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Wilhelm Keitel was born in 1901 and joined the German cavalry as his initial career choice.
Answer: False
Wilhelm Keitel was born in 1882, not 1901. His initial military career choice was not cavalry; he joined a field artillery regiment in 1901.
During World War I, Wilhelm Keitel served primarily on the Eastern Front and was never wounded.
Answer: False
Keitel served on the Western Front during World War I and sustained a severe wound. He was not primarily stationed on the Eastern Front during that conflict.
The "Truppenamt" served as the de facto German General Staff during the Nazi regime.
Answer: False
The "Truppenamt" served as the de facto German General Staff during the Weimar Republic, not the Nazi regime. Keitel served in this office, which was established to circumvent the Treaty of Versailles.
When was Wilhelm Keitel born?
Answer: September 22, 1882
Wilhelm Keitel was born on September 22, 1882.
What initially prevented Keitel from pursuing his planned career of taking over his family's estates?
Answer: His father's refusal to retire.
Keitel's initial plan to take over his family's estates was prevented by his father's refusal to retire, leading him to pursue a military career instead.
In which branch of the Prussian Army did Keitel begin his military career in 1901?
Answer: Field Artillery
Keitel began his military career in 1901 in the Prussian Army's Field Artillery branch.
What significant event occurred during Keitel's service in World War I?
Answer: He was severely wounded while fighting on the Western Front.
During World War I, Keitel was severely wounded while serving on the Western Front.
What was the "Truppenamt" during the Weimar Republic?
Answer: The disguised German General Staff, which Keitel served in.
The "Truppenamt" (Troop Office) served as the de facto German General Staff during the Weimar Republic, established to circumvent the Treaty of Versailles' prohibition on a general staff. Keitel served within this office.
Wilhelm Keitel was a prominent figure in the German military primarily known for his strategic battlefield command during World War II.
Answer: False
While a prominent figure, Keitel was widely criticized by peers for lacking strategic acumen and was often seen as subservient to Hitler, earning him the nickname 'Lakeitel'.
Wilhelm Keitel was appointed Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) in 1935, shortly after its creation.
Answer: False
Keitel was appointed chief of the Armed Forces Office (Wehrmachtsamt) in 1935. The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) was established later, in 1938, and Keitel became its chief at that time.
Keitel played a crucial role in the Blomberg-Fritsch affair by providing evidence that led to the resignation of War Minister Werner von Blomberg.
Answer: True
Keitel forwarded evidence concerning War Minister Werner von Blomberg's wife to Hermann Göring. This information was instrumental in forcing Blomberg's resignation, which allowed Hitler to consolidate military command.
As Chief of the OKW, Wilhelm Keitel held the official title of Reich Minister for Armed Forces.
Answer: False
Although granted cabinet-level rank, Keitel did not officially hold the title of Reich Minister for Armed Forces. He served as Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW).
Keitel's appointment as Chief of the OKW was widely anticipated and supported by the existing German General Staff due to his recognized strategic brilliance.
Answer: False
Keitel's appointment as Chief of the OKW surprised many, including the General Staff, as he was perceived more as an administrator than a strategic leader. His promotion was largely due to his loyalty to Hitler.
Wilhelm Keitel was a member of the Council of Ministers for the Defense of the Reich, which acted as a war cabinet.
Answer: True
Indeed, Keitel was appointed as one of the six members of the Council of Ministers for the Defense of the Reich in August 1939, functioning as a war cabinet.
Wilhelm Keitel was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in 1938, shortly after becoming Chief of the OKW.
Answer: False
Keitel was promoted to Field Marshal on July 19, 1940, following the successful conclusion of the Battle of France, not in 1938 shortly after becoming Chief of the OKW.
The "Committee of Three," including Keitel, was highly effective in centralizing control of the war economy and home front.
Answer: False
The "Committee of Three," comprising Keitel, Hans Lammers, and Martin Bormann, was intended to centralize control but proved largely ineffective due to internal rivalries and Hitler's ultimate authority.
Who was Wilhelm Keitel?
Answer: The chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) and a German Field Marshal.
Wilhelm Keitel was a German Field Marshal and the Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the high command of Nazi Germany's armed forces, throughout World War II. He was instrumental in executing Hitler's military directives.
