Description:

HIMMLER, KEITEL AND POHL AWARD AUGUST FRANK
A rare association of SS officers and generals combine in a pair of documents to recommending a war criminal for one of Germany's highest awards. The first document is 4pp. legal folio, Berlin, Jan. 24, 1944, recommending August Frank be awarded the German Cross in Silver. The document states that Frank is Chief of the Economic-Administration Office and from the beginning of the war Chief of the Management Office of the Waffen-SS. It mentions his other posts, and notes that Frank had always been "...recognized fo rsimplifying administyration for the field troops and also in the Home war effort...accomplished multiple unusual tasks in the military war administration...". The document asks that Frank now be awarded the decoration: "...for distinguishing himself in the accomplishment of special important war efforts...". The recommendation is boldly signed by OSWALD POHL (1892-1951) who was in charge of the organization of the concentration camps, deciding on the distribution of detainees to the various camps and the "rental" of detainees for slave labor until 1944. The cover page of the document is again signed by Pohl, and by Field Marshal WILHELM KEITEL (1882-1946), Wehrmacht chief of staff, convicted of war crimes and executed at Nuremberg. A separate undated document, filed with the above, is signed by HEINRICH HIMMLER (1900- 1945), Reichsführer of the SS. Himmler states: "...I completely endorse the recommendation and agree with the honor...". Both documents bear file holes at left, else very good. AUGUST FRANK (1898-1984) was a subordinate of Pohl and also heavily involved in the administration of the concentration camps and the use of slave labor. Frank escaped the hangman as the court believed his claim that he was involved only after murders had occurred. Nevertheless, he received a life sentence at Nuremberg. Overall very good.

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December 8, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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