Description:

‘MEMORANDUM OF CONFERENCE WITH MARSHAL STALIN'
KENNETH STRONG

(1900 – 1982) British major general who earned both British and foreign awards for his service in Eisenhower's Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and his role in negotiating the surrender of Germany in 1945. Promoted postwar to Director General of Intelligence. A photocopy of a rare, typed memorandum ‘Memorandum of Conference with Marshal Stalin', 4pp. 4to., [n.p.], Jan. 15, 1945, being one of only five copies. Content within includes: Stalin discussing the Red-Army operation known as the Vistula-Oder Offensive which has begun only three days prior to this meeting; the difficulties and importance of putting down enemy espionage in preparation for attacks; crossing the Rhine in the spring; a decline in German artillery and competent soldiers and pilots; Stalin's opinion that the war will likely only end due to famine, likely not before summer; a proposed visit between Stalin and Gen. Eisenhower; the performance of Allied tanks; and a request made of Stalin to bomb the Blechammer synthetic oil plant. In response to this request, Stalin is quoted ‘It would be foolish for me to stand aside and let the German annihilate you; they would only turn back on me when you were disposed of. Similarly it is to your interest to do everything possible to keep the Germans from annihilating me.' Stalin ends this conference with comedic relief after Air Chief Marshal Tedder expresses gratitude, responding, ‘I am embarrassed by your expression of gratitude.' Present at this conference were Air Chief Marshal Arthur W. Tedder, Maj. Gen. Harold R. Bull, Maj. Gen. John R. Deane, Adm. Ernest R. Archer and Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Betts. Strong signs each page at the top left in blue ink, adding his rank. Fine.

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January 25, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
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