Description:

GERHARD WAGNER
(1898-1987) German naval officer, served through World War I and II, before retiring as a rear admiral in the Bundesmarine. Good pair of signed letters, includes: T.L.S. in German, 1p. 4to., Hamburg, Aug. 30, 1974, to William Greene, responding to Greene''s request for information to be included in a biography he is writing on Kriegsmarine chief Karl Donitz. Wagner cheerfully agrees to answer Greene''s questions as best as he can, in part: "...This I do more gladly in that I welcome your intentions of writing an unattested biography of Donitz, because I regard him highly as an excellent naval officer and as a man whose character is beyond reproach, and since leaving the active service in the Bundesmarine in 1962, I have made it my mission to work everywhere, where it is important, to contribute towards breaking through to the historical truth... I wish to tell you I have announced my visit with Grand-Admiral Donitz for Tuseday, Sept. 3 1974. I visit him every month of two for an exchange of thoughts... naturally, I will speak with him about your letter and my answer today..." Wagner signs at the conclusion in blue ink, and executes several ink emendation in the body. Also present with the letter are its original transmittal envelope, Greene''s manuscript translation, and a retained copy of Greene''s introductory letter to Wagner of July 31, 1974. Shows folds, else very good. WITH: T.L.S. in German, 1p. oblong 8vo., Hamburg, Nov. 25, 1974, to William Greene, enclosing a 3pp. 4to. typed response to the questions that Greene posed in their initial correspondence, in part: "... I heard of Donitz only after WWI. Among the lieutenants he was considered a very capable naval officer and was generally considered to have a great future ahead of him... My personal impressions substantiated him as a very clear, capable and self-confident personality, with a gift for personal sincerity... It was only after being ordered to the Naval Department as Ia of the Operations Section in April 1939, and especially from the beginning of the war that I have dealt with him more often. After his promotion to Commander in Chief of the Navy on Jan. 31, 1943, I had personal contact with him in my position as Chief of Operations of the Navy Command in connection with daily situation discussions and all other important presentations in other areas in which I had to participate..." Wagner goes on to share more information about his and Donitz''s imprisonment during the Nuremberg trials, and to share a detailed timeline of his life and military career. He signs at the conclusion of the cover letter in blue ink, and executes several ink emendations in the body of both documents. Also present with the letter are its original transmittal envelope, Greene''s manuscript translation, and a retained copy of Greene''s letter to Wagner of Oct. 8, 1974. Shows folds, else very good. Two pieces.

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September 13, 2017 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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