Kluge, (Hans) Gunther von (1882–1944)

German field marshal. He served in the invasions of Poland and France and was promoted to field marshal July 1940. He led 4th Army in the invasion of the USSR, later succeeding von Bock as commander of Army Group Centre. He replaced von Rundstedt as commander-in-chief in the West July 1944, with orders to throw the Allies back into the sea. After the disaster at the Falaise Gap he was relieved and replaced by Model. He was caught up in the aftermath of the failed July Plot against Hitler, although not involved in it himself and was ‘invited’ to commit suicide.