Army Group South
In September 1939, the German Army Group South marched into Poland alongside Army Group North. Gerd von Rundstedt commanded this force while Erich von Manstein served as his chief of staff. The invasion marked the first time this specific army group designation appeared in history. Soldiers moved across borders to seize territory for the Third Reich. This campaign set a precedent for future large-scale operations on the Eastern Front.
Hitler ordered forces to capture Soviet Ukraine and its capital city Kiev during Operation Barbarossa. Ukraine held major centers of industry and mining that Germany needed. The region also provided good farmland required for Hitler's plans for living space. Army Group South advanced up to the Volga River to engage part of the Red Army. This action cleared the way for Army Group North and Army Group Center to approach Leningrad and Moscow respectively. The battle order included First Panzer Group under General Kleist. It also contained the German Sixth Army led by General Reichenau. Seventeenth Army was commanded by General Stülpnagel. Eleventh Army fell under General Schobert. Luftlotte 1 operated under Keller. Romanian Third and Fourth Armies joined the offensive.
In preparation for Case Blue, the 1942 campaign split Army Group South into two separate formations. Army Group A received orders to move south toward the oil fields in the Caucasus. Adolf Hitler met with officers at the headquarters of Army Group South in Poltava on the 1st of June 1942. By February 1943, Army Group Don combined with existing Army Group B to form a new Army Group South. A fresh Army Group B became a major formation elsewhere. The German Sixth Army had been destroyed in the Battle of Stalingrad before being reconstituted. It later made part of Army Group South in March 1943. By the end of December 1943, strength dropped to 328,397 German soldiers. Another 109,816 allied soldiers and non-German volunteer troops joined them.
On the 4th of April 1944, Army Group South changed its name to Army Group North Ukraine. This designation existed from the 4th of April until the 28th of September that same year. In September 1944, Army Group South Ukraine was renamed Army Group South again. Fighting occurred in Western Hungary until March 1945. The remnants retired to Austria at the end of the Second World War. On the 2nd of April 1945, they received the final name Army Group Ostmark. Army Group Ostmark stood as one of the last major German military formations to surrender to the Allies. The force fought in and around Austria and Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia during these final months.
In October 1944, the order of battle listed specific commanders for each unit within Army Group South. General Friessner led the main group while General Fretter-Pico commanded the Sixth Army. Lieutenant General Kleeman directed IV Panzer Corps. Lieutenant General Schmidt oversaw LXXII Army Corps. Major General Vörös led VII Army Corps. Lieutenant General Breith managed III Panzer Corps. General Wöhler took charge of Eighth Army. Lieutenant General Kreysing ran XVII Army Corps. Brigadier General Kovács headed IX Army Corps. Lieutenant General von Dalnoki attached Hungarian units to the Second Army. Lieutenant General Heszlényi commanded Third Army. These officers coordinated divisions including 24th Panzer Division, 76th Infantry Division, and 8th Reserve Division. Hungarian forces contributed significantly alongside German troops throughout this campaign phase.
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Common questions
Who commanded Army Group South during the invasion of Poland in September 1939?
Gerd von Rundstedt commanded Army Group South while Erich von Manstein served as his chief of staff. This force marched into Poland alongside Army Group North to seize territory for the Third Reich.
When did Hitler order forces to capture Soviet Ukraine and Kiev during Operation Barbarossa?
Hitler ordered forces to capture Soviet Ukraine and its capital city Kiev during Operation Barbarossa. The region held major centers of industry and mining that Germany needed along with good farmland required for living space plans.
What happened to Army Group South in preparation for Case Blue in 1942?
In preparation for Case Blue the 1942 campaign split Army Group South into two separate formations. Army Group A received orders to move south toward the oil fields in the Caucasus while Adolf Hitler met with officers at the headquarters of Army Group South in Poltava on the 1st of June 1942.
On what date did Army Group South change its name to Army Group North Ukraine?
On the 4th of April 1944 Army Group South changed its name to Army Group North Ukraine. This designation existed from the 4th of April until the 28th of September that same year before being renamed again in September 1944.
Which commanders led units within Army Group South in October 1944?
General Friessner led the main group while General Fretter-Pico commanded the Sixth Army in October 1944. Lieutenant General Kleeman directed IV Panzer Corps and Major General Vörös led VII Army Corps among other coordinated divisions including 24th Panzer Division and 76th Infantry Division.