Friedrich Paulus quotes

Friedrich Paulus was a German field marshal best known for commanding the 6th Army during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. His surrender in Stalingrad marked a significant turning point in the conflict. He later testified at the Nuremberg Trials and spoke out against the Nazi regime. Here are 8 of his quotes:

The Sixth Army, true to their oath and conscious of the lofty importance of their mission, have held their position to the last man and the last round for Führer and Fatherland unto the end. (Friedrich Paulus)
Soldiers were and will remain soldiers. They fight, carrying out their duty, not thinking about the reasons, true to their military oath. And the beginning and the end of war is the business of politicians, to whom the situation at the front dictates these or other decisions. View quote
Friedrich Paulus
Troops without ammunition or food. Effective command no longer possible. 18,000 wounded without any supplies or dressings or drugs. Further defence senseless. Collapse inevitable. Army requests immediate permission to surrender in order to save lives of remaining troops. View quote
Friedrich Paulus
Everything you say, Reichenau, is totally unmilitaristic. View quote
Friedrich Paulus
You are talking to dead men here. View quote
Friedrich Paulus
He is at pains to avoid making enemies. He is slow, but very methodical. He displays marked tactical ability, though he is inclined to spend overmuch time on his appreciation. View quote
Friedrich Paulus
A very clever man though perhaps not a very strong character. View quote
Friedrich Paulus
What hurts me the most, personally, is that I still promoted him to field marshal. I wanted to give him this final satisfaction... a man like that besmirches the heroism of so many others at the last moment. He could have freed himself from all sorrow and ascended into eternity and national immortality, but he prefers to go to Moscow. View quote
Friedrich Paulus