Weird War Tales #17 (1973), story page 4 by Chan

"A Gun Named Marie!" Script by E. Nelson Bridwell. Plot by Michael J. Pellowski. Cover date September 1973.

"Belgium, December 1944! The German armies, under von Runstadt, have launched their final offensive of World War II, the Battle of the Bulge! The Allied forces are being forced back. This particular American division has been hard hit. As they pull out, carrying their wounded to safety, a handful of infantry remains behind, to cover the retreat. Let's take a look at one of them...that young fella in the foxhole. Many men may live or die...depending on well his gun operates..."

Another misspelling. The German general's name was "von Rundstedt," not "von Runstadt." He was technically Commander-in-Chief in the West during the offensive, but had essentially checked out after Hitler dismissed his objections to the plan and in light of his past failed efforts to change Hitler's mind.

Rundstedt came from a Prussian family with a long military tradition, serving as a staff officer during World War I and becoming a general before retiring in 1938. (Wikipedia)

He was recalled to the army at the beginning of World War II for the invasion of Poland. He commanded an army group during the Battle of France and was subsequently promoted to Field Marshal in 1940. He commanded an army group during the invasion of Russia and was responsible for the largest encirclement in history, the Battle of Kiev. Hitler relieved him of command, however, in December 1941 for authorizing the withdrawal from Rostov. (Wikipedia)

In 1942, Hitler recalled him to be Commander-in-Chief in the West. On the morning of the Normandy invasion Hitler refused von Rundstedt's request to release the Panzer reserves. As the Normandy situation deteriorated, he and Rommel argued with Hitler that their forces should withdraw to a defensive line along the Seine River and Germany should negotiate an end to the war. Hitler dismissed him in July 1944, blaming him for the defeat in Normandy. (Wikipedia)

Rundstedt neither participated in nor informed on the participants in the July 20 assassination attempt against Hitler. However, he chaired the military committee that discharged several officers accused of involvement by the SS from the military, clearing the way for their subsequent show trials and hangings. The committee also exonerated other officers, saving their lives. Rundstedt and General Heinz Guderian have been singled out as the two who most contributed to Rommel's expulsion from the army, especially as both had good reason to dislike him; however, Rommel and Rundstedt had always had a grudging respect for one another, and Rundstedt later served as Hitler's representative at Rommel's state funeral. (Wikipedia)

Hitler returned him to Commander-in-Chief in the West a few months after his dismissal and in the wake of the assassination attempt, partly for propaganda purposes as he was among the most respected generals. Hitler viewed him as a figurehead until his final dismissal in March 1945. He argued against Hitler's plan for the Bulge offensive to no avail. Resigned and fed up, he declined to join General Model's visit to Berlin to try and change Hitler's mind, commenting that he hated listening to Hitler's monologues. (Wikipedia)

Rundstedt complained publicly several times during and after the war: "Without Hitler's consent, I can't even move my own sentry from my front door around to the back!" Privately with other generals he referred to Hitler as that Bohemian corporal. (Wikipedia)

By the war's end, he was the Army's most senior officer at age 69 with over 52 years of service. He was charged with war crimes, but did not face trial due to his age and poor health. He was released in 1949, and died in 1953. (Wikipedia)