Description:

DEFEATED HITLER DECLARES 'COME WHAT MAY' AS STALINGRAD COLLAPSES
A historic pair of telegrams exchanged between Adolf Hitler and AUGUSTIN MUNOZ GRANDES (1896-1972), Spanish general and politician, commander of the Axis-aligned Blue Division, written at the start of 1942 as Army Group B faces almost certain destruction at Stalingrad. In his message to Munoz Grandes, Hitler believes he will prevail, 'come what may'. The first
telegram is sent by Munoz Grandes to Hitler, 1p. 4to., [n.p.], Jan. 1, 1942. Munoz Grandes offers solace to the German leader. In part: '...Together with thoughts that go to my own country, I wish Germany complete victory over our enemies in the year which has just begun. The hardships of the present moment can only confirm my confidence in the final victory, and my sole wish is that the relationship between our two countries may become still deeper and more intimate, even if at the cost of heavy sacrifices...Munoz Grandes, Commander of the Spanish Division...' File and staple holes in blank margins, else very good. Notations show that the text was received at 2100 hours at the 'Wolf's Lair' and submitted to Hitler the next day by his adjutant NICHOLAS VON BELOW, who has initiated it in blue pencil. The second telegram is sent from Hitler to Munoz Grandes, 1p. 4to., Jan. 2, 1942. It is text typed on the large font 'Fuhrer typewriter' with an addition in Hitler's own hand. In part: '...I was grateful for your good wishes for the New Year, certain that, come what may, our struggle against our enemies will be as successful in the future too, as it has been so far, and that final victory will be ours. I am in grateful remembrance of your country, which can be proud of the exploits of its Blue Division. I send you and your soldiers my best wishes...' It is critical to note that Hitler has added in his own hand the words: 'In spite of everything too' ('come what may'), thus qualifying his assurances and questioning the war's outcome for the first time. File holes, else very good. Finally, the lot is sold with the final retained transmittal copy of the telegram, worded the same, dated Jan. 3 and transmitted at 1315 hours. A month later, the Blue Division, at Leningrad, would fight off a counter-attacking Russian force seven times its strength. Three pieces.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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