UBB.threads Forums General Militaria Names, Documents, Photos and Translation Forum On This Day in History....

Adolf Hitler wrote a festive greeting card to his number one soldier. Sending his best wishes to he and his wife Lisa. His ever eternal thanks for all that he has done...



Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel signs a surrender document at Soviet headquarters in Berlin, May 9, 1945. The Soviets had insisted that a second ceremonial signing take place in Soviet-occupied Berlin.

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A Merry Xmas to one and all wherever you may be in the world!

I hope Santa produces the goods you so desire.

Thought I'd show this card on an anniversary and for all those that may not have had the chance to view.

Stay safe,

Davey

Awesome piece Davey! Thank you 4 posting. Hoping you have a Merry Christmas as well.
Cheers, Pauli

Cheers to you also Pauli!

Many thanks for posting your reply of appreciation, much appreciated.

I've never been to Alabama but I sure would love to. I think I'll add to list of all places to visit before I venture toward the next plain.

Stay safe,

Davey

Hi Davey,

That is one impressive unit ! I'm wondering if the card would have been produced by Frieda Thiersch & Co.?

It's a brilliant example of graphic design, printing and finishing, I'd love to study it under a loupe for a day or so, as I've never seen one before..? Have you ever seen another example like it, or something similar? Another
year perhaps? There's just so much going on there, so much to take in, really quite overwhelming ...

Wherever did you find this document? I'd definitely enjoy hearing anything additionally that you could tell us about it, please.

Thanks mate!

And a very Merry Christmas to all ...

Bill Warda

Hi there Bill!

Thank you very much for a reply of gratitude and interest Bill and am glad you like it.

The card was produced by Hoffmann. Not only was he Hitler's photographer but he also ran stationery. Eva worked as an apprentice and this is how they met. Hitler paid a visit, Eva slipped a note into his jacket pocket whilst it hung on the coatstand.

It's a fantastic piece. All the colours are still rich as it's on top quality acid free card. I suppose it could not be any other really.

What is not seen is the remnants of gold leaf around the edges. There is a slight discolouring only where the card folds at the centre.

I don't know if you have noticed but Keitel has acknowledged receipt the same day it be written. Hitler was in Berlin at this time with Keitel and his other upper echelons.

The card was probably produced months before Xmas with the intention of them being sent from his home as Obersalzberg is printed upon the card.

A friend of mine is a professor (since retired), spent all his life in the drudges of Liverpool University. He lectured on European history from 1850 onwards. Early days of research would take him to visit and interview people that knew and worked alongside Adolf.

One person that he did interview was Julius Schaub. When the interview concluded, Julius handed this to Brian as a momento of their acquaintance. Interesting to hear that Hitler never ever lost his temper. The only time you knew he wasn't happy with something, he would throw a pencil down on the map or similar acts. He could also draw a perfect circle with his right hand, you could place a compass to it.

Brian kept the card all those years in his locker at the university and would show his students. When he retired, he gave it to me.

Schaub was responsible for burning all Hitler's personal documents, birth cert etc.

So, the card is linked to three, top wartime figureheads.

Davey






Birth: Aug. 20, 1898
Death: Dec. 27, 1967



German SS Major General and Adjutant to German Dictator Adolf Hitler. Born in Munich, Germany, he joined the Nazi Party in October of 1920, as its 81st member. In November 1923, he participated in the Munich Putsch, Hitler's failed attempt to take power in Bavaria (when the Nazi Party later came to power, they awarded the Blood Order to each participant in the Munich Putsch, it becomes one of the Nazi Party's top awards). As a personal Aide to SA Group Leader Wilhelm Brückner, Schaub had access to the early years of the Nazi Party hierarchy, and especially to Adolf Hitler. Brückner became Adjutant to Hitler in 1930, but ten years later, in October 1940, he was fired for having an argument with Hitler's house manager, Kannenberg. After Brückner's dismissal from the Nazi inner circle, Brückner's aide, Julius Schaub, was appointed to become Hitler's personal Adjutant. While highly intelligent and extremely loyal to Hitler and the principles of the Nazi Party, Schaub was never considered an intellectual, and most of the Nazi's top inner circle thought that they could control him. But his devoted loyalty to Hitler assured him his position, and it is from him that much of the knowledge of Hitler's psychological condition during the last years of World War II is known. Schaub also provided much information of the inner workings of the top leaders of the Nazi Party during the war years. On April 22, 1945, Hitler ordered Schaub to leave the Berlin bunker and go to Hitler's home in Obersalzberg to destroy all of Hitler's personal records and documents, an order he obeyed. At the end of the war, Schaub was arrested by the American Army near Berchtesgaden, and was interned until 1949. During this time, he was investigated for war crimes, but was never taken to trial since he never actually participated in any war crimes, and eventually he was released. After his release, he operated a pharmacy in Munich, until his death in 1967.


Hitler and Schaub....

Davey,

A brilliant story and an absolutely fabulous
thing to have in one's collection. I'm really glad to hear that it's yours, too, wow!

One of the neatest things I've had the pleasure to see in a long while. A man could run out of superlatives on this one ...

Kind regards and thanks for sharing this very special and unique item with all of us, sort of an "extra-special" Christmas treat for me.

Best!

Bill

Bill,

Thank you very much for that my friend, very much appreciated. Nice to read it has 'made your Christmas' Bill.

It sure is a fine talking point to write the very least.

I was thinking of putting on loan to the Imperial War Museum in London. They have a super WW2 leg at the museum. As you enter the dimly lit section, you are hit with Hitler's speeches and huge images of troops marching at night with flamed torches.



Have a great Xmas Bill and thanks again for taking time to acknowledge the item in question.

All the best,

Davey

Now that's cool. Thanks for the pictures Davey.

Merry Christmas

Hi Eric,

Merry Xmas to you also. Did you have a great banquet?

Thanks for replying Eric and for appreciation of the post.

Best rgds,

Davey

Hi Davey:

An outstanding post. Thanks for for making the effort and sharing it with all of us.

Merry Christmas & have a happy New Year!

Regards,

Ross Kelbaugh
www.ssdaggers.com

Davey, super piece thanks for showing.

All the best from downunder.

That's an outstanding piece you have there Davey.
Simply breathtaking!
The background information that you've provided is fascinating.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Hi Ross, Slayer and Rob,

How the very devil?

Thank you for hitting the keys and replying with appreciative words of thanks. Nice to read replies from fellow members far and wide.

Rob ma good friend, I can always count on your goodself and we'll have a PM chat soon if not sooner.

Take care all,

Davey