Description:

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
(1890 - 1969) Thirty-fourth President of the United States, Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during World War II and largely responsible for the successful invasion on D-Day. IKE RECOLLECTS D-DAY ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INVASION. Superb content T.L.S. 'Ike E.' with holograph salutation and subscription on his gold monogram 'DDE' letterhead, 1p. 4to., Gettysburg, June 5, 1964. On the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the Allied landings on Normandy, Eisenhower reflects on D-Day and the tremendous effort undertaken to defeat Germany in this letter send to his close colleague at SHAEF, British Major Gen. KENNETH W. D. STRONG (1900-1982). Ike writes, in part: '...On this Sixth of June I suspect that your memory goes back, as mine does, to live over again the gnawing anxieties, the realization of unavoidable sacrifices, and the bright hopes that filled us on D-Day, 1944. Never, during the two decades that have since passed, have I ceased to render daily and devout thanks to a kindly Providence for permitting us to achieve in eleven months the complete victory that so many believed would require years. In the same way, I have always felt a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude to all who took part in, or who served in a supporting role for, that great Allied venture. To you, one of my close associates in OVERLORD, I am impelled to send, once more, a special word of thanks. Your professional skill and selfless dedication to the cause in which we all served will be noted by the histories of those dramatic months, but no historian could possibly be aware of the depth of my obligation to you....'. Fine condition. Strong was instrumental in the success of OVERLORD. In March 1943, Strong was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G-2) at Eisenhower's Allied Force Headquarters (AFHQ). Strong got on well with Eisenhower and his chief of staff, Major General Bedell Smith in particular, and Americans in general. Strong negotiated the surrender of Italy and received a promotion to major general in 1943. When Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Allied Commander in December 1943, he was so certain of the need for Strong's talents, he went over the heads of the British military directly to Churchill who released Strong to the Americans. In May, 1945 Gen. Walter Bedell Smith and Strong met with the representatives of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, Generaloberst Alfred Jodl and Generaladmiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg. Strong was present when, on 7 May, Smith signed the surrender document, along with Suslaparov and the French representative, Major General François Sevez. An incredible letter to one of the men instrumental in the Allied success in Europe.

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August 14, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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