FIELD MARSHAL MONTGOMERY OF ALAMEIN (BERNARD MONTGOMERY) - TYPESCRIPT SIGNED 1973 - HFSID 1517

MONTGOMERY OF ALAMEIN
Typescript talking about meeting with the Russians and dividing Germany into four zones after World War II
Typescript signed: "Montgomery of Alamein / 1973", 3 pages, 8½x11 parchment-like paper, separate sheets. Partially dated to 1973. Headed: "Difficulties with the Russians Begin/By Montgomery of Alamein". 8-cent Eisenhower stamp affixed at upper margin of first page, postmarked Washington, D.C., May 10, 1971, FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. Montgomery has signed to the right of the Eisenhower postage stamp. Begins: "When I left Zhukov I went at once to visit Eisenhower at his villa; I wanted to discuss with him the result of my talk with Zhukov and the trouble which seemed to be looming ahead. It was obvious that we would not be able to do any business with the Russians until we had withdrawn back within our own zones. The boundaries of these zones had been agreed by the European Advisory Commission in the London on the 12th of September 1944, and its findings had been approved by the three Governments. At the Yalta Conference the following statement had been issued by the Prime Minister, President Roosevelt and Marshal Stalin on the 11th February 1945: 'Under the agreed plans the forces of the Three Powers will each occupy a separate zone of Germany. Co-ordinated administration and control has been provided for under the plan through a Central Control Commission consisting of the Supreme Commanders of the Three Powers with Headquarters in Berlin. It has been agreed that France should be invited by the Three Powers, if se should so desire, to take a zone of occupation, and to participate as a fourth member of the Council Commission. The limits of the French Zone will be agreed by the Four Governments concerned through their representatives on the European Advisory Commission.' The agreement regarding the boundaries of the French Zone were not decided by the European Advisory Committee until the 26th July 1945, i.e. until after the Potsdam Conference had assembled on the 16th July…." After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones: American, British, French and Russian. Berlin, geographically in the Russian Zone, was administered by the four occupying powers. In 1948, the Soviets withdrew and established its own command in East Berlin. In May 1949, the zones administered by the Western Allies (U.S., U.K., France) became West Germany. In October 1949, the Soviet sector became East Germany. On August 23, 1990, the East Germany parliament agreed to formal unification with West Germany which occurred on October 3, 1990. Bernard Law Montgomery (1887-1976) was the first Allied general to inflict a decisive defeat on a German army. On October 23, 1942, he launched an attack on Rommel's forces at El Alamein in northern Egypt. When their lines broke, he pursued the German troops into Libya and beyond. On November 10, 1942, Montgomery was knighted and promoted to full General. In January 1944, he returned to Britain to lead the land forces under the command of General Eisenhower in the Normandy landing. In 1946, Montgomery became 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Slightly creased. Thumbprint-size smudge at upper left blank margin of first page. Otherwise, fine condition.