Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist Historical Figure Nationality: Germany Date of Birth: 1881 Date of Death: 1954 Cause of Death: Died in a Soviet prison camp Occupation: Soldier Affiliations: German Wehrmacht Turtledove Appearances: "Ready for the Fatherland" POD: February 19, 1943 Type of Appearance: Direct

Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist (1881-1954) was a leading Germany field marshal during World War II. He participated in Germany's invasions of Poland, Yugoslavia, Greece, and the Soviet Union. He was captured by the Allies in 1945, and turned over to the Soviet Union, where he was tried and convicted for war crimes. He died in a prison camp in 1954.

Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist in "Ready for the Fatherland" Edit

Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist was present when German leader Adolf Hitler arrived in the Eastern Front in 1943 to oversee a planned offensive. Much like his colleague Erich von Manstein, Kleist did not believe the offensive would work, but was too frightened of Hitler to say so.^[1] Like everyone else present, Kleist was surprised when Manstein shot Hitler dead after Hitler had called Manstein a Jew. Kleist quickly sided with Manstein, pulling his gun and covering Hitler's henchmen, Alfred Jodl and Wilhelm Keitel.^[2]

1. ↑ See, e.g., Counting Up, Counting Down, pg. 88.
2. ↑ Ibid., pg. 89.