Lot 653

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Description:

ADOLF HITLER
(1889 - 1945) Fuhrer 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. Historic typed D.S., 1p. large 4to., "Fuhrer Headquarters" [Berlin], Jan. 29, 1944. On the eve of the anniversary of Hitler's appointment as Reichschancellor, he gives ALFRED JODL his last promotion, elevating him from the rank of General of Artillery to Colonel General. Jodl is of course described as holding the title of "Chief of Operation Staff of the High Command of the Armed Forces", a position given to him by Hitler in 1939. This would be the highest military rank Jodl would ever achieve prior to his death. Hitler also gives the same promotion to KURT ZEITZLER (1895-1963), Chief of Staff of the Army General Staff appointed on Sept. 24, 1942 as a replacement for Franz Halder. Boldly signed at bottom, co-signed by RUDOLPH SCHMUNDT (1896-1944), Chief of the Personnel Department and a casualty of the July 20 Plot purges. Fine condition. ALFRED JODL (1890-1946) would sign Germany's unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945. At Nuremburg, he was accused of conspiracy to commit crimes against peace; planning, initiating and waging wars of aggression; war crimes; and crimes against humanity. The principal charges against him related to his signature of the Commando Order and the Commissar Order, both of which ordered that certain prisoners were to be summarily executed. He was hanged on Oct. 16, 1946. Kurt Zeitzler found himself at the end of his rope after a series of violent arguments with Hitler, and suddenly left the Berghof on July 1, 1944 suffering a nervous breakdown. Hitler never spoke to him again, and even had him dismissed from the Army, refusing him the right to wear a uniform.

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October 10, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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