We should have known better after the first war.

Sourced

Quoted in “Crossroads of Modern Warfare” - by Drew Middleton - History - 1983

Other Gerd von Rundstedt Quotes

It is madness to attempt to hold. In the first place the troops cannot do it and in the second place if they do not retreat they will be destroyed. I repeat that this order be rescinded or that you find someone else. - View Quote Details on It is madness to attempt to hold. In the first…
Make peace, you fools! - View Quote Details on Make peace, you fools!
It is a pity that this faithful youth is sacrificed in a hopeless situation. - View Quote Details on It is a pity that this faithful youth is sacrificed…
Von Rundstedt was a soldier through and through, always keeping himself clear of politics. - View Quote Details on Von Rundstedt was a soldier through and through, always keeping…
I strongly object to the fact that this stupid operation in the Ardennes is sometimes called the ‘Rundstedt Offensive’. This is a complete misnomer. I had nothing to do with it. It came to me as an order complete to the last detail. Hitler had even written on the plan in his own handwriting “not to be altered.” - View Quote Details on I strongly object to the fact that this stupid operation…
It was now just a question of time - and lives. - View Quote Details on It was now just a question of time - and…
Three factors defeated us in the West where I was in command. First, the unheard-of superiority of your air force, which made all movement in daytime impossible. Second, the lack of motor fuel - oil and gas - so that the Panzers and even the Luftwaffe were unable to move. Third, the systematic destruction of all railway communications so that it was impossible to bring one single railroad train across the Rhine. - View Quote Details on Three factors defeated us in the West where I was…
This war with Russia is an absurd idea that will have a disastrous outcome for sure. But if for political reasons the conflict is unavoidable, then we must be convinced that we will not gain victory in one simple summary campaign. Thoughts on the distances to cover. We cannot absolutely defeat the enemy and occupy entire western Russia, from the Baltic Sea to the Black, in mere months. We would have to prepare ourselves for one long war and to proceed with shrewdness. First of all, a strong army group towards the North would have to conquer Leningrad and its surrounding territories. This would allow us to join the Finnish, in order to eliminate the red fleet from the Baltic Sea and to increase our infuence on Scandinavia. For the moment the armys of the center-south would have to only be left over until a line that connects Odessa-Kiev-Orsa-Lago Ilmen. Then, if sufficient time remains, the Armed North group could be left over for south-east from Leningrad towards Moscow, while the army group Center moves to the east. All the upcoming operations would have to be held back until 1942, when we would have to elaborate new plans based on the situation which will arise from that moment. - View Quote Details on This war with Russia is an absurd idea that will…
The morale of the troops taking part was astonishingly high at the start of the offensive. They really believed victory was possible - unlike the higher commanders, who knew the facts. - View Quote Details on The morale of the troops taking part was astonishingly high…
Just as the defending force has gathered valuable experience from…Dieppe, so has the assaulting force…He will not do it like this a second time. - View Quote Details on Just as the defending force has gathered valuable experience from…Dieppe,…