On October 15, 1942, Alfred Jodl, Germany's senior military commander, made a key proposal to Adolf Hitler, the head of the Nazi Party: the Reich must strengthen the defenses of Vichy France in North Africa.
However, this proposal, which would seem crucial and correct in the future, was rejected by Hitler because he believed that if Germany did so, it would provoke opposition from Italy and lead to a rupture of relations with the Axis powers, and he was not optimistic about the growing power of Vichy France.
But in fact, it was Hitler's erroneous thinking that led to the complete defeat of Nazi Germany in North Africa.
Alfred Jodl, the German general who played an important role during World War II, was born in Würzburg on May 10, 1890.
His military career began in 1910 when he joined the field corps of the German Army and soon demonstrated excellent leadership qualities.
However, after the outbreak of the First World War, he was seriously wounded in battle, which forced him to temporarily leave the battlefield and go through a difficult period.
After his physical death, he witnessed the tragic situation of the First World War for Germany and the tragic situation of Germany's defeat, which made him full of doubts and confusion about his future and the fate of Germany.
Although he considered giving up his military career to become a doctor, his love for the army and his loyalty to Germany eventually led him to stay in the army.
In 1935, Jodel was promoted to the rank of major general, marking an important turning point in his military career.
He was sent to Vienna as commander of the 44th Artillery Command, which was also an important appointment in his career.
Subsequently, he took an active part in the German invasion of Poland, which marked the beginning of World War II.
As a staunch supporter of the National Socialist Workers' Party (NSDAP) in Nazi Germany, Jodel maintained a close relationship with the party's leader, Adolf Hitler.
In October 1939, he was appointed head of operations, which allowed him to play an even more important role in military strategy.
And in January 1944, he was promoted again and became general, which marked a further increase in his status in the German team.
However, Yodel's fate was not all smooth sailing.
In July 1944, he was nearly killed by a bomb** incident in the July Conspiracy.
Although he survived the attack and did so relatively quickly, the incident undoubtedly left him with great trauma and shadows.
As the war progressed, Nazi Germany's power gradually declined.
In May 1945, under pressure from the Allies, Germany finally signed an unconditional surrender.
However, this is not Yodel's redemption, but the beginning of his catastrophic fate.
Soon after, he was captured by the Allies and charged with war crimes.
At the Nuremberg war crimes trial, Jodel was part of the dock.
He is accused of approving and carrying out numerous military operations that violate international law, including atrocities against civilians, human rights violations, and violations of the rules of war.
Although he argued that he was only carrying out orders, he was eventually found guilty and hanged on October 16, 1946.
Yodel's fate is a profound reflection of the rise and fall of Nazi Germany, as well as the distortion of human nature and moral decay during that dark period.
He was a prominent leader in the German team, but he was also a war criminal because of his excessive loyalty.
His story teaches us that even in the darkest of moments, people should still stand up to their conscience and courageously reject orders and actions that go against humanity.
Yodel's life was both a witness to war and a reflection of history.
His fate is a severe test of the human spirit and a profound warning to the lessons of history.
Perhaps it is through in-depth reflection on such stories that we can better understand the past of humanity and walk more clearly and firmly on the road ahead.