Lot 377

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Description:

(1905 – 1980) German army officer and Knights Cross recipient who attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler by suicide bombing on 21 March 1943. The plan failed when Hitler left early, but Gersdorff was undetected. He also supplied Stauffenberg with the explosives used in the July 20, 1944 bomb attempt. VON GERDORFF’S ACCOUNT OF HIS PLAN TO KILL HITLER WITH A SUICIDE BOMB Historic content T.L.S., 2pp. 4to., Koln, Aug. 24, 1959 in English to an American researcher. In part: “…the following account of the March 1943 attempt on Adolf Hitler’s life…Army Group Centre had arranged an exhibition of war pictures, models, etc…Gen. Schmundt had informed us that it was Hitler’s intention to open this exhibition as part of the celebrations of Heroes’ Memorial Day…Goering and Himmler…were to be present…this was a chance that would never recur…In reply to Henning von Tresckow’s question, I said I was prepared to undertake the assassination attempt…we had no ten-minute fuses available…Fabian von Schlabendorff…delivered the fuses to me…I had flown with Field Marshal Model, who was to represent v. Kluge…” Gersdorff then describes the program for the day, which included a speech by Hitler and a brief tour, and also describes how Hitler’s arrival time would be changed at the last minute as a matter of security: “…He [Schmundt] did not dream he was thus helping a would-be assassin…” He continues to describe some of the advance planning, then notes: “…The next day I carried in each of my overcoat pockets a bomb with a ten minute fuse. I intended to stay as close to Hitler as I could, so that he at least would be blown to bits…When Hitler, with Goering, Doenitz, Himmler…von Bock and the adjutants entered…Schmundt came across to me and said only eight or ten minutes were to be spent [on the tour]…This last minute change of schedule,. Which was typical of Hitler’s subtle security methods, had once again saved him his life…” Fine condition. Sold with a small photo showing Gersdorff and captioned by him on verso to indicate that other present included Speidel and Rommel during a visit to the Atlantic Wall.



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November 19, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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