Description:

WILHELM BURGDORF
(1895 - 1945) German general and Hitler's Chief Adjutant, escorted Rommel when the latter was forced to commit suicide, and sat on the tribunal that condemned Hermann Fegelein to death. Fine content and association war-date A.N.S. in pencil written at the conclusion of his copy of an SS Security Teletype sent to the man he would condemn to death a few months later, SS Lt. Gen. Hermann Fegelein. The undated message, 2pp. 4to., was sent by Gen. FERDINAND SCHORNER to headquarters in Berlin. Schorner recommends that Major Gen. FRANZ AUGSBERGER, commander of the 20th SS Frontier Division, be awarded the Knight's Cross: "...he succeeded in attacking against tenacious opposition...the north flank of the fortress at Oppeln was secured. Against heavy tank resistance on a bridgehead built over the Neisse...Augsberger established himself...being beaten unmercifully by heavy attacks to his flank by the foe...Neissefront became secure...He is the epitome of high excellence...". At bottom, Burgdorf notes in dark pencil: "Knight's Cross on March 8, 1945 given by Fuhrer. Burgdorf". File holes in left margin, else very good. Schorner personally presented Augsberger with his Knight's Cross on March 8th...on March 10th Augsberger was killed in action near Neustadt during an attempt to break out of Oppeln which had by that time been completely encircled by Soviet forces. Of all the parties named in this document, only Schorner would survive the war - Burgdorf would commit suicide in the Fuhrerbunker following Hitler's lead.Fegelein would be executed following his escape from the Fuhrerbunker in the final days.

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September 27, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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