Wilhelm Keitel was a career officer in the German military who rose from a field artillery cadet in 1901 to become the chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.
Early Military Career
Born in 1882 in Helmscherode, Keitel was the son of a landowner. After abandoning plans to manage family estates, he joined a field artillery regiment in Wolfenbüttel in 1901. Following the war, he contributed to the organization of paramilitary Freikorps units before transitioning to the Truppenamt in 1924, which served as a covert general staff for the Weimar Republic.
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Keitel's professional trajectory accelerated significantly in 1935 when he was promoted to major general and appointed head of the Armed Forces Office. In 1938, after the resignation of War Minister Werner von Blomberg, Hitler consolidated military control by replacing the ministry with the OKW and appointing Keitel as its chief. This role granted him cabinet-level rank, despite the skepticism of many within the German military hierarchy who viewed him as intellectually limited.
The Yes-Man Reputation
Throughout his time as chief of the OKW, Keitel faced frequent ridicule from his peers, who labeled him a sycophant and a loyal subordinate to Hitler. His reputation for mindless compliance was underscored by derogatory nicknames such as 'Lakeitel' and 'Nickgeselle'. Despite his position, many senior officers bypassed him to communicate directly with Hitler, regarding Keitel as little more than a mouthpiece for the dictator's decisions.
Criminal Responsibility and Trial
As the war progressed, Keitel signed numerous criminal orders and directives that facilitated widespread atrocities. Following the conclusion of the war, he was indicted by the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg. The tribunal found him guilty of criminal conspiracy, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging in 1946, with his remains subsequently buried at Wenzbach.
Fast facts
- Born: 1882, Helmscherode
- Died: 1946, Nuremberg Court Prison
- Rank: General field marshal
- Religion: Catholicism
- Height: 1.85 metres
- Spouse: Lisa Fontaine
- Awards: Golden Party Badge (1939)
- Nationality: Germany
Questions readers ask
What was Keitel's role in the German military?
He served as the chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, the high command of the armed forces, from 1938 until 1946.
Why was Keitel nicknamed Lakeitel?
His colleagues used the term, a pun combining 'Lakai' (lackey) and his surname, to mock his subservient attitude toward Hitler.
Achievements
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Worked as politician, military officer and military personnel
