Description:

AMERICAN SOLDIER'S VE-DAY LETTER
Fine VE-Day lot consisting of four pieces: Superb content A.L.S., "Bill", 4pp., 4to., "Germany", May 8, 1945, a letter from a 610th Ordnance Base Artillery and Fire Control Maintenance Control Battalion soldier to his mother. The soldier, William King, begins by recounting the process of Germany's surrender, in part: "...I will attempt to describe to you the general run of events as I saw them. For some time back, we had been hearing rumors of peace bids and surrenders...This Admiral Donitz, who was the brains of the U-boat campaign took over and the surrender came rolling in...what was really happening was the manuvering [sp] of German units to surrender to the British or to us to keep as many prisoners as possible away from the Russians..." King goes on to say the announcement's effect on his unit, in part: "...May seventh was like any other day, we were working in the shops...Well, in about five minutes the awfulest noise you ever heard cut loose. They tied down the sirens on the tanks in the repair shops, started all the horns, and I guess everybody in the outfit fired their guns in the air until they were empty...We got the news at three in the afternoon. They opened up the beer hall, after collecting all ammunition remaining and all those who cared to could get gloriously drunk...they were firing everything up to machine guns right in the middle of the main street...by the time we got done back slapping and shaking hands and talking, it was time for chow. This was the loudest mess I believe we ever had..." King also discusses the reaction of local Germans, in part: "...A lot of the women in our laundry began to bawl. I don't know whether they were glad or whether they just realized they lost...when the boys started to whoop it up with their guns, they scattered, and soon there was no Kraut in sight..." Lightly toned with light folds, staining mark on first page from transmittal cover, very good. Lot also includes: transmittal cover with May 9, 1945 APO stamp cancel and Army Censor stamp; a set of six inter-Army paper deutschmarks and francs; original publication copy of the Snow Job, King's unit newsletter and one of the first American publications in Germany, dated May 8, 1945, with the title, "Today is V-E Day".

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyer's should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. Customer's who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

January 21, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% 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 + $1,000