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. Important war-date D.S. on his blind-embossed "Der Fuhrer" letterhead, "Fuhrer Headquarters", Apr. 20, 1943 (Hitler's birthday), In German. In full: "I order the creation of an SS-Volunteer Armored Grenadier Division 'Neederland'". Co-signed by HEINRICH HIMMLER who lightly writes his initials "HH" in green indelible pencil at the conclusion of the text. Light damp stain at top margin well away from text, else very good and with a strong signature. According to a color copy of a July 6, 1945 letter (included), Lt. Henry Gellerman of Headquarters, 7th Army, G-2 MIS writes that he personally recovered the document at Hitler's retreat at Berchtesgaden. The 4.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Brigade 'Nederland' saw action for the first time in September 1943. Serving in Croatia, the unit was reinforced with troops from the "Wiking" Division, fighting partisans and guarding communications. On Christmas Day, 1943 the brigade was sent to Leningrad to resist a Russian breakthrough. When the Russians finally broke Luftwaffe-manned lines, Gen. Felix Steiner commended the brigade for its tenacious fighting despite losing 30% of its strength through combat losses. Further losses were suffered in the defense of "Festung" Narva. The brigade was then shifted to the Kurland and exchanged desultory blows with the Soviets. By April, the brigade had been drawn back to the outskirts of Berlin, where the 49th Regiment would surrender to the Americans...only after it had destroyed the last attacking Soviet tank.

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February 18, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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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 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000