Albert Kesselring

German Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall during World War II (1885–1960)

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Lived 1885–1960, aged 75Germany

Germany WritersWriter / Author

Wikipedia
49 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1885–1960
Aged 75
Awards
4
recognised works

Summary

Updated 2026-06-21

A Luftwaffe field marshal who commanded German forces across three theatres in World War II, then stood trial for ordering the execution of 335 Italian civilians in the Ardeatine massacre and reprisals against resistance fighters.

Biography

About

Kesselring joined the Bavarian Army as an artillery officer in 1904 and served through World War I on both fronts, reaching the Army Staff without attending the War Academy. Discharged from the Reichswehr in 1933, he moved to the Ministry of Aviation and helped rebuild German air power, serving as Luftwaffe chief of staff from 1936 to 1938. During World War II he commanded air operations in Poland, France, Britain, and the Soviet Union before becoming Wehrmacht Commander-in-Chief South, overseeing the Mediterranean theatre and leading a defensive campaign in Italy until injured in October 1944…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Albert Kesselring

Albert Kesselring

said4 Feb 1946

A soldier's first duty is to obey, otherwise you might as well do away with soldiering.

— To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004 - Page 322.

Albert Kesselring

said4 Feb 1946

War is possible only if you have a lot of enemies. If all the enemies get together and form one front - if you cut down the number of enemies - there would be no war.

— To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.

Albert Kesselring

said4 Feb 1946