"The Führer has ordered that the enemy employs in partisan warfare Communist-trained fanatics who do not hesitate to commit any atrocity. It is more than ever a question of life and death. This fight has nothing to do with soldierly gallantry or principles of the Geneva Convention. If the fight against the partisans in the East, as well as in the Balkans, is not waged with the most brutal means, we will shortly reach the point where the available forces are insufficient to control the area. It is therefore not only justified, but it is the duty of the troops to use all means without restriction, even against women and children, so long as it ensures success. Any consideration for the partisans is a crime against the German people."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Executed peoplePeople indicted for war crimesPeople of Nazi GermanyMilitary leaders from GermanyMilitary leaders of World War II
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
December 16, 1942. Quoted in "The Second World War: A Complete History" - Page 386 - by Sir Martin Gilbert - History - 2004
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Keitel
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Related Quotes
"Keitel, the weak and willing tool, delivered the armed forces, the instrument of aggression, over to the party and di…"
"I am a soldier and I worked for the kaiser, under Ebert, Hindenburg, and Hitler, all the same way, for the past 44 ye…"
"I believe German soldiers are good and decent, and if they did anything wrong it was because of military necessity."
"I call on God Almighty to have mercy on the German people. More than two million German soldiers went to their death …"
"Hitler gave us orders - and we believed in him. Then he commits suicide and leaves us to bear the guilt. He should ha…"
"It isn't right to be obedient only when things go well; it is much harder to be a good, obedient soldier when things …"
"Death by hanging. That, at least, I thought I would be spared."
"Why did the generals who have been so ready to term me a complaisant and incompetent yes-man fail to secure my remova…"
"It is tragic to have to realize that the best I had to give as a soldier, obedience, and loyalty, was exploited for p…"
"If you want my own plain opinion about Keitel's orders, I will tell you. They were the orders of a stupid follower of…"