Hitler's Generals Trivia Quiz

Answer: Heinz Guderian

General Heinz Guderian was the foremost theorist and pioneer of German armored tactics. Without his innovative ideas on armored warfare, Germany's success in the opening phases of their Blitzkrieg would not have occurred. He was also one of the few generals who had the personal courage to stand up to Hitler.

Answer: Sepp Dietrich

Joseph 'Sepp' Dietrich began his career as Hitler's personal bodyguard and chauffeur. Although he lacked any formal military education, Dietrich achieved the rank of colonel general of the SS and the command of an entire army. Dietrich was later tried as a defendant in the Malmedy Massacre trial and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Answer: Gerd von Rundstedt

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt was one of the most respected officers in the German Army. He was also unafraid to countermand orders that he saw to be unsound. His first dismissal occurred in Russia after the retreat of German forces from Rostov. Appointed commander of the German forces in the West, he was dismissed once more following the German defeat in Normandy.

He was appointed commander once more in September 1944 and finally dismissed in March 1945. He made no secret of the fact that he despised Hitler and Nazism, and that he was a professional soldier first and foremost.

Answer: Desert Fox

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel is commonly known as the 'Wüstenfuchs' or 'Desert Fox'. His fame was achieved in North Africa while commanding the Afrika-Korps. He was also a highly respected theorist of armored warfare. Implicated in the plot to overthrow Hitler, he was forced to commit suicide.

Answer: promoted him

Hitler's final act to General Friedrich Paulus at Stalingrad was to promote him to field marshal. This was done because no German field marshal had ever surrendered his army or allowed himself to be taken prisoner. Paulus not only surrendered what remained of the 6th Army, he also gave orders that no one was to commit suicide by baiting the Russians into shooting them.

Answer: decorated him then dismissed him

Field Marshal von Manstein successfully held the Eastern Front together after the defeat at Stalingrad and the failed Kursk Offensive with some brilliant tactical operations. Hitler rewarded his services by decorating him with the swords of the Knights Cross then dismissed him.

The reason: he defied Hitler, countermanded orders and called for a shortening of the line and a tactical armored reserve to meet further Russian offensives. These initiatives were sound advice which Hitler vehemently rejected.

Answer: Clever Hans

Field Marshal Günther von Kluge's nickname was 'Clever Hans'. He was clever enough to ruin Guderian's career and have himself appointed to the High Command, but not clever enough to stop Hitler from discovering his involvement in the July 20th Plot. He committed suicide to escape Hitler's wrath.

Answer: Walther Model

Known for his renowned defensive tactics, Field Marshal Walther Model was also known as Hitler's 'fireman'. The concept of first hand knowledge from a first hand source instead of a staff removed from the front, are still practiced in armies today. Unlike Paulus, Model did chose to commit suicide rather than be taken prisoner by the Allies.

Answer: Ritter von Greim

Field Marshal Ritter von Greim was the last commander in chief of the Luftwaffe. He was appointed by Hitler in the final days of the Third Reich in the bunker. He committed suicide. His final words were,"I am head of the Luftwaffe, but I have no Luftwaffe".

Answer: Wilhelm Keitel

Wilhelm Keitel never held a combat command in the field despite holding the rank of field marshal. He was considered nothing less than Hitler's 'yes man' by the General Staff and other general officers serving in the field. Fellow officers referred to him as 'Lakeitel', ('Keitellackey') or messenger boy.