Wilhelm Keitel was a German field marshal and head of the German high command during World War II. Keitel, who excelled at administrative detail, became Adolph Hitler's trusted link to the German military leadership. He was regarded as Hitler's mouthpiece and did not initiate actions on his own. Following the defeat of Germany in 1945, Keitel was indicted and convicted by the International Military Tribunal (IMT) at Nuremberg for war crimes.

Keitel was born on September 22, 1882 in Helmscherode, Germany. Keitel entered the army in 1901 and was commissioned an officer in a field artillery regiment. During World War I he served mainly as a staff officer after being slightly wounded by shrapnel. In 1915 his career prospects improved when he was assigned to the general staff. After Germany's surrender in 1918, Keitel held a series of administrative posts in the reconstituted army. During this period, which lasted until Hitler assumed power in...