operational plan for the invasion of the Soviet Union. Marcks produced a report entitled Operation Draft East, which advocated for the AA line as the operational objective of the invasion of Russia.
In 1941, Marcks served as Chief of Staff of 18th Army during the Battle of France. He later became the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Army in 1942.
Marcks' contributions to the German war effort cannot be overstated. His plan for Operation Barbarossa played a crucial role in shaping the course of the war on the Eastern Front.
Despite his significant achievements, Marcks' legacy is complex and multifaceted. His role in the Nazi war machine has been the subject of controversy and debate among historians and scholars.
Little is known about Marcks' personal life, but it is recorded that he died on June 12, 1944, during World War II.
There are no recorded quotes or memorable sayings attributed to Erich Marcks.
Marcks' life and career are deeply embedded in the historical context of World War II and the Nazi regime. His contributions to the war effort have been the subject of much debate and analysis among historians and scholars.
Despite his significant achievements, Marcks' legacy is complex and multifaceted. His role in the Nazi war machine has been the subject of controversy and debate among historians and scholars.
Born in 1889
The dictator of Nazi Germany, responsible for the genocide of six million Jews and millions of other people during World War II, and infamous for his extreme nationalist and anti-Semitic ideology.
Born in 1900
Leading the SS and Gestapo, he oversaw the Nazi regime's brutal security apparatus and implemented the "Final Solution," orchestrating the genocide of six million Jews during World War II.
Born in 1893
A high-ranking Nazi official, he was a decorated World War I fighter pilot and later became a prominent politician, serving as Minister President of Prussia. He's infamous for his role in the Nazi regime and war crimes trials.
Born in 1893
A German diplomat who served as the Nazi regime's Foreign Minister, orchestrating key alliances and treaties that led to World War II. He was a close associate of Adolf Hitler and played a crucial role in shaping Nazi foreign policy.
Born in 1882
A high-ranking Nazi officer who served as the Chief of the OKW, the German High Command, during World War II, and was known for his unwavering loyalty to Hitler. He was tried and executed for war crimes after the war.
Born in 1890
Chief of the German High Command during World War II, responsible for planning and executing military operations, and signing the unconditional surrender of Germany.
Born in 1888
A pioneering tank commander who revolutionized modern warfare with his innovative blitzkrieg tactics, earning him the nickname "Father of the Panzerwaffe".
Born in 1880
A German field marshal who led the Wehrmacht during World War II, playing a key role in the invasion of Poland and the Battle of Moscow. He was a prominent figure in the German high command during the war.
