"If this war is not fought with the greatest brutality against the bands both in the East and in the Balkans then in the foreseeable future the strength at our disposal will not be sufficient to be able to master this plague"

In this quote, Wilhelm Keitel is highlighting the importance of using severe force in war against the opponent groups in the East and Balkans. He thinks that if this war is not battled with the utmost brutality, the strength of their army will not suffice to defeat the enemy and get rid of the risk they position. Keitel sees these groups as a "afflict" that should be gotten rid of, and he believes that just through extreme measures can they be beat. This quote shows the callous and aggressive mindset of military leaders throughout times of war, where triumph is viewed as the ultimate objective, no matter the methods used to accomplish it.