What was Keitel's primary responsibility as Chief of the OKW?
Answer: Executing Adolf Hitler's military and political directives.
As Chief of the OKW, Keitel's primary responsibility was to execute Adolf Hitler's military and political directives, coordinating the German army, navy, and air force under Hitler's ultimate command.
How did Hitler restructure the German military command in 1938, and what was Keitel's new role?
Answer: He abolished the Ministry of War, created the OKW, and appointed Keitel its chief.
In 1938, Hitler abolished the Ministry of War and created the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces. Keitel was appointed its Chief, consolidating military authority under Hitler.
What was Keitel's role in the Blomberg-Fritsch affair?
Answer: He forwarded evidence used to force War Minister Blomberg's resignation.
Keitel forwarded evidence used to force the resignation of War Minister Werner von Blomberg, thereby facilitating Hitler's consolidation of military power and Keitel's own rise.
Keitel was promoted to Field Marshal shortly after which major military event?
Answer: The successful conclusion of the Battle of France
Keitel was promoted to Field Marshal on July 19, 1940, shortly after the successful conclusion of the Battle of France.
What was the primary function of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) under Keitel's leadership?
Answer: To coordinate the German army, navy, and air force under Hitler's command.
Under Keitel's leadership, the OKW served as the primary body for coordinating the German army, navy, and air force, executing Hitler's military and strategic directives.
Keitel dismissed concerns about fuel and rubber supplies raised by Georg Thomas regarding the invasion of the Soviet Union.
Answer: True
Yes, Keitel dismissed Georg Thomas's concerns about logistical issues such as fuel and rubber supplies for Operation Barbarossa, ensuring that reports presented to Hitler maintained a favorable outlook for the invasion.
Keitel had no knowledge of the criminal nature of the invasion of Poland and the subsequent atrocities.
Answer: False
This statement is false. Keitel possessed full knowledge of the criminal nature of the invasion of Poland, which included plans for mass arrests, population transfers, and murder. He did not contest the regime's actions or the role of the Einsatzgruppen in the killings.
Keitel began issuing criminal orders in April 1941, which broadly permitted the execution of Jews and civilians without fear of prosecution for perpetrators.
Answer: True
Indeed, starting in April 1941, Keitel issued a series of criminal orders that broadly permitted the execution of Jews and civilians, thereby facilitating widespread war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Keitel supported the application of the Geneva Conventions to Soviet prisoners of war, arguing for their humane treatment.
Answer: False
This is false. Keitel rebuffed military lawyers who advocated for applying the Geneva Conventions to Soviet prisoners of war, dismissing such concerns as relics of "wars of chivalry."
Keitel's September 1941 order on the Eastern Front encouraged the use of "unusual severity" against resistance, including executions.
Answer: True
This is accurate. Keitel's September 1941 order directed commanders to employ "unusual severity" against resistance on the Eastern Front, including the execution of civilians, and specifically targeted Jews as "carriers of Bolshevism."
The "Night and Fog" Decree, signed by Keitel, aimed to make perceived offenders in occupied territories disappear without a trace.
Answer: True
This is correct. The "Night and Fog" (Nacht und Nebel) Decree, signed by Keitel, was designed to suppress resistance by making offenders vanish without a trace, fostering an atmosphere of terror.
The "Commando Order," signed by Keitel, authorized the immediate killing of Allied commandos upon capture, even if they had surrendered.
Answer: True
This is accurate. The "Commando Order," signed by Keitel in October 1942, mandated the immediate killing of captured Allied commandos and saboteurs, regardless of their status or surrender, violating established laws of war.
Keitel formally endorsed the deportation of Jews for extermination in September 1942, acknowledging potential difficulties.
Answer: True
This is accurate. Keitel formally endorsed the deportations, stating they "must be carried out thoroughly and its consequences endured," demonstrating his complicity in the Holocaust.
What action did Keitel take regarding concerns about supplies for Operation Barbarossa?
Answer: He dismissed Georg Thomas's concerns to ensure a favorable outlook for Hitler.
