Description:

ADOLF HITLER
(1889 - 1945) Dictator of Germany and Nazi Party leader, Hitler's bloody rise to power, his military seizure of most of Europe and North Africa and his genocidal racial policies culminated in suicide in his Berlin bunker as Russian troops approached. HITLER CREATES THE SS-VOLUNTEER PANZER DIVISION 'NEDERLAND' Historic content typed D.S. on blind-embossed 'Der Fuhrer' letterhead, 1p. 4to., 'Fuhrer Headquarters', April 20, 1943 - Hitler's 53rd birthday. Typed with Hitler's large-font typewriter, the document reads in full: 'I order the establishment of the SS-Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland.' A damp stain at top and light toning, else very good. The Volunteer Legion Netherlands was a collaborationist military formation recruited in the occupied Netherlands. It was formed in the aftermath of the German invasion of the Soviet Union and fought on the Eastern Front in the Waffen SS alongside similar formations from other parts of German-occupied Western Europe. It served before Leningrad, and in April 1943, the unit was sent to Germany to be reformed as the SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Brigade Nederland - the designation Hitler approves here - under the command of SS-Oberführer Jürgen Wagner. In September 1943, the brigade was sent to Croatia to join Felix Steiner's III SS Panzer Corps. It received 1,500 Dutch recruits, drawn from the SS Division Wiking, bring its strength to nearly 10,000. During its time there, elements of the brigade were engaged in rear-security operations. It was transferred back towards Leningrad along with Steiner's division, and following the disastrous battle at Narva, on 23 July 23, 1944 Steiner ordered a withdrawal to the Tannenberg Line. The unit was destroyed from the air on July 24, with only a few personnel reaching the Tannenberg Line a week later. It evacuated from the Kurland Pocket by sea, and was divided into two brigades, one surrendering to Americans, the other annihilated in the Halbe Pocket. Commander Jurgen Wagner would be executed for war crimes in 1947.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$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 + $10,000