Ernst Busch (military)

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Ernst Busch
6 July 1885 – 17 July 1945
Image:EBusch.JPG Generalfeldmarshall Ernst Busch
Place of birth	Steele, Kreis Essen
Place of death	Camp Aldershot near London, England
Allegiance	German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Heer
Years of service	1904-1945
Rank	Generalfeldmarschall
Commands	16. Armee
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves

Not to be confused with Ernst Busch (actor).

Ernst Busch (6 July, 1885 - 17 July, 1945) was a German field marshal during World War II.

Background

Early life and career

He was born in Essen-Steele, Germany, and was educated at the Groß Lichterfelde Cadet Academy. Busch entered the Prussian Army in 1904 and served on the Western Front during World War I. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite in 1918. After the war, Busch remained in the army and was appointed Inspector of Transport Troops in 1925. He was promoted in 1930 to lieutenant-colonel and given command of the Infantry Regiment No. 9.

World War II

Busch served under Wilhelm List during the Invasion of Poland of 1939, and the following year he led the German Sixteenth Army during the Western Offensive. He was awarded the Knight's Cross by Hitler for his efforts.

Busch took part in Operation Barbarossa and on 8th September 1941 his 16th Army took Demyansk before taking part in the siege of Leningrad. Despite a counter-attack by the Red Army, Busch's troops held the line from Staraya Russa to Ostashkov. After a brave defence of his position he was promoted to field marshal. He commanded Army Group Centre in 1943 and 1944 but after the disastrous defeat of June 1944, he was sacked by Hitler early in July 1944 and replaced by Field Marshal Walther Model.

Busch was recalled in March 1945 when he became head of Army Group Northwest. Along with Kurt Student and his 1st Parachute Army, Busch had the task of trying to halt the advance of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and the Allies into Germany. Busch surrendered to Montgomery on 3rd May, 1945, and died in a prisoner of war camp in Aldershot, England, on 17 July 1945. He is buried at Cannock Chase German war cemetery, Staffordshire.

Military offices
Preceded by none	Commander of 16. Armee January, 1940 - 12 October, 1943	Succeeded by General der Artillerie Christian Hansen
Preceded by Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge	Commander of Heeresgruppe Mitte 12 October, 1943 - 28 June, 1944	Succeeded by Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model
Preceded by Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz	Commander of Heeresgruppe H 15 April, 1945 - 3 May, 1945	Succeeded by none