ERWIN ROMMEL

But courage which goes against military expediency is stupidity, or, if it is insisted upon by a commander, irresponsibility.

In a man-to-man fight, the winner is he who has one more round in his magazine.

Don't fight a battle if you don't gain anything by winning.

Sweat saves blood.

The future battle on the ground will be preceded by battle in the air. This will determine which of the contestants has to suffer operational and tactical disadvantages and be forced throughout the battle into adoption compromise solutions.

Anyone who has to fight, even with the most modern weapons, against an enemy in complete command of the air, fights like a savage against modern European troops, under the same handicaps and with the same chances of success.

Always in a moment of extreme danger things can be done which had previously been thought impossible.

The peril of the hour moved the British to tremendous exertions, just as always in a moment of extreme danger things can be done which had previously been thought impossible. Mortal danger is an effective antidote for fixed ideas.

A risk is a chance you take; if it fails you can recover. A gamble is a chance taken; if it fails, recovery is impossible.

One of the most important factors, not only in military matters but in life as a whole, is ... the ability to direct one's whole energies towards the fulfillment of a particular task.

Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself, and let the troops see that you don't in your endurance of fatigue and privation. Always be tactful and well-mannered and teach your subordinates to do the same. Avoid excessive sharpness or harshness of voice, which usually indicates the man who has shortcomings of his own to hide.

War makes extremely heavy demands on the soldier's strength and nerves. For this reason, make heavy demands on your men in peacetime exercises.

The battle is going very heavily against us. We're being crushed by the enemy weight. We are facing very difficult days, perhaps the most difficult that a man can undergo

Winning the men's confidence requires much of a commander. He must exercise care and caution, look after his men, live under the same hardships, and-above all- apply self discipline. But once he has their confidence, his men will follow him through hell and high water.

The battle is fought and decided by the quartermasters, long before the shooting begins.

One must not judge everyone in the world by his qualities as a soldier: otherwise we should have no civilization.

The best form of welfare for the troops is first-rate training.

The commander must establish personal and comradely contact with his men, but without giving away one inch of authority.

It's better for one to die than for all of us to be killed in a shooting affray. Anyway, we've practically no ammunition.

The organization of supplies, the command of men, anything in any way constructive requires more than intellect; it requires energy and drive and an unrelenting will to serve the cause, regardless of one's personal interests.

One cannot permit unique opportunities to slip by for the sake of trifles.

Which would your men rather be, tired, or dead?

Manstein is a man of illusions. ... He believes Hitler will listen to facts.

The German soldier has impressed the world, however the Italian Bersagliere soldier has impressed the German soldier.

There are always times where the place of a commander isn't back with his Major State, but onward with his troops.