The activity of the Fe2O3-supported 0.5-5.0% transition group metal catalysts in the water gas shift reaction ((3:6:91 v/v) CO-O-2-He, H2O/CO = 1.7 by motes, -80-500 degrees C) fell in the descending order. Ru similar to Rh > Pt > Ir > Pd > Au. in the Ru and the Au catalysts, supports suppressed the activity in the following orders: (Na, K)/Fe2O3 > Fe2O3 > Cr2O3 > Al2O3 congruent to SiO2 congruent to 0 (inactive catalysts) and (Na, K)/Fe2O3 > Fe2O3 > TiO2 > Al2O3, resp. Na and K (3.6% K) enhanced the activity to yield 50-80% CO conversions. Active centers included Ru-o and redox Fe2+-Fe3+ of magnetite Fe3O4- Support's redn., 3Fe(2)O(3) + CO = 2 Fe3O4 + CO2, is prerequiste for Ru/K/Fe2O3 to be active. Similarly, dehydroxylation of the K-coated Fe2O3 surface, 2Fe-OH -> Fe3+- O + Fe2+ + V-o + H2O, is essential for Au/K/Fe2O3 to be active.