Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist was a German Generalfeldmarschall of the Wehrmacht during World War II. Born into the Prussian noble family von Kleist, Kleist entered the Prussian Army in 1900 and commanded a cavalry squadron during World War I. Kleist joined the Reichswehr of inter-war Germany before being discharged in 1938.
"The Russians were five times superior to us poor but brave Germans, both in numbers and in the superiority of their equipment. My immediate commander was Hitler himself. Unfortunately, Hitlers advice in those critical periods was invariably lousy."
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist"Recently I was discharged from the German army while in this prison and was informed that I am on the so-called war criminal list number seven. I havent the faintest idea of what war crime I could have committed. The main thing is that I have a clear conscience."
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist"Ewald von Kleist was an officer and a gentleman in an era when such characteristics were liabilities."
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist"It is interesting but it was tragic. If you receive a military order you must obey. That is where the big difference between a military and a political order comes in. One can sabotage a political order but to disobey a military command is treason."
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist
