Ernst Busch

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

He was born in Essen-Steele, Germany, and was educated at the Groß Lichterfelde Cadet Academy. Busch entered the German 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 9th Infantry Regiment.

Busch served under Wilhelm von List during the Polish September Campaign 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 to Ostashkov. After a brave defence of his position he was promoted to Field Marshal. He commanded Army Group Centre in 1943 - 1944 but after a disastrous defeat in Belorussia, resulting from Hitler's strategic mistake, 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.

See also Ernst Busch (actor)