In Spain, Adolf Hitler’s telegram in which he seems to have shown his first doubt about the victory of World War Two is now available.
It was written on January 2, 1942. This came just days after the Soviets defeated the Nazis in Battle of Moscow, a crucial turning point in the war.
Hitler sent the new year’s greetings to Munoz Grandes, a Spanish politician and general who led the Blue Division of volunteers in Spain that fought for Hitler.
Hitler inked the draft copy with bold pen and added the handwritten phrase “come what may” to the text. Experts called this a “seed of doubt” about Germany’s shifting fortunes.
The correction and the final letter were sent to the Russian government on January 2, 1942, just five days after his army fled Moscow following a nearly two-month-long German attempt at taking the Russian capital.
Spain has seen a telegram from Adolf Hitler, in which Hitler appears to be showing his first “seed of doubt” about World War Two victory. In pencil, the Fuhrer added to his letter “Come what may”
Battle of Moscow occurred at the close of Operation Barbarossa. It was a significant setback for Nazis because the Soviet Union stopped Hitler from advancing eastward.
Hitler typed the letter (pictured below) just days before they were overthrown by the Soviets during the Battle of Moscow.
It was the crucial moment that Soviet forces were able to resist an invasion by Germany, and it was called “The Battle of Moscow”.
Hitler may have been contemplating the imminent defeat at the time Hitler wrote the letter.
Munoz was later appointed deputy prime Minister under General Franco. He wrote: “Together with thoughts which go to my own nation, I wish Germany total victory over its enemies in the year that has just begun.
“The present hardships can only affirm my faith in the ultimate victory. My sole desire is for the relationship between the two countries to become deeper and more intimate even at great sacrifices.
Munoz later became deputy prime Minister under General Franco and wrote Hitler a letter of New Year’s greetings (pictured).
Amazing documents such as Hitler’s Telegram (pictured) are available for purchase at International Autograph Auctions, Malaga, Spain
Manuscript notes show the telegram was received at Wolfsschanze, known as the Wolf’s Lair, which served as Hitler’s Eastern Front military HQ in the Masurian woods in modern-day Poland, on January 1 at 9pm.
The Luftwaffe officer Colonel Nicolaus Von Below submitted the document to Hitler on the next day. He served as Hitler’s adjutant.
Hitler replied, “I am grateful for your kind wishes for the new year.”
“I’m certain” [come what may]We will continue to fight our enemies as we have so far. And that will bring us the final victory.
I write to you in gratitude and respect for the achievements of my country.
Munoz added, “I ask for your excellence to ensure that we do not make any sacrifices for the ultimate victory of our unites arms.”
“We are aware of what we fight for, and we have followed your orders since Grafenwoehr. Acceptance with the owed mercy
In a second note, Munoz, who commanded the volunteer Blue Division in Spain, said his fighters are following Hitler’s orders ‘without hesitation’
It was the Battle of Moscow that marked an important moment in Soviet resistance to German invaders.
German tanks are stationed in Matrenino near Russia in November 1941, months before the end of the Battle of Moscow
Hitler, furious about Moscow not being secured just weeks before, fired Walther von Braunitsch, his commander-in-chief, and assumed control of the Wehrmacht.
These fascinating documents are now available for purchase at the International Autograph Auctions of Malaga in Spain.
Richard Davie of the auction house specialist said that this was a fascinating Telegram Hitler prepared for Munoz Grandes. He is a General who served as vice prime minister under Francisco Franco.
“We think of Hitler often as a man strong enough to not consider defeat. But here, for first time, it seems that he has a doubt about the possibility of winning the war.
“Just two days later, the Battle of Moscow was over. This victory was huge for Soviet forces. He had to have been aware that he would lose.
“There is something about inserting these words, “come what may”, that makes the statement less confident, powerful, and more powerful than he intended.
“It seems as if the man is afraid that all is lost.”
Red Army soldiers move on enemy Nazis in Volokolamsk at one of the pivotal turning points of the war
Hitler responded to General Munoz’s January 1 telegram. It mentioned the sorry state of the German invasion.
Also included in sale is a telegram that reads: “Together, with thoughts which go to my country, I wish Germany victory over all our enemies in this year which just began.”
“The present hardships can only affirm my faith in the ultimate victory.”
Operation Barbarossa, also known as the invasion of Russia began June 22, 1941.
Hitler had a plan to win quickly, and he did so within just four months of the worst winter cold.
However, Soviet forces were able to resist the Wehrmacht’s attempts and there was a lack of warm clothes. The Wehrmacht reached Moscow early November with a stiff resistance.
From 1941 to 1942, the European winter was extremely cold. The Germans weren’t equipped to withstand the freezing temperatures.
There were 730,000 deaths and over 130,000 frostbite cases.
The telegrams are expected to sell for £3,000 in an online auction on Friday.
What was Operation Barbarossa? Operation Barbarossa was the start of a campaign that would determine WWII.
Operation Barbarossa, Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union in an attempt to protect future German interests was started on June 22nd 1941.
This was the start of an important campaign that would eventually decide the fate of WWII.
Hitler saw the Soviet Union and sought to eliminate its armies and capture its wealth and slave its people.
His belief was that the east was essential to his victory and the continued prosperity of his country. The strength of his commitment led to him sending a large number troops to support the invasion.
Three and a quarter million German and Axis troops were killed in the attack along the front of 1,800 miles. This represented around 80 percent of the German army.
How German forces advanced in the initial stages of Operation Barbarossa, August 1941. Three army units under the command of the same commanders launched the German offensive. It took the Soviet leadership by complete surprise as it took place on a front of 2,900 km.
Seventeen Panzer Divisions, the most destructive in history, were deployed. The Panzer division consisted of approximately 3,400 tanks, which was supported by 2,700 Luftwaffe. This was the most powerful invasion force ever.
The German military was at its best and invading Russia gave it the greatest combat capability.
Panzer armies, which were leading large Soviet forces in Minsk or Smolens’ encirclements at Minsk during the initial months of campaign, led German forces that dug into Soviet-occupied territory.
But, the Germans severely underestimated their opponent and the weather they would face on their journey to Moscow.
The German force eventually reached Moscow, but was repelled by Soviet forces. They had to retreat slowly from 1942’s early months.
Moscow was an important political and military target of the Axis, but the Red Army held firm after strengthening their defense with reserve armies and troops from Siberia.
The German forces were forced to retreat 150 miles away from Moscow by counter-offensive strikes.
This led eventually to Germany’s collapse of its northern front. It culminated in Russian troops pushing into Germany. In 1945, they took Berlin, declaring victory over the German army.