Keitel dismissed Georg Thomas's concerns regarding fuel and rubber supplies for Operation Barbarossa, ensuring that reports presented to Hitler offered a favorable outlook for the invasion.
What was the purpose of the "Night and Fog" (Nacht und Nebel) Decree, signed by Keitel?
Answer: To suppress resistance in occupied territories by making offenders disappear without a trace.
The "Night and Fog" Decree aimed to suppress resistance in occupied territories by making perceived offenders disappear without a trace, thereby creating an atmosphere of terror and silencing dissent.
The "Commando Order," signed by Keitel, instructed German forces to:
Answer: Kill Allied commandos immediately upon capture, even if surrendered.
The "Commando Order" instructed German forces to kill Allied commandos and saboteurs immediately upon capture, even if they had surrendered, violating international laws of war.
What was Keitel's stance on the deportation of Jews for extermination, as stated in September 1942?
Answer: He formally endorsed the deportations, acknowledging potential difficulties.
In September 1942, Keitel formally endorsed the deportations of Jews, stating they "must be carried out thoroughly and its consequences endured," demonstrating his complicity in the Holocaust.
Which of the following orders, signed by Keitel, directed the immediate killing of captured Allied commandos?
Answer: The Commando Order
The "Commando Order," signed by Keitel in October 1942, directed the immediate killing of captured Allied commandos and saboteurs.
Following the 20 July plot, Keitel served on a committee that protected implicated officers from prosecution.
Answer: False
Contrary to this, Keitel served on the army's "court of honour" after the 20 July plot, which was responsible for handing over implicated officers to the People's Court for prosecution, leading to numerous arrests and executions.
Keitel's primary defense at the Nuremberg trials was that he was a victim of circumstance and had no direct involvement in war crimes.
Answer: False
Keitel's primary defense was not that he was a victim of circumstance, but rather that he was merely following orders (the Führerprinzip) and was bound by his oath of loyalty to Hitler. He did, however, attempt to downplay his direct involvement.
The Nuremberg Military Tribunal accepted Keitel's defense of "following orders" as a valid excuse for his actions.
Answer: False
No, the Nuremberg Military Tribunal rejected Keitel's "following orders" defense. They determined that his crimes were too egregious and that he had consciously and ruthlessly carried out shocking acts without military justification.
The International Military Tribunal (IMT) judgment noted that Keitel issued several illegal orders entirely on his own authority.
Answer: True
This is accurate. The IMT judgment specifically highlighted that Keitel issued several illegal orders independently, which contradicted his defense of merely executing Hitler's commands.
What was the ultimate fate of Wilhelm Keitel following World War II?
Answer: He was executed by hanging after being convicted at the Nuremberg trials.
Following World War II, Wilhelm Keitel was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials and was executed by hanging in 1946.
On which charges was Wilhelm Keitel convicted at the Nuremberg trials?
Answer: Crimes against peace, aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Wilhelm Keitel was convicted on all four counts of the indictment: conspiracy to commit crimes against peace, crimes against aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
What was Keitel's primary defense strategy during his trial at Nuremberg?
Answer: Arguing that he was merely following orders (Führerprinzip).
Keitel's primary defense strategy was based on the "Führerprinzip," arguing that he was bound by duty and his oath of loyalty to follow Hitler's orders without question.
Did the Nuremberg Tribunal accept Keitel's "following orders" defense?
Answer: No, they rejected it, finding his crimes too egregious.
No, the Nuremberg Tribunal rejected Keitel's "following orders" defense, finding his actions too egregious to be mitigated by the principle of superior orders.
What did the IMT judgment specifically note about Keitel's issuance of illegal orders?
Answer: That he issued several illegal orders on his own authority.
The IMT judgment noted that Keitel issued several illegal orders on his own authority, undermining his defense that he was merely acting under direct orders from Hitler.
Keitel's defense at Nuremberg heavily relied on the concept of the "Führerprinzip," which emphasized:
Answer: Absolute obedience to the leader, Adolf Hitler.
The "Führerprinzip" emphasized absolute obedience to the leader, Adolf Hitler, forming the core of Keitel's defense strategy at the Nuremberg trials.
Keitel's participation in the army's "Court of Honour" after the 20 July plot led to:
Answer: The handover of implicated officers to the People's Court for prosecution.
