German Leadership

Hitler in Poland.

Bundesarchiv.

Interesting 'photo of Hitler visiting the front in the early days of the Polish campaign, in the company some favourite generals. Behind the Fuhrer is Erwin Rommel, still at this time in command of Hitler's Heer bodyguard. Immediately behind the binoculars is General (later Field Marshal) Walter von Reichenau, a long-time Nazi supporter who went so far as to join the Party, long before this was permitted to Army officers. Partly obscured by his face (to his left) is Reichenau's Chief of Staff, General (later Field Marshal)Friedrich Paulus - the man who made Reichenau's train run on time, so to speak. I am not a great believer in the "what if" game, but it is interesting to speculate whether the battle of Stalingrad might have panned out a bit differently had not Reichenau died (more or less of natural causes) in the drive towards the city, leaving command of 6th Army to be transferred to the more industrious and efficiant, but less creative and politically influential Paulus. Best regards, JR.