GRAND ADMIRAL KARL DONITZ - TYPESCRIPT SIGNED 03/20/1979 - HFSID 1375

KARL DÖNITZ
Souvenir typescript of Karl Dönitz's authorization for the surrender of Nazi Germany's armed forces to the Allies during World War II, signed and dated by Dönitz in blue ink in 1979, one year before his death. Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies the day the original document was signed by Dönitz.
Typescript signed "Dönitz/20. 3. 79" in blue ink.1 page, 8½x9¾. In German, translated: "Please give the preceding reference number, the date, and a short content with your reply. I authorize General Fieldmarshal Keitel as head of the Supreme Command of the German Armed Forces and simultaneously as Supreme Commander of the Army; Admiral General Von Friedeburg as Supreme Commander of the Navy, Colonel General Stumpf as Deputy of the Supreme Commander of the Air Force. For the ratification of the Unconditional Surrender of the German Armed Forces for the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expedition Forces and the Soviet High Command." This is a souvenir typescript of Dönitz's authorization for Nazi Germany's armed forces to surrender to the Allies during World War II. The original document was dated at "Headquarters" on May 7, 1945, the day Germany signed its surrender treaty with the Allies. During WWII, German Admiral Karl Dönitz (1891-1980, born in Grünau-bei-Berlin, Germany) developed the idea of fighting in wolf packs. In January 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. Paper clip impression near top left corner. Folded thrice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.