Wilhelm Keitel Biography

Birth of Wilhelm Keitel

Appointed Captain in the General Staff

Appointed Oberst

Appointed Commander for Military District III in Potsdam

Appointed Major General

Appointed Chief of Staff

Appointed Head of the Wehrmacht Office

Appointed General

Believes Germany is not strong enough to break through the Czech fortifications

The OKW coordinates military activities but Keitels sway over the three branches of service (army, air force, and navy) was rather limited, each its own High Command, known as Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH, army), Oberkommando der Marine (OKL). After von Blomberg resigned in the course of the Blomberg-Fritsch Affair the Armed Forces High Command (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht or OKW) under Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel is created

The OKW coordinates military activities but Keitels sway over the three branches of service (army, air force, and navy) was rather limited, each its own High Command, known as Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH, army), Oberkommando der Marine (OKL). After von Blomberg resigned in the course of the Blomberg-Fritsch Affair the Armed Forces High Command (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht or OKW) under Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel is created

Appointed Chief of the High Command of the Armed forces, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht

Appointed Chief of the High Command of the Armed forces, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht

Keitel oversaw military arrangements as German occupation of the designated Sudeten zones was completed.

Appointed Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Signs the Armistice Treaty with France after disctating its terms

Signs jointly with Hitler the directive for authorizing Operation Sea Lion

Hitler orders Keitel to make it appear as if Germany is invading Britain

Signs an order defending German troops from any crimes against the Russian population

Hitler orders Keitel to build defences in north west France with "fanatical energy"

Member of "court of honour" sentencing officers to death

Germany accepts the formal military surrender ending the European war.

The Berlin surrender instrument confirms and ratifies Germany's unconditional capitulation.

Signs act of military surrender to the Allies

Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel signs the final German Instrument of Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time

The International Military Tribunal served the indictment, Charter and notice of rights on him at Nuremberg.

He entered a plea of not guilty before the International Military Tribunal.