Description:

ERHARD MILCH
(1892 - 1972) Co-creator with Göring of the Nazi's Luftwaffe, promoted to the rank of field marshal, later tried at Nuremburg and imprisoned until 1954. WAR CRIMINAL MILCH FEARS HE AND FELLOW GENERALS WILL BE DENIED THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS Pair of important signed documents and one draft, all emanating from Milch's re-trial days while he was held at Nuremberg. Included is a T.L.S., 1p. 4to., Dec. 20, 1945, in German to Major AIREY NEAVE (1916-1979), serving with the International Military Tribunal, who had read the indictments to the defendants two months earlier. Milch's letter reads, in part: '...On behalf of the officers of the former German air force enumerated below I request with regard to the indictment against the 'General Staff'...That an officer may be admitted as Chief Counsel...That at the side of this officer there may be put a lawyer...That the enumerated officers may be heard personally by the Tribunal...That the accused personas and the accusations made against them may be made known may be made known, in order to prepare defence in regard to selecting and proposing the chief counsel, the witnesses,etc...' At bottom, Milch lists those for whom he advocates, namely: ALBERT KESSELRING, HUGO SPERRLE, HANS-JURGEN STUMPF, and himself. Also included is the translation of this letter, with pencil annotations by the translator. Both are mounted to heavy stock, back-to-back. Also included is a second letter by Milch, 1p. to., Nuremberg, Jan. 4, 1946, in German to Lord GEOFFREY LAWRENCE (1880-1971), the chief British justice at Nuremberg. Calling himself 'an English prisoner of war', Milch asks that he be allowed to forward to Lawrence the same type of petition as von Brauchitsch had (ie: the piece offered above), 'in the name of the higher ranking generals of the former German air force...' Mounted. Very good to fine. After initially and then later refusing to testify against the major war criminals, Milch received his own trial. He was convicted of participating in the ill-treatment and use of the forced labor of prisoners of war and the deportation of civilians to the same ends, and crimes against humanity by participating in the murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, imprisonment, torture, and the use of slave labor of civilians who came under German control, German nationals and prisoners of war.
These documents originate from the files of Hans Werner, Director of Printing for the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg. It was his task to publish the 42-volume record of the trial using this document and scores of others. Following completion of his task, Werner was permitted to retain possession of the documents, which were never tagged as evidence. They were then sold by autograph expert Charles Hamilton in his auctions, in 1979.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

December 7, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% 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 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000