While on the Eastern Front, Model showed no objection to the treatment of civilians by the SS in the areas under his command, and oversaw several anti-partisan operations, mostly while commanding Ninth Army.
Mens han var på Østfronten, udviste Model ingen betænkeligheder over behandlingen af civile fra SS' side i områder under hans kommando og ledede adskillige anti-partisanoperationer, fortrinsvis mens han ledede 9. armé.