Why did the Generals not speak out

December 1941 marked the end of the great era of Blitzkrieg for the German army in Russia. Moscow had not fallen this was the first sign for the Soviet army; they could stop the invaders and hold their ground. Hitler failed to pick up on that fact, he was to busy firing his generals at that time. And to make things even worst he fired Brauchitsch, and appointed himself as Commander in Chief of the army; from this point on there was no chance of any kind of victory. Hitler biggest gamble failed a catalogue of blunders was to follow so why did his Generals put up with him were they that afraid of Hitler?

 

Some did, trouble was that they career prospects would not be very very bright afterwards.

 

Hitler's greatest weapon fear!

 

That and most of them owed their positions to Hitler. So you had the honorable ones who swore allegence to Hitler and the others who rose up through the ranks because of Hitler. This as well as the SS being firmly established and in position to retaliate.

 

After all the successes 1939-1941 I guess nobody dared to "attack" Hitler personally. Also like PzJgr says almost all had got their position thanx to Mr Hitler himself.

 

There were plenty of people who spoke out against Hitler through the years. Most of them were found years later in mass graves.

 

So it looks like a two fold problem Hitler used fear, and the threat of what would happen if they failed to win the war in Russia, and the Generals had to much pride.

 

Also Hitler used the " May the best man win" system. He usually had at least two persons competing for the job/task and the winner would be rewarded in the end. Thus Hitler created the situation where people used their strenght competing each other not against Hitler.

 

Hitler relations:
Rule 1) Don't wake the Fuhrer while he's sleeping!!! Who cares if it means the end of the war and a loss for Germany? (Wrong board, I know, but couldn't resist)

 

Another point to the problem yes I agree with that one LuckyJack.

 

Why thank you.

 

There was a story about Henry Ford the automobile giant. He invited five of his top executives to a retreat. While there he suggested they play poker. As they played he suggested they play strip poker. Everyone went along. He then started changing the rules so that he won all the time. Everyone played along. When he was the only one left with any clothes on he stood up and told them that they were all fired. When they looked at him shocked he told them if they didn't have enough gumption to stand up and keep him from getting them all naked how could he trust them to stop him from making a mistake that would ruin the company. Reminds me of Hitler. He ruined the country and nobody stopped him.

 

Hitler´s politics was to make people fight each other. So the same job was given to two or more men and depending on how well they succeeded they got into Hitler´s favor or not.I guess this is the same as the Roman slogan " Rule and destroy " or something like that

 

Er, 'divide and rule', more likely

 

The Third Reich structure was muddled and complex wheels in wheels it’s amazing how it managed to function, as Za said 'divide and rule' overlapping power and so on a administration nightmare.

 

Yes, that´s the one Za.Thanx!

 

Not only that but you also have to take into consideration that Hitler had his generals (at least quite a few) in his pocket, literally. He used to distribute land titles and even straight cash gifts, which further compromised (or bought) them. Von Manstein for instance was one who received a large estate in East Prussia, whose legal owner had to be evicted.

Can you imagine Pres. Roosevelt telling say Gen. Bradley "Here's a ranch in Montana for you, now never forget who gave it to you"?

 

I think Gen. Bradley would ask his president, “Sir have you lost your marbles”?

 

I believe a lot of the more powerful generals did speak out against Hitler, especially his Chief's of Staff (which got a lot of them sacked) However, Hitler though that he was an infallible military commander so he just did not listen.

 

Please do provide instances of Armee, Armeegrupe, OKH and OKW higher officers speaking out against Hitler in a regular basis or not.

OKH - Guderian yes, Zeitzler before him in the last phase yes, Halder, yes. Where did that lead them to? Dismissal at least. Zeitzler was dismissed from the Army and forbidden to wear an uniform. Halder ditto, and was lucky to escape the July 20 '44 purge. They might speak out but Hitler always won, for some reason the Führer was him.

OKW - Jodl (Operations Chief), he had to, to the point that Hitler refused to speak or shake hands to him. Keitel (Chief)? Ha, never!

Ditto for the other generals, v.Manstein was joked about for coming into the Führer's office full of ideas and coming out with the Führer's ideas instead!

Himmler (Chief Army Group Vistula)? No way! Göring? Joking?

Read Ian Kershaw's "Nemesis" for a good number of examples on how the Führer worked on hearts and minds.