Albert Kesselring citáty
Albert Kesselring
Datum narození: 30. listopad 1885
Datum úmrtí: 16. červenec 1960
Generalfeldmarschall Albert Konrad Kesselring byl vysoký německý důstojník Luftwaffe a Heereswaffe, který se ve druhé světové válce proslavil při bojích o Středomoří. Často byl označován přezdívkou Usměvavý Albert. Za jeho vrcholný výkon je považována obrana Apeninského poloostrova a zejména způsob, jakým se vypořádal se spojeneckým vyloděním u Anzia.
Po skončení války byl shledán vinným z válečných zločinů a odsouzen k smrti. Rozsudek byl posléze zmírněn na doživotí a i na nátlak veřejného mínění byl nakonec Kesselring roku 1952 propuštěn ze zdravotních důvodů. Jako jeden z mála německých polních maršálů vydal paměti.
Citáty Albert Kesselring
„Understanding of other nations does not mean a feeling against your own country. That's the whole trouble with Germans. They can see only their own country, the local church steeples only. If only German youth could go abroad, and youth from other countries come to Germany. You always have to have criticism if you wish to become better.“
To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.
„It is the duty of all troops and police in my command to adopt the severest measures. Every act of violence committed by partisans must be punished immediately. Reports submitted must also give details of countermeasures taken. Wherever there is evidence of a considerable number of partisan groups a proportion of the male population of the area will be arrested, and in the event of an act of violence being committed these men will be shot.“
June 20, 1944. Quoted in "Mussolini: The Last 600 Days of Il Duce" - Page 131 - by Ray Moseley - History - 2004.
„A soldier's first duty is to obey, otherwise you might as well do away with soldiering.“
To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004 - Page 322.
„A military leader often faces a situation he has to deal with, but because it is his duty, no court can try him.“
To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.
„The partisan situation in the Italian theater, particularly central Italy, has deteriorated to such an extent that it constitutes a serious danger to troops, supply lines, war industry and economic potential. The fight against the partisans must be carried out with all means at our disposal and with utmost severity. I will protect any commander who exceeds our usual restraint in the choice of methods in executing one's orders is better than failure or neglect to act.“
June 17, 1944. Quoted in "Mussolini: The Last 600 Days of Il Duce" - Page 131 - by Ray Moseley - History - 2004.
„I have always had plenty of friends, and now at age sixty, I face four walls as a common prisoner.“
To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.
„War is possible only if you have a lot of enemies. If all the enemies get together and form one front - if you cut down the number of enemies - there would be no war.“
To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.
„Allied air power was the greatest single reason for the German defeat.“
Quoted in "Tail-End Charlies: The Last Battles of the Bomber War, 1944-45" - by John Nichol, Tony Rennell - History - 2006.
