In the Service of the Reich

by Wilhelm Keitel

Written in the weeks before Keitel, the Chief of the German High Command, was hanged at Nuremberg, these memoirs convey the destructive moral confusion rampant in Hitler's Germany

Genres: History, World War II, Military Fiction, Autobiography

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1961

Reviews

[K De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilhelm Keitel's "The Memoirs of Field-Marshal Wilhelm Keitel" is about the life and, especially, his role in the Wehrmacht during World War Two. He was the Chief of the German Army from 1938- 1945. His signature was on some of the most war directives by Adolf Hitler, including the Night and Fog order that ordered German military to ignore Geneva Rights Convention on prisoners of war during commando raids and the infamous Commissar decree to murder Russian Commissars in war zones as well as in occupation zones. He has insights into the command chaos that Hitler wanted at the highest levels for his ultimate fear of having a too powerful general as a rival.

Keitel writings of the fact that his "command" was in signing orders to maintain the smooth functioning of the Wehrmacht. He had no real front line command authority and had to work with Hitler's tirades about various field commanders included Field Marshal Manstein and Generals Guderian, etc. Although he complains that everybody had criticism of his role in the military command structure but nobody else wanted to take the thankless task of being in a managerial role on a daily basis with Hitler.

There are insights into the last days of the Third Reich which is revealing in the ways of subordinate commanders painted "rosy" battle field situation reports to Hitler and on the assassination attempt in July, 1944.

However this first and only draft was written in prison before his conviction and execution by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, Germany. It is recommended for gaining insight into the military aspects of the OKW and Keitel's role in the running of the Wehrmacht during World War Two.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in the shadow of the hangman's noose and he knew it. Keitel frequently claims that Hitler kept him in the dark, obscured the political situation, did not let him make decisions, and duped him. He further adds that the Allies had several important opportunities before the fall of France in 1940 to attack Germany but failed to do so. Keitel defends his deputy General Alfred Jodl, who would also be hanged at Nuremberg. The last chapter was most interesting to me. He was in la-la land as the last days of the war wound down. Walter Gorlitz's introduction paints Keitel as an extremely talented staff officer and hard worker, a portrait quite at odds with the standing view that the Field Marshal (a title he claims he did not want or deserve) was, as Hitler described him, not intellectually fit to be a cinema usher. There are some good nuggets, such as Keitel's account of his discussion with French General Huntziger when the former signed the surrender document in 1940.

[Larmie Fahrendorff · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative testament of Hitler's war strategy.

The memoirs of Keitel provide the reader with a window into Hitler's charismatic and domineering personality, with certain aspects of genius and perhaps more of a madman. The military leaders surrounding Hitler, Keitel among them, dared not question his war plans as they spiraled into treachery. Keitel's reasoning (and too many others) was that a soldier did not question orders,he just carried them out. His writing indicated to me that he truly believed in Hitler. To the very end he defended "his leader".

[Robert Drumheller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and at the same time, very frightening.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The internal bickering and politics discussed in this book are indicative as to why the Third Reich was defeated. I was glad to read the account of one of the participants although I am aware that the looming shadow of "war criminal" probably limited what could be said.

[Donald Pryde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

Was he or was he not a bad man. Can you get away with blaming others and say you were just following orders?