Army Group North
The staff of Army Group North assembled on the 2nd of September 1939. It emerged from the headquarters of the 2nd Army, which had activated just days earlier on the 26th of August. Fedor von Bock became its first commanding general. He previously led that same 2nd Army before taking command of this new formation.
During the invasion of Poland, two armies operated under its supervision. The 3rd Army moved southwards from East Prussia toward central Poland. Its commander was Georg von Küchler. The 4th Army attacked from Pomerania into the Danzig Corridor. Günther von Kluge commanded that force.
Important battles defined their early campaign. The 3rd Army fought at Grudziądz, Mława, Różan, Łomża, Wizna, and Brześć Litewski. The 4th Army engaged in combat at Tuchola Forest, Westerplatte, Hel, and Gdynia. Four divisions served as army group reserves: the 10th Panzer Division, 73rd Infantry Division, 206th Infantry Division, and 208th Infantry Division.
Army Group North reformed from Army Group C on the 22nd of June 1941. Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb commanded it during Operation Barbarossa. Forces staged in East Prussia aimed to capture Leningrad. Their operational objectives included Baltic republic territories and securing the northern flank between Western Dvina River and Daugavpils-Kholm boundary.
The Wehrmacht deployed troops into Lithuania and northern Belorussia immediately upon commencement. Subordinate armies advanced toward specific targets. The 18th Army moved from Koenigsberg to Ventspils and Jelgava. The 4th Panzer Group targeted Pskov. The 16th Army advanced toward Kaunas and Daugavpils.
All operational objectives like Tallinn were achieved despite stubborn Red Army resistance. Several counter-offensives failed, including the Battle of Raseiniai. The army group approached Leningrad and commenced a siege that would last until 1944. In September 1941, the Spanish Blue Division joined Army Group North.
The Siege of Leningrad continued for years while the Baltic states were overrun. It ended only when the Red Army launched its Leningrad-Novgorod strategic offensive operation in 1944. Field Marshal Georg von Küchler took command on the 17th of January 1942 during this prolonged struggle.
By September 1942, the force included the 11th Army, 16th Army, and 18th Army. They fought through Demyansk Pocket and Kholm Pocket operations. Soviet Toropets-Kholm Operation challenged their lines near Velikiye Luki. The Battle of Krasny Bor tested their defensive positions further south.
Field Marshal Walter Model assumed command on the 9th of January 1944. Generaloberst Georg Lindemann replaced him by the 31st of March 1944. Johannes Frießner took over on the 4th of July 1944. Ferdinand Schörner became commander on the 23rd of July 1944 as Soviet forces pressed harder against northern defenses.
The Baltic offensive operation pushed them into this pocket during early 1945. Battles at Porkuni, Vilnius, and Memel preceded their final entrapment. The army group fought through South Estonia and the Battle for Narva Bridgehead before being cut off completely.
On the same day that Army Group North became Army Group Courland, a new formation emerged elsewhere. Army Group Center was renamed Army Group North to assume status as the third iteration. This reorganization happened simultaneously with the isolation of the original force in Latvia.
A new Army Group North formed by renaming Army Group Center operated in East Prussia. It drove forces into an ever smaller pocket around Königsberg. On the 9th of April 1945, Königsberg finally fell to the Red Army. Remnants continued resisting on Heiligenbeil and Danzig beachheads until the war ended.
Generaloberst Dr. Lothar Rendulic commanded
from the 27th of January 1945. Walter Weiß took over command on the 12th of March 1945. The force included Armee-Abteilung Grasser and later Armee-Abteilung Kleffel alongside the 16th and 18th Armies.
The Soviet East Prussian Offensive broke through German lines during late 1944. Battles at Kolberg and the Heiligenbeil pocket marked their final days. On the 2nd of April 1945, this army group dissolved completely. Its staff formed the headquarters for the 12th Army before the end of hostilities.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did Army Group North assemble and who was its first commanding general?
The staff of Army Group North assembled on the 2nd of September 1939. Fedor von Bock became its first commanding general after previously leading the 2nd Army.
Which armies operated under Army Group North during the invasion of Poland in 1939?
During the invasion of Poland, two armies operated under its supervision including the 3rd Army commanded by Georg von Küchler and the 4th Army commanded by Günther von Kluge. The 3rd Army moved southwards from East Prussia while the 4th Army attacked from Pomerania into the Danzig Corridor.
Who commanded Army Group North during Operation Barbarossa starting in June 1941?
Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb commanded Army Group North during Operation Barbarossa which began on the 22nd of June 1941. Forces staged in East Prussia aimed to capture Leningrad and secure Baltic republic territories.
What happened to Army Group North during the Siege of Leningrad between 1941 and 1944?
Army Group North approached Leningrad and commenced a siege that lasted until 1944 when the Red Army launched its Leningrad-Novgorod strategic offensive operation. Field Marshal Georg von Küchler took command on the 17th of January 1942 during this prolonged struggle.
When did Army Group North dissolve and what became of its staff after April 1945?
On the 2nd of April 1945, this army group dissolved completely as Soviet forces broke through German lines during late 1944. Its staff formed the headquarters for the 12th Army before the end of hostilities.