Lot 393

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Description:


An important grouping of more than 20 original and retained copies of documents, letters, orders, notices, etc., almost all marked 'TOP SECRET', 'SECRET', or 'CONFIDENTIAL', originating from the files of American Consul to Hamburg and Minister Plenipotentiary to Austria JOHN G. ERHARDT (1889-1951). Some of the documents appear to have been generated directly from, or for, the European Advisory Commission (EAC), created at the Tehran Conference to make recommendations, including surrender terms to be presented to the Germans. On 5 June 1945 the European Advisory Commission assumed briefly full control over Germany. Members included General Dwight Eisenhower for the US, Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery for Britain, and Marshal Georgy Zhukov for the Soviet Union. Later, after Potsdam, the documents more carefully set forth the future administration of Austria under the four Allied occupiers. The first document, Sep. 25, 1944, contemplates Austria being occupied by three powers (France would be added later) and who should be the American High Commissioner. This and an Oct. 14, 1944 memorandum sent to Truman both recommend Erhardt. A 4pp. Dec. 12, 1944 retained copy from the U.S. London Embassy forwards the Soviet plan for the occupation of Austria and a segmented Vienna. A Dec. 1, 1944 document sets forth a chrnology of "United States Policy Towards Austria" from March, 1933, with a 'SECRET' section stating American intentions of not recognizing an Austrian government in exile, considering having the French join in the occupation, 'eradication' of German influence, and no reparations for Austria's account; Feb. 1, 1945 report on the military occupation of Austria; several 2pp. detailed reports on the establishment of the U.S. Group Control Council; disputes with British Gen. Alexander as to the focus of control for the administration of Austria, ie: in-country or from Germany; a 5pp. 'Draft Agreement on Control Machinery in Austria', stamped 'Secret', essentially a broad outline for Allied control of the country; a 'TOP SECRET' 6pp. legal folio American report on the 'U.K. Delegation's Proposed Draft Agreement on Allied Control Machinery', Feb. 1, 1945; a 26pp. legal folio 'Directive to Commander in Chief U.S. Forces of Occupation [Gen. Mark Clark] Regarding the Military Government of Austria', unsigned, presumably issued by the E.A.C.; an analysis of the British proposal; 'Summary Statements of U.S. Policy Regarding Austria', 112pp. 4to., May 12, 1945, issued by the 'Political Adviser's Office', annotated by Erhardt, and variously marked 'SECRET' and 'TOP SECRET', an important, very early policy book examining American interests in Austria, pending questions requiring Allied agreement, the Renner provisional government, Russian influence, restoration of a national government, 'disposal of German armed forces', war criminals, economic issues, etc.; 'Gazette of the Allied Commission for Austria', including printing of the Control Agreement, June 28, 1946; a 1949 summary of treaty negotiations; and much more. It would be impossible to even begin to describe the level of detail in these documents which foresaw the partition of Austria over six months before the German surrender and had its administration virtually in place. Overall very good.

John G. Erhard served as Consul in Hamburg and would later serve in London under Ambassador Joseph Kennedy. During the war, he was in a high-level State Department position in Washington, where he was involved in the planning of the surrender of Germany and occupation of Germany and Austria. After the war, he served as de facto Ambassador to Austria while Gen. Mark Clark led American occupation military forces. He would later be appointed Ambassador to South Africa.

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October 28, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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