Meaning: This quote by Wilhelm Keitel, a German field marshal during World War II, reflects the ruthless and unyielding approach adopted by the Nazi regime in prosecuting the war. Keitel was one of the key figures in the German military hierarchy and played a significant role in formulating and implementing the policies that resulted in some of the most egregious atrocities of the war.

The quote encapsulates the ethos of total war that was embraced by the Nazi leadership, where the pursuit of victory superseded all moral and ethical considerations. The concept of "total war" emerged during the 20th century and signified a departure from the traditional rules of engagement and the widespread mobilization of society and resources for the war effort. In this context, Keitel's words underscore the extreme measures that the German military was willing to employ in pursuit of their objectives, regardless of the human cost.

The phrase "troops are therefore empowered and are in duty bound in this war to use without mitigation even against women and children any means that will lead to success" reflects the disturbing willingness of the Nazi leadership to sanction the use of indiscriminate and brutal tactics in warfare. This declaration effectively absolves the soldiers of any moral or legal constraints, allowing them to resort to extreme violence and cruelty in the pursuit of victory. It is a chilling reminder of the dehumanizing impact of war and the erosion of ethical boundaries in the face of ideological fervor and militaristic zeal.

The reference to "even against women and children" is particularly jarring, as it highlights the deliberate targeting of vulnerable and non-combatant populations in the pursuit of military objectives. This flagrant disregard for the principles of distinction and proportionality, which are central tenets of international humanitarian law, is indicative of the wanton disregard for human life that characterized the conduct of the German military during the war.

Wilhelm Keitel's invocation of the imperative of success as a justification for unrestrained tactics encapsulates the utilitarian calculus that underpinned the Nazi approach to warfare. In this view, the ends justified the means, no matter how egregious or abhorrent those means might be. This ruthless pragmatism laid the groundwork for some of the most heinous crimes committed during the war, including the systematic extermination of millions of innocent civilians in the Holocaust and other atrocities.

It is important to contextualize Keitel's words within the broader framework of Nazi ideology and the totalitarian ethos that animated the regime. The Nazi leadership, under the direction of Adolf Hitler, espoused a radical and aggressive vision of warfare that sought to annihilate perceived enemies and secure hegemonic dominance. This belligerent and expansionist agenda provided the ideological backdrop for the adoption of extreme measures and the cultivation of a militarized society geared towards total mobilization.

In conclusion, Wilhelm Keitel's quote serves as a stark reminder of the moral abyss into which societies can descend during times of conflict. It stands as a testament to the perils of unchecked militarism, ideological extremism, and the erosion of ethical constraints in the pursuit of victory at any cost. Keitel's words encapsulate the chilling reality of total war and the profound human suffering that accompanies the abandonment of moral principles in the crucible of armed conflict.