The Memoirs of Field Marshal Keitel

The Memoirs of Field Marshal Keitel

By Wilhelm Keitel | Edited, introduced and supplied with an epilogue by Walter Görlitz | Translated by David Irving | Hardcover edition

Historical Significance

Wilhelm Keitel served as Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces (OKW) from 1938 until 1945 and was present at virtually every major military conference of the war. He wrote these memoirs in his Nuremberg cell before his execution, providing a first-hand account of the German supreme command from within.

Scope and Content

The memoirs document Keitel's perspective on the major strategic decisions of the war—the campaigns against Poland, France and the Soviet Union, and the final defence of Germany. Written without access to documents and while facing death, Keitel recorded his recollections of conferences with Hitler and other military leaders.

Editorial and translation credits

Walter Görlitz edited the memoirs and supplied the introduction and epilogue. David Irving translated the work into English. This edition preserves the editorial notes and documentary appendices.

Readers and uses

An important primary source for Wehrmacht command studies, Nuremberg trial research and scholarship on German strategic decision-making.

Edition Details

Hardcover binding. Published by Focal Point Publications.