Page "6th Army (Wehrmacht)" Paragraph 2

The 6th Army began its involvement in the Russian Campaign as the spearhead of Army Group South.

Shortly after being promoted to Field Marshal, von Reichenau died in an aircraft accident while being transported to a hospital after a heart attack in January 1942.

He was succeeded by his former chief of staff, General der Panzertruppen Friedrich Paulus.

Paulus led the 6th Army to a major victory at the Second Battle of Kharkov during the spring of 1942.

This victory also sealed the 6th Army's destiny because it was selected by the OKH for the attack on Stalingrad.