Description:

HANS SPEIDEL
(1897 - 1984) German general, served in Russian and notably at Stalingrad, later with Rommel in France. Typed D.S., 2pp. 4to., Aug. 8, 1970, Speidel's notes and commentary on certain passages of a book entitled "Decision at Kharkov", about the pivotal Eastern Front battle. In part: "... The 8th Italian Army was originally deployed to the northern front on the Don River under the command of Col. Gen. Italo Garibaldi... but it was already breached... as I arrived in Starobelsk on Jan. 10th, 1943... a mass attack against the Hungarian Army... took place on January 13th... your remark about the Second Hungarian Army that 'quickly capitulated' does not conform to historical facts... [because of the mass attack] the High Command of the 8th Italian Army had to relocate the command post in the night between January 19th and 20th back to... Chuhuiv..." On the second page, Speidel lists the German units attached to the 8th Italian Army. He states that the remaining forces of this army had to be withdrawn and reorganized under the command of Gen. Hubert Lanz, who assumed command from Garibaldi on Feb. 1. Speidel states that Hitler did not want to give up Kharkov, no matter the cost, despite the advice of Lanz and his other commanders. On Feb. 10th, Lanz received contradicting orders from Hitler to defend Kharkov while simultaneously mounting an attack on the Russians. He denies knowledge of an uprising within the city, and states that an assault was carried out by fresh enemy troops on Feb. 14th. He concludes by agreeing with Lanz's replacement, Gen. Kempf, that Lanz served as a "role model for all". The document features several emendations within the text, and is signed at the conclusion in blue ink. Folds, staple holes at upper left, else very good.

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August 23, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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