Blomberg, Werner Eduard Fritz von (1878-1943)

German field marshal. After a sound but unremarkable career in World War I, Blomberg became minister of war January 1933 and commander-in-chief of German armed forces May 1935. Hitler forced him to resign shortly after he was appointed field marshal 1936.

Hindenburg appointed him minister of war in the hope that he would act as a counterbalance to Hitler, but in the event he became one of Hitler's devotees. However, Hitler discarded him when he married a former prostitute 1936, which gave Hitler the chance to demand his resignation on the ground that his conduct brought the officer corps into disrepute. This, as Hitler planned, shook the confidence of the army and allowed him to replace several senior officers with his own appointees.