Lot 407

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Description:


Important grouping of eight typed documents emanating from the files of JOHN G. ERHARDT (1889-1951), former Consul in Hamburg and at the time American Consul in London under Ambassador Joseph Kennedy, Sr. The documents and circulars vividly illustrate the frantic efforts made in the embassy to get American citizens and embassy staffers safely out of the country in anticipation of German air attacks on the U.K. A 4pp. legal memorandum with corrections in Erhardt's hand, Aug. 22, 1939 and given to Kennedy describes the U.K. being divided into four evacuation zones with consuls responsible for notifying Americans in their respective zones. The embassy will have the use of a residence in Surrey and names of all Americans calling at the embassy are to be recorded. Two days later, Erhardt sends another memorandum to Kennedy setting forth the evacuation plan. The Naval Attache will ensure ships will be at ports of embarkation, and consular officers will ensure Americans have transportation and billets at those ports. Over 9,000 Americans are in the U.K., and special trains are also being arranged. Emergency supplies for the embassy have been purchased and an additional $50,000 has been requested. There are five more memorandums between Erhardt and consular officials, with discussions concerning chartering passenger vessels, an estimate of 50% of Americans planning to leave by Sep. 6th, train availibility, etc. The last item is a press notice issued on Sep. 7th, six days after the invasion of Poland. It describes the evacuation ship STELLA POLARIS becoming available, noting that the ship is 'neutral and built like a yacht, obviously not a cargo carrier...'. Very good. In 1940 the Norwegian-registered STELLA POLARIS was seized by the Germans and was used as a recreation vessel for U-boat crews until 1943.

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October 28, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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