On This Day

Wilhelm Keitel

field marshal

Born: Died: German

Wilhelm Bodewin Johann Gustav Keitel was a German field marshal who held office as chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the high command of Nazi Germany's armed forces, during World War II. He signed a number of criminal orders and directives that led to numerous war crimes.

Keitel's rise to the Wehrmacht high command began with his appointment as the head of the Armed Forces Office at the Reich Ministry of War in 1935. Having taken command of the Wehrmacht in 1938, Adolf Hitler replaced the ministry with the OKW and Keitel became its chief. He was reviled among his military colleagues as Hitler's habitual "yes-man".

After the war, Keitel was indicted by the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg as one of the "major war criminals". He was found guilty on all counts of the indictment: crimes against humanity, crimes against peace, criminal conspiracy, and war crimes. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging in 1946.

Notable For

German field marshal

Wilhelm Keitel's Historical Timeline

  1. Wilhelm Keitel is born

    Wilhelm Keitel, German field marshal, known for german field marshal, was born on 1882-09-22.

  2. V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany's General Wilhelm Keitel formally signs unconditional surrender to th

    V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany's General Wilhelm Keitel formally signs unconditional surrender to the Allies represented by the United States, the UK, France and the Soviet Union in Berlin, Germany signs an unconditional surrender

Associated Historical Events

birth

Wilhelm Keitel is born

Wilhelm Keitel, German field marshal, known for german field marshal, was born on 1882-09-22.

V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany's General Wilhelm Keitel formally signs unconditional surrender to th

V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany's General Wilhelm Keitel formally signs unconditional surrender to the Allies represented by the United States, the UK, France and the Soviet Union in Berlin, Germany signs an unconditional surrender

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Wilhelm Keitel born?
Wilhelm Keitel was born on 1882-09-22 (German).
What is Wilhelm Keitel known for?
German field marshal
What historical events involved Wilhelm Keitel?
Wilhelm Keitel was involved in 2 recorded historical events, including Wilhelm Keitel is born, V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany's General Wilhelm Keitel formally signs unconditional surrender to th.
When did Wilhelm Keitel die?
Wilhelm Keitel died on 1946-01-01.

Related Years

18821945