I call on God Almighty to have mercy on the German people. More than two million German soldiers went to their death for the fatherland before me. I follow now my sons - all for Germany.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker prays for mercy on his people and joins his dead sons.
- In plain terms
- He asks God to forgive Germany and says he dies with his sons.
- What can you take from it?
- Family and nation are linked even in death.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we honor the dead?
- What is duty to country?
Another view
National loyalty does not excuse past atrocities or crimes.
More from Wilhelm Keitel
I am a soldier and I worked for the kaiser, under Ebert, Hindenburg, and Hitler, all the same way, for the past forty-four years.
Permalink to quote #2 I believe German soldiers are good and decent, and if they did anything wrong it was because of military necessity.
Permalink to quote #3 Hitler gave us orders - and we believed in him. Then he commits suicide and leaves us to bear the guilt. He should have remained alive to bear his share.
Permalink to quote #4
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