[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45. [MUNOZ GRANDES AGUSTIN]: (1896-1970)

[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45. [MUNOZ GRANDES AGUSTIN]: (1896-1970)

‘come what may’ – the Fuhrer expresses a seed of doubt

[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45. [MUNOZ GRANDES AGUSTIN]: (1896-1970) Spanish General who fought as an officer of the Wehrmacht during World War II and was commander of the Blue Division 1941-42. Knight's Cross winner with Oak Leaves. Munoz Grandes later served as Deputy Prime Minister of Spain (1962-67) under Francisco Franco. An historically significant group of original World War II date documents comprising, in chronological order, an original telegram (received copy) sent by Agustin Munoz Grandes, one page, 4to, n.p., 1st January 1942, to the Fuhrer of the Great German Reich, in German. The text reads, in full, 'Together with thoughts that go to my own country, I wish Germany complete victory over our enemies in the year which has just begun. The hardships of the present moment can only confirm my confidence in the final victory, and my sole wish is that the relationship between our two countries may become still deeper and more intimate, even if at the cost of heavy sacrifices'. Various manuscript notes at the head of the telegram indicate that it was received at Wolfsschanze ('The Wolf's Lair') at 21.00 hours on 1st January 1942 and submitted to Hitler the following day by Colonel Nicolaus von Below, who has initialled it in blue indelible pencil; a typed draft of a telegram from Hitler in reply to Munoz Grandes, with a three-word amendment in Hitler's hand, one page, 4to, Fuhrerhauptquartier, 2nd January 1942, in German. Typed on the Fuhrer Typewriter the text reads, in full, 'I was grateful for your good wishes for the New Year. I am certain that, come what may, [the latter three words inserted into the text in Hitler's hand, in bold pencil] our struggle against our enemies will be as successful in future too as it has been so far, and that final victory will be ours. In grateful remembrance of your country, which can be proud of the exploits of its Blue Division, I send you and your soldiers my best wishes'; a second, final typed draft of the same telegram following Hitler's revision to the text, one page, 4to, Fuhrerhauptquartier, 2nd January 1942, to General Munoz Grandes, in German. This final draft is headed Fernschreiben and is initialled to the upper right corner by von Below; and the sent copy of the telegram, one page, 4to, Fuhrer's Headquarters, 2nd January 1942, to General Munoz Grandes, in German. With some manuscript notes to the head of the page, in pencil, indicating that the telegram was handed to the signals office at 12.40 hours on 3rd January 1942 and sent at 13.15 hours on the same day. A fine group of documents of historic interest. Two file holes to the left edge of each document and with additional small staple holes to the upper left corners of each page. Generally about VG, 4 Nicolaus von Below (1907-1983) German Luftwaffe pilot of World War II and Adjutant to Adolf Hitler from 1937-45. Just days after the exchange of the present telegrams, on 7th January 1942, the Battle of Moscow ended with a strategic Soviet victory. It was a major setback for the Germans, and the end of their belief in a swift German victory over the USSR. As a result of the failed offensive, Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch was dismissed as supreme commander of the German Army, with Hitler replacing him in the position. Hitler's manuscript amendment to the text of his telegram would appear to be of some significance and, it could be argued, demonstrated (at least in writing) the first expression of a seed of doubt in his mind as to the eventual outcome of World War II.