Introduction 'Model's most outstanding characteristic was his extraordinary drive, which was not without a certain ruthlessness. To this he added great self-assurance in asserting himself and a determination in expressing his opinions. By his own reckoning he was an optimist who would not acknowledge difficulties. He expressed his own views quite frankly, even to Hitler. In any event, Model was a brave soldier and often bluntly demanded the same of those under his command. He was always to be found in the most critical sector of any front be commanded." --Field Marshal Erich von Manstein in Lost Victories Model is "mein bester Feldmarschall." --Adolf Hitler Fighting relentlessly "against the odds" Walther Model was one of Nazi Germany's top military commanders, a soldier whose ruthless devotion to duty and indomitable will earned him both a brilliant reputation as a specialist in defensive warfare and the famous sobriquet, "The Fuhrer's Fireman." As the tide of war turned against Germany, Adolf Hitler called on Model again and again to retrieve the most desperate operational situations, military challenges which required of Model the highest level of skill, energy and determination. When at last the Wehrmacht was shattered and the Reich lay in ruins, Model shot himself rather than capitulate, true to his credo that, "A German field marshal does not surrender. Such a thing is not possible." [1] Yet in the light of history Model does not stand in the front ranks of the Wehrmacht's most famous field marshals. Better known leaders, such as von Rundstedt, von Manstein, Kesselring and Rommel, have for a variety of reasons received greater public and historical recognition, both as military commanders and as men. This article will examine the career of General Feldmarschall Walther Model, and posit that he too merits a place on the short list of World War II's greatest commanders. The Fuhrer's Fireman Field Marshal Walther Model Introduction Pre-World War II WWII 1939-1943 The Fuhrer's Fireman and 1944 Battle of the Bulge into 1945 Conclusion Bibliography Footnotes Back to Table of Contents -- Against the Odds vol. 1 no. 4 Back to Against the Odds List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2003 by LPS. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com * Buy this back issue or subscribe to Against the Odds direct from LPS.