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Albert Kesselring

German Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall during World War II (1885-1960) · Germany · Writers · Died at 74

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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.

Historical FiguresJournalistStand UpGermanyEurope20th Century

A life in dates

1960Died16 July 19601946“A soldier's first duty is to obey, otherwise you might as well do away with soldiering.”In their words4 February 1946To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004 - Page 322.

“I have always had plenty of friends, and now at age sixty, I face four walls as a common prisoner.”In their words4 February 1946To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.

“A military leader often faces a situation he has to deal with, but because it is his duty, no court can try him.”In their words4 February 1946To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.

“Understanding of other nations does not mean a feeling against your own country. That's the whole trouble with Germans.”In their words4 February 1946To Leon Goldensohn, February 4, 1946, from "The Nuremberg Interviews" by Leon Goldensohn, Robert Gellately - History - 2004.

1944“Allied air power was the greatest single reason for the German defeat.”In their wordsQuoted in "Tail-End Charlies: The Last Battles of the Bomber War, 1944-45" - by John Nichol, Tony Rennell - History - 2006.

“It is the duty of all troops and police in my command to adopt the severest measures. Every act of violence committed by partisans must be punished immediately.”In their wordsJune 20, 1944. Quoted in "Mussolini: The Last 600 Days of Il Duce" - Page 131 - by Ray Moseley - History - 2004.

1885Born30 November 1885

Also in Deutsch

Photos 12

Kesselring at the controls of a Siebel Fh 104 aircraftKesselring at the controls of a Siebel Fh 104 aircraftKesselring (left), with his chief of staff, Wilhelm Speidel (centre), and Hermann Göring (right) - 1940Kesselring (left), with his chief of staff, Wilhelm Speidel (centre), and Hermann Göring (right) - 1940Kesselring in 1940Kesselring in 1940North Africa, February 1942. Kesselring (right) meets with Erwin Rommel (left) and Fritz Bayerlein of the Afrika Korps.North Africa, February 1942. Kesselring (right) meets with Erwin Rommel (left) and Fritz Bayerlein of the Afrika Korps.Battle of GazalaBattle of GazalaThe Liberty ship SS Robert Rowan explodes spectacularly - but without loss of life - after being hit by a German bomber off Gela, Sicily, on 11 July 1943The Liberty ship SS Robert Rowan explodes spectacularly - but without loss of life - after being hit by a German bomber off Gela, Sicily, on 11 July 1943A German anti-tank gun near SalernoA German anti-tank gun near Salerno

In their own words 7

,
Albert Kesselring
,
7 statements, newest first

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

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

  2. 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.

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

  3. I have always had plenty of friends, and now at age sixty, I face four walls as a common prisoner.

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

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Awards

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
Knight II Class of the Albrecht Order
Knight grand cross of the order of the crown of Italy
Africa cuffband

About this person

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. Convicted after the war of war crimes for ordering the murder of 335 Italian civilians in the Ardeatine massacre and inciting troops to kill civilians in reprisals against the Italian resistance, he was sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment. Released in 1952 after a political campaign citing health grounds, he published his memoirs in 1953 and accepted honorary presidencies of three veterans' organisations before his death in 1960.

Country
Germany
Category
Writers
Type
Writer / Author
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1885 to 1960 · aged 74

In common with Albert

Rudolf WitzigBoth received Africa cuffbandHans CramerBoth received Africa cuffbandMaximilian von HerffBoth received Africa cuffband

Writers from Germany 3

Traudl Junge57.8Franz Halder57.7Joachim Fest58.0

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