Keitel's participation in the "Court of Honour" led to the handover of implicated officers to the People's Court for prosecution, resulting in numerous arrests and executions.
Wilhelm Keitel signed the German Instrument of Surrender on May 8, 1945, in Nuremberg.
Answer: False
Wilhelm Keitel signed the German Instrument of Surrender on May 8, 1945, but this occurred in Karlshorst, a suburb of Berlin, not in Nuremberg where he was later tried.
Keitel requested execution by firing squad to be treated as a soldier, but this request was granted by the Allies.
Answer: False
Keitel's request for execution by firing squad was denied by the Allies. This decision was made to underscore the criminal nature of his actions and to avoid treating him as a soldier merely carrying out military duties.
Wilhelm Keitel's ashes were scattered in the Isar River to prevent his grave from becoming a pilgrimage site.
Answer: True
This is accurate. Following his execution, Keitel's remains were cremated, and his ashes were scattered into the Isar River to prevent his grave from becoming a site of pilgrimage.
Keitel's memoirs were published under the title "The Memoirs of Field-Marshal Keitel" after his death.
Answer: False
Keitel's memoirs were published before his execution. They were initially titled "In the Service of the Reich" and later re-edited and published as "The Memoirs of Field-Marshal Keitel."
Keitel signed the German Instrument of Surrender in the city where he was later tried and sentenced at Nuremberg.
Answer: False
Keitel signed the German Instrument of Surrender in Karlshorst, Berlin, on May 8, 1945. He was later tried and sentenced at Nuremberg, but the surrender signing did not occur there.
Why did the Allies deny Keitel's request for execution by firing squad?
Answer: To underscore the criminal nature of his actions, not treat him as a soldier.
The Allies denied Keitel's request for execution by firing squad to underscore the criminal nature of his actions and to avoid treating him as a soldier rather than a war criminal.
Who performed Wilhelm Keitel's execution?
Answer: U.S. Army Master Sergeant John C. Woods.
Wilhelm Keitel's execution by hanging was performed by U.S. Army Master Sergeant John C. Woods.
What happened to the remains of Keitel and other executed Nazi leaders after their execution?
Answer: They were cremated, and their ashes were scattered into the Isar River.
After their execution, the remains of Keitel and other condemned Nazi leaders were cremated, and their ashes were scattered into the Isar River to prevent their graves from becoming pilgrimage sites.
What was the consequence of Keitel signing the German Instrument of Surrender?
Answer: It formally concluded Germany's unconditional surrender in World War II.
Signing the German Instrument of Surrender on May 8, 1945, formally concluded Germany's unconditional surrender in World War II, marking the end of the conflict in Europe.
Keitel's nickname, "Lakeitel," was a term of respect given by his colleagues for his loyal service to the German state.
Answer: False
The nickname 'Lakeitel' was not a term of respect but a derogatory pun derived from the German word 'Lakai' (lackey or sycophant), reflecting his perceived subservience to Adolf Hitler rather than loyal service.
Wilhelm Keitel was the uncle of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project.
Answer: False
Wilhelm Keitel was not the uncle of J. Robert Oppenheimer himself, but rather the uncle of Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, J. Robert Oppenheimer's wife. Kitty Oppenheimer was the daughter of a wealthy Viennese family and married the physicist who directed the Manhattan Project.
What nickname did Wilhelm Keitel acquire among his colleagues, and what did it signify?
Answer: "Lakeitel," a pun on "lackey," reflecting his subservience to Hitler.
Keitel acquired the nickname "Lakeitel," a derogatory pun on "lackey" or "sycophant," signifying his perceived subservience to Adolf Hitler rather than independent strategic thought.
Which of the following best describes the general perception of Keitel's capabilities among his military peers?
Answer: He was widely criticized for his perceived lack of intellect and seen as Hitler's "yes-man."
Keitel was widely perceived by his peers as lacking strategic intellect and was often criticized as Hitler's "yes-man," earning him derogatory nicknames like "Lakeitel."
Wilhelm Keitel was the uncle of which notable figure's wife?
Answer: J. Robert Oppenheimer
Wilhelm Keitel was the uncle of Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, the wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project.