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HEINRICH HIMMLER AND PAUL HAUSSER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
HEINRICH HIMMLER AND PAUL HAUSSER
A superb set of documents, a letter sent from the field by HEINRICH HIMMLER to Paul Hausser just before the Kharkov offensive urging on Hausser and his men, a printed after-action report on the Kharkov campaign with text and maps annotated by Hausser, and two private 1951s report sent to Hausser. Himmler's superb content letter on his "Reichsfuhrer-SS" letterhead is 1p. 4to., written from his field headquarters on Jan. 5, 1943, just as Hausser is preparing for his decisive attack on Kharkov with the II SS Panzer Korps. Himmler writes, in part: "...My dear Hausser!...You are entering with your corps into a great and difficult battle. A great deal relies on your intervening attack. I know that both [he corrects this to "3"] elite divisions which contain the best of German manhood cannot be led by a better, more sure and courageous hand than yours. I wish you and all of our brave SS men for the well-being of Germany success and luck with their weapons...". He closes in holograph: "Heil Hitler! In loyal friendship Your H. Himmler". The document is docketed with tagebuch number at top: "11/8/43g". The Himmler letter is tipped to the front of a paperbound book: "SS-Panzer Corps in the Battle between the Donets and Dnieper", [n.p., n.d.], 24pp. 8" x 11 1/2", featuring eight color maps, seven of which fold-out. The German text covers the critical period from mid-February until the end of March, 1943, which followed the Russian recapture of Stalingrad, Kursk and Rostov. On the title page, Hausser writes in German: "Compare to Manstein publication I/56..." and adds another reference before signing in pencil. Hausser has made multiple additional notes on that page and within referring to the Waffen-SS, various generals and officers, adds the names of military units and makes changes to some of the maps. Hausser also adds a paragraph critical of another report on the battle at conclusion. The first 1951 report, 2pp. 4to., concerns von Manstein at Stalingrad. Manstein was tried in the U.K. for war crimes and this report discusses his trial and the results. The second report, 2pp. 4to., 1951 discusses what blame may be placed upon generals for alleged war crimes in light of what is happening at the current time in Korea. During what is commonly called the Third Battle of Kharkov or the Donets Campaign, Hausser commanded the II SS Panzer Korps and was largely responsible for the capture of Kharkov after four days of house-to-house fighting. The offensive cost the Red Army almost 90,000 casualties and opened the salient which brought about the battle of Kursk.