Wilhelm Keitel Biography and Timeline

Birth of Wilhelm Keitel

Birth of Wilhelm Keitel

Captain

Appointed Captain in the General Staff

Oberst

Appointed Oberst

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander for Military District III in Potsdam

Major General

Appointed Major General

Chief of Staff

Appointed Chief of Staff

Wehrmacht

Appointed Head of the Wehrmacht Office

General

Appointed General

Chief High Command

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

Wehrmacht

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

Treaty of Munich

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

Role range: 1938-1945

Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW)

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

Wehrmacht

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

Invasion of Czech

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

Armistice

Signs the Armistice Treaty with France after disctating its terms

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Operation Sea Lion

Signs jointly with Hitler the directive for authorizing Operation Sea Lion

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Russia

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

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Jurisdiction Order

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

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Atlantic Wall

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

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Trial

Member of "court of honour" sentencing officers to death

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Result of Surrender of Germany

Germany accepts the formal military surrender ending the European war.

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Result of Surrender of Germany

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

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Surrender of Germany

Signs act of military surrender to the Allies

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Surrender of Germany

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

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1938-1945

Indictment Served at Nuremberg

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

Role range: 1939-1945

Not Guilty Plea at Nuremberg

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

Role range: 1939-1945

IMT Verdict for Wilhelm Keitel

Keitel is found guilty on all four counts and receives a death sentence for his role in criminal military orders and aggressive war.

Role range: 1939-1945

Execution of Keitel

At about 01:20 on 16 October 1946, Keitel was hanged in the Nuremberg Prison gymnasium shortly after von Ribbentrop, having delivered a final statement before the trap was released.

Role range: 1939-1945

Keitel Executed at Nuremberg Prison

Keitel is executed by hanging for the crimes on which the International Military Tribunal convicted him.

Role range: 1939-1945