It was the Hitler Offensive. It was brilliantly planned by Hitler but poorly executed by the generals. It was not Rundstedt who was at fault so much as Dietrich and his Sixth Army, which was not capable. Dietrich was no army commander and should never have been made one. This Sixth Army was an all-motorized panzer force.

That's your reward for all that you have done in these past five years!? I'd rather be shot than obey that order!

Dietrich quite openly criticised measures taken by the Fuhrer. He complains that the Fuhrer does not give his military staff a sufficiently free hand and that …

He (Hitler) knew even less than the rest. He allowed himself to be taken for a sucker by everyone.

He was not only the most brilliant strategist of all our generals, but he had a good political sense. A man of that quality was too difficult for Hitler to swa…

The statesman's duty is to bridge the gap between his nation's experience and his vision.

One always abandons something in retreat. Look at Napoleon at the Beresina! He abandoned his whole army.