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HITLER, ADOLF

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HITLER, ADOLF
(1889 - 1945) Fuhrer of Germany and Nazi Party leader, Hitler's bloody rise to power, his military seizure of most of Europe and North Africa and his genocidal racial policies culminated in suicide in his Berlin bunker as Russian troops approached. Highly important D.S. 2pp. folio, Fuhrer Headquarters at Wolf's Lair, Rastenburg, Jan. 21, 1943. In this rare "befehl", or order, Hitler reorganizes civil and military divisions in the Ukraine following a series of decisive losses, on the same day that Paulus and Manstein unsuccessfully sought permission to surrender Stalingrad, and only nine days before they were ultimately forced to surrender that besieged city. Hitler redefines territory in and about Kiev, the Crimea, Dnjepetrowsk and Nikolajew as being: "the Theater of War of the Army". The second part of the order instructs that the armed forces chief of the Ukraine is to now be regarded as the chief commander of the army remaining under his command, and officers under it will be under his direct command. The third and final part of the order states that civil service personnel are to remain in the Ukraine, and the chief of the Army General Staff and the commander-in-chief of the army group may also appoint additional staff. Despite Hitler's efforts, Stalin's use of massed troops undertaking suicide charges eventually weakened and broke the German occupation of the Ukraine. The document is additionally initialed on the final page by ALFRED JODL (1890-1946) and WILHELM KEITEL (1889-1945). An important document, signed by the top three leaders of Nazi Germany.