Description:

FRANZ HALDER'S PERSONAL COPY OF THE FIRST PRINTING OF HIS 'WAR DIARY'
FRANZ HALDER (1884–1972) German general and the chief of staff of the Army High Command (OKH) from 1938-1942. He directed the planning and implementation of Operation Barbarossa, the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. A most important historical document, Gen. Franz Halder's personal copy of the first printing of his war diary, prepared by Halder to be presented as a prosecution exhibit during the trial of German Gen. Wilhelm von Leeb and 13 other military leaders at Nuremberg which commenced on Nov. 29, 1947. The 61pp. legal folio mimeographed document (with footnotes and errata) was clearly produced at the time of the trials and bears a small bookmark within in Halder's hand. This English 'translation' is of the earliest part of Halder's original shorthand and it covers the period from Sep. 1, 1938 until Sep. 10, 1939. The printing bears a foreword by its editor, Arnold Lissance, Interrogator and Editorial Analyst, Evidence Division, Office of Chief of Counsel for War Crimes who also reviewed the text with Halder. This final mimeographed version was completed under the supervision of Ludwig R. Borihski, Language Division, Office of Chief of Counsel for War Crimes. It includes Halder's speculation on a French-British all-out attack, possible countermeasures, the urgency of taking Poland, Himmler and Heydrich obtaining Polish uniforms for the border ruse, Hitler's demand for the 'annihilation' of the Polish army, monitoring the French and British, political preparations for the invasion of Poland, and minute-by-minute reports on the progress of the invasion. Lightly toned throughout, else near fine, lightly annotated with check marks on a few pages. Halder participated in the strategic planning for the invasion of Poland. His plans also authorized the SS to carry out security tasks on behalf of the army that included the imprisonment or execution of Polish citizens, whether Jewish or gentile. On 1 September 1939, the German offensive began, resulting in declarations of war by France and the British Empire. An imprint of great importance.

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April 21, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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