Which German commanders led the armoured groups advancing toward Moscow?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Eastern Front Red Army soldier waving the Soviet flag during the Battle of Stalingrad.

During the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, the main offensive toward Moscow was conducted by Army Group Centre, commanded by Field Marshal Fedor von Bock.12

Assigned to his front were two armoured groups—later redesignated as armies—that spearheaded the advance toward Smolensk and Moscow:12

General Heinz Guderian: Commanded one of the two armoured groups allotted to Bock’s front.12
General Hermann Hoth: Commanded the second armoured group assigned to Bock’s front.12

These armoured forces were central to the German strategy of blitzkrieg, executing major encirclement maneuvers throughout the campaign, including at Minsk, Smolensk, and Vyazma, as they pushed toward the Soviet capital.12