Günther von Kluge

Profession: WWII Field Marshal

Biography: Günther von Kluge was a German field marshal during World War II, serving on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. He participated in the invasion of Poland, the battle of France, the invasion of the Soviet Union, and the Battle of Moscow.

While Kluge commanded Army Group Centre on the Eastern Front, he was injured in a car accident in 1943 and withdrawn. Kluge was then appointed Commander of the Germany Army in the West upon his return, replacing Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt who had claimed that the war was lost.

The Allied offensive on the Western front proved too much for Kluge, who soon stated: "I am no pessimist. But in my view, the situation could not be grimmer." When Kluges ultimately called for withdrawal, he was contradicted by Hitler ordering instead a counterattack which ultimately failed.

Kluges' career came to an end as a result of the 20 July plot against Hitler, led by Claus von Stauffenberg. Although Kluges had not participated directly, he had been aware of the plot and sympathetic. Hitler survived the attempt on his life, and Kluges committed suicide thinking he had been implicated.

Born: October 3, 1882
Birthplace: Posen, Prussia, German Empire
Star Sign: Libra

Died: August 19, 1944 (aged 61)
Cause of Death: Committed suicide by potassium cyanide on the belief he had been implicated in the 20 July plot to kill Adolf Hitler