Description:

WILHELM KEITEL
(1882 - 1946) German field marshal and army chief of staff under Adolf Hitler, convicted of war crimes and executed at Nuremburg. Heavily annotated typed memo signed "Keitel" and also initialed, 2pp. large 4to., [Berlin], April 15, 1945, stamped "Secret", also signed by the memo's author, unidentified. The memo concerns the removal of "K-Stoff", methyl chloroformate, which was used as a rocket fuel. Unfortunately, if the compound is burned, it releases phosgene, a deadly gas widely used in trench warfare during World War I. The memo mentions that the remove of the chemical cannot keep pace with the rapid advances of Allied forces. Warehouses are in the line of fire from both sides, and bombardment may cause release of gas affecting "friend and foe". He also states that K-Stoff will undoubtedly fall into the hands of the enemy, and the combination of these possibilities may give the Allies the opportunity to blame Germany for accumulating and using poison gas. In a worst case scenario, the Allies might choose to use their own gas and with their superior air strength the result would be "disadvantageous to our warfare". The author concludes that all K-Stoff reserves should be immediately segregated but in any event the Allied powers must be made aware of its presence and the Germans' intention not to use it for purposes of gas warfare. On the front of the report, Keitel writes notes that he had spoken with Hitler on April 16th and had acknowledged his question, and the difficult text may mention that Hitler ordered that a reserve of fuel be held. Initialed by Keitel. On the verso, Keitel writes several paragraphs beneath the end of the report and signs "Keitel". He comments on several sections of the report, basically despairing of the situation. He states that it will be impossible to avoid having the deadly fuel in either side's line of fire, nor does he feel there will be any way to avoid the Allies' blaming Germany for starting the use of gas warfare. He also accepts the fact that the enemy may use gas to quickly end the war should phosgene gas escape. As to notifying the enemy of the existence and location of the fuel stockpiles, Keitel relates that Hitler had denied any such exchange of information. Keitel also refuses to permit the Foreign Office to initiate communications with the West ("Nein! K.") and concludes: "... it begs the question, how much does the enemy know regarding the locations of the K-Stoff warehouses...they already know.". Surprising content considering that Hitler is believed to have foresworn all use of chemical weapons - he himself had been gassed during his service in World War I.

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September 10, 2013 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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