Unearthed: Hitler's rant at his 'useless' commanders

Adolf Hitler condemned his top generals as "flabby, indecent and complete failures". Photo / Getty Images

Historians have discovered a Second World War rant by Adolf Hitler condemning his top generals as "flabby, indecent and complete failures".

The 85-minute transcript, which was found in the Russian defence ministry, is from 1942 - showing that Hitler became disillusioned with his commanders much sooner than previously thought.

Germany's Spiegel magazine called the find "spectacular".

The conversation with field marshal Wilhelm Keitel, who was head of German high command for most of the war, took place in Vinnitsa, Ukraine - site of one of his headquarters for the war against Russia.

"A year after the invasion of the Soviet Union the eastern campaign had failed - and Hitler was raging," said the magazine.

In the transcript Hitler says: "I'm dead scared, to be away for a day or only five hours, because something might happen.

"If I was today to get, for example, a canal root infection, I cannot leave, I must remain here."

The transcript, found by Matthias Uhl and Johannes Harter, shows Hitler describing colonel-general Franz Halder, chief of staff of the army, as a man who "cannot decide if an attack is to be made with 100 men, with six battalions or two divisions".

General field marshal Wilhelm List was branded a "flabby leader" and general field marshal Fedor von Bock was condemned as a man who "failed completely" in his mission.

He accused his generals of "ignoring my commands", adding: "This is quite useless."

Hitler called their "inability" to listen to him "an indecency".

- Daily Mail