HITLER AS LEADER
SUPREME ARMY CHIEF EXPERTS ALARMED LONDON, Aug. 8. Herr Hitler’s intention to assume supreme command of the Reichswehr in the event of war is worrying German military experts, according to the Daily Herald. They are anxiously advancing carefully-worded objections. based on strictly technical grounds. • General Wetzel contributes a re--markably outspoken article to the Reichswehr journal Military Weekly, in which he strongly opposes the view that it is possible to unite the tasks of political and military leadership, and that the military commander will be able to direct operations from far behind the lines. “LudendorfT,” lie says, “was forced to devote so much, of his time to affairs which were not strictly military that he was unable to keep proper contact with his subordinates “There is no doubt that the head of the State carries the greatest responsibility, but he must have a separate commander devoting his whole time to the execution of purely military objects.”
It is well known, says the Herald, that lieir Hitler has ordered a special mobile headquarters lor his use in wartime, and that he has frequently expressed the desire to lead the German troops personally. On February 4, 1938, when Hitler “shook up’’ the army and diplomatic service, he assumed the additional title of Chief of the National Defence. announcing that in future he would “exercise direct command over the entire armed establishment.”
He took as his chief of staff in this supreme command General Wilhelm Keitel.
General von Brauchitsch is Com mander-in-Chief of the Reichswehr.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 11
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254HITLER AS LEADER Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 11
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