Despite being removed, along with other senior army officers, by Hitler in 1938 during the Blomberg-Fritsch crisis, von Rundstedt was recalled to duty in August 1939 to lead the Polish invasion. He commanded Army Group South throughout the campaign. His talents as a field commander and staff officer were also used against France in 1940, and subsequently elsewhere. He always served within or close to the high command. He was enthusiastic about the mass killing of Jews, and accepted huge bribes from Hitler.
