Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt Quotes in The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (1951)

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: [It's] too late for me. I'm seventy now - too old to fight, too old to challenge authority, however evil... but not too old, however, to wish you and your friends the best of luck in their extremely interesting enterprise.

Field Marshal Keitel: Have you any better suggestions?

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: Yes, one very much better. Make peace, you idiot!

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: From the moment the Bohemian corporal promoted himself to the supreme command of our forces, the German Army has been the victim of a unique situation: not only too many of the enemy, but one too many Germans.

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: His astrologers have informed him that this is only a feint, that the real invasion is yet to come, north of Calais. The Fifteenth Army is sitting on those cold beaches up there, waiting for an invasion that is already taking place, is an excellent example of war by horoscope.

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: I tell you this in confidence, Rommel: I don't think anything we can do would be of the slightest use. The pattern for defeat has already been set. "Hold fast. Don't give up a millimeter of ground. Victory or death." Wars simply can't be won by men whose knowledge of tactics is based on copybook maxims. They may stir schoolchildren, but they don't stop troops. But give me a free hand for a few months and I'd make them pay for it. I'd make them pay such a price in blood they'd wish they'd never heard of Germany. I might not be able to stop them all, but they'd know they'd fought an army, not a series of stationary targets.

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: I'm told you once referred to me as a clown. A clown of Hitler's circus.

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: Oh, did I?

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: If so, I think you should know that I've been a great deal more explicit about you, many times.

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: Oh, that's quite all right, Field Marshal. I find it almost impossible to keep my mind on anything harsh said about me.

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: Did you say it?

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: Whoever said it, you've given them ample reason to regret such a foolish remark.

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: Thank you, Field Marshal.

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: Not at all.

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: Is there anything else?

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: I don't believe so, at the moment.

[Rommel salutes and heads for the door]

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: One suggestion, perhaps, in view of our cordiality. If I were you, I wouldn't be altogether unguarded about what I had to say about this new strategic arrangement. I think you should know that from now on, you'll be under more or less constant observation.

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: From Berlin?

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: [shrugs] Friends of the management, I believe.

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: Have you any information as to why I should be singled out for such attention?

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: Oh, but you are not, we all are. Apparently you didn't have it in Africa, but here on the continent, it's an honor that goes with staff rank.

Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel: You too?

Field Marshal Gerd von Runstedt: [chuckles] My dear fellow, I'm the commander-in-chief.