Dietrich von Choltitz quotes

If for the first time I had disobeyed, it was because I knew that Hitler was insane. (Dietrich von Choltitz)

We all share the guilt. We went along with everything, and we half-took the Nazis seriously instead of saying "to hell with you and your stupid nonsense". I misled my soldiers into believing this rubbish. I feel utterly ashamed of myself. Perhaps we bear even more guilt than these uneducated animals.

Dietrich von Choltitz

No doubt: I was in front of a madman. The awareness that the existence of our people was in the hands of an insane person, unable to dominate the situation [...] weighed on me with all its strength.

Dietrich von Choltitz

Even today, I can not say with certainty whether he himself believed in his words or whether he was knowingly deceiving those around him to urge him to keep to the end.

Dietrich von Choltitz

I asked the Field Marshal von Manstein if he would take part in the actions against Hitler. Manstein was sitting in a chair and reading the Bible. Quick, almost embarrassed, he put it aside and covered it with some papers.

Dietrich von Choltitz

The worst job I ever carried out - which however I carried out with great consistency - was the liquidation of the Jews. I carried out this thoroughly and entirely.

Dietrich von Choltitz

Oh, Field Marshal, so far it would have been a funeral without military honors, maybe now it can become one with military honors.

Dietrich von Choltitz

I stood in front of him and I saw an old, stooped, bloated man with gray, slick hair, barely standing on his legs.

Dietrich von Choltitz

I was at Stalingrad, you know... And from that time onwards I have done nothing but manoeuvre to escape encirclement by the enemy: retreat on retreat, defeat upon defeat. And here I am in marvellous Paris. What do you think is going to happen now?

Dietrich von Choltitz

I am a soldier. I get orders. I execute them.

Dietrich von Choltitz

He was trembling all over and the desk on which he was leaning shook. He was bathed in perspiration and became more agitated. (Dietrich von Choltitz)

Gentlemen, you are the leaders of the best soldiers in the world. I will give you five or six of my own men; we will cover your back with sustained barrage fire to protect you while you cross the rue de Rivoli. All you need to do is force open a door to fight your way to the tapestry.

Dietrich von Choltitz