GRAND ADMIRAL KARL DONITZ - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 06/17/1978 - HFSID 283427

GRAND ADMIRAL KARL DÖNITZ
World War II German Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz signed this letter, typed in translated German on his personalized stationery, in 1978. It says, in part, "I was and am of the opinion that I was unjustly convicted in Nuremberg."
Typed letter signed "Dönitz" in blue ink.1 page, 8¼x11½, on Dönitz's personalized stationery. June 17, 1978. Written in German, translated: "Dear Mr. Granat! Thank you for your letter of 7.9.I was and am of the opinion that I was unjustly convicted in Nuremberg. I have listed the grounds for this, as my reply to the question 'What do you think of the Nuremberg trials and your conviction?' in my book called 'German Strategy on the Seas in the 2nd World War. The Grossadmiral's Answer to 40 Questions.'. This book was printed in German by Bernard & Graefe, 8000 Munich, Hospitalstrasses 5 and in France by 'La Table Ronde', Paris. I find the representation in the book 'Doenitz at Nuremberg: A Re-Appraisal' as correct and feel honored by it. If you have any further questions, please write to me. With kind regards". During World War II, German Admiral Dönitz (1891-1980, born in Grünau-bei-Berlin, Germany) developed the idea of fighting in wolf packs. In January of 1943, Hitler named Dönitz to replace Erich Raeder as Commander in Chief of the German Navy.In that capacity, Dönitz gave permission for a radically improved U-boat to be built in 1944. Working closely with Albert Speer, the Minister of Armaments, Germany was producing 42 of these all-electric boats a month by 1945, but it was too late to make an impact on the outcome of the war. As the war was coming to a close, Hitler selected Dönitz to succeed him as Führer. After forming a new government, Führer Dönitz negotiated Germany's surrender on May 5, 1945. At the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, Dönitz was found guilty of war crimes and was sentenced to ten years in prison. He was 79 when he died on Christmas Eve in 1980. Lightly toned and creased. Signature is slightly shaky but legible. Soiling and rust stains from paper clip in top left corner. Light tear at bottom edge. Folded in quarters and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.