German Forces

Generalfeldmarschall Fedor von Bock

Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal) Fedor von Bock (1880-1945). Decorated with the "Pour le Merit" ("Blue Max") in WW1 as a Major, awarded with the Knight's cross on September 30th 1939. He was commander of different army groups but was retired by Hitler in July 1942 after the failure of Operation Braunschweig (second part of german summer-offensive with Stalingrad as objective). On May 3rd 1945 in northern Germany he was on his way to Großadmiral Dönitz to offer his service for the new gouvernment of the Reich when his car was attacked by a british low-flying plane. Von Bocks wife, his daughter, a schoolfriend of his daughter and his driver were killed instantly. The field marshal died the next day, May 4th, due to his severe burnings and a shot wound at the left buttock.