Description:


(1891 - 1963) German Waffen-SS general, fought in the French and Russian campaigns in the 18th Army, later replaced Kurt Daluege as head of all German police. Awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Exceptionally rare, fine content war-date D.S., 4pp. sm. folio, Berlin, Feb. 16, 1945, the recommendation that the award of the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords be made to SS-Obergruppenfuhrer and General of the Waffen-SS and Police, OTTO WINKELMANN for his efforts and planning in the overthrow of Horthy's moderate Hungarian government, and likely Skorzeny's kidnapping of Horthy's son as well. The document lists Winkelmann's previous awards and a few personal details, then relates: '...Winkelmann has been employed as a Higher and Police Leader in Hungary since March 19, 1944. As a result of the special conditions in Hungary, this position required a special measure of...political understanding, tact and energy. W. has proven these properties in a way that cannot be surpassed. After no fundamental change in Hungary's attitude towards Germany was to be expected from the former Imperial Regent von Horthy and his government, Lakatocz, he got in touch with the leaders of the parties, with whom he hoped to work as closely as possible with the Reich. In lengthy negotiations, most of which were carried out on his sick bed, he created the prerequisites to prevent the intended betrayal of Hungary from taking effect. The military, police and security police measures in the event of a change of government being carried out by force had been prepared so thoroughly by him that the events of October 16 ran smoothly. The proposed person has therefore played a decisive role..in clearing up the Hungarian situation and thus for the full commitment of Hungary in the struggle against Bolshevism. Thanks to his initiative and prudence, we were able to relocate valuable machinery and materials to protect against bomb attacks...forces of the Ordnungspolizei deployed in Hungary were considerably reinforced by ethnic Germans, so that the Ordnungspolizei formed a reliable support for the military leadership in repelling Russian attacks...' File holes in left margin, lightly toned, else near fine. OTTO WINKELMANN (1894-1977) was an SS-Obergruppenführer, general of the Waffen-SS and police general. For most of the war, he served directly as the the immediate successor to Kurt Daluege. He kept this post until he was transferred to Hungary in March 1944, with his boss changing from August 1943: Wünnenberg followed Daluege, who was leaving for health reasons. On March 19, 1944, Hungary was occupied by German troops. Winkelmann played a key role in the removal of Hungary's head of state, Miklós Horthy . After the interim military government under Prime Minister Géza Lakatos stopped the deportation of Hungarian Jews in late August, 1944, Otto Skorzeny and his commando units kidnapped Horthy's son on October 15 to force Horthy and Lakatos to end the former's government. Horthy then gave a ceasefire declaration for Hungary on the radio, whereupon he was arrested by Skorzeny on October 16.

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October 28, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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