Karl Dönitz Autograph Document Signed, Requesting His Attorney at Nuremberg
Preparing for Nuremberg, Karl Dönitz personally selects his defense counsel
ADS in German, signed "Karl Dönitz," one page both sides, 8 x 12.75, October 30, 1945. Dönitz addresses the "General Secretary of the International Military Tribunal, Court House, Nuremberg," in part (translated): "I wish to have as my defense advocate: 1) Naval Judge Dr. Kranzbühler… or 2) Judge Admiral Dr. Rudolphi," both listed at the High Command of the Navy, Glücksburg near Flensburg. Dönitz continues: "The current addresses of these naval judges can easily be confirmed via the winding-up office of the High Command of the Navy. If neither of these two should be available, I request General Admiral Warzecha, High Command of the Navy, to propose a suitable naval judge to act as my advocate." In very good to fine condition, with the reverse side backed by archival paper, making the last paragraph and signature difficult to read.
Otto Kranzbühler went on to serve as Dönitz's actual defense counsel at trial, delivering one of the most respected legal defenses of the entire Nuremberg proceedings, credited in the years since with helping secure Dönitz's comparatively light ten-year sentence.
Preparing for Nuremberg, Karl Dönitz personally selects his defense counsel
ADS in German, signed "Karl Dönitz," one page both sides, 8 x 12.75, October 30, 1945. Dönitz addresses the "General Secretary of the International Military Tribunal, Court House, Nuremberg," in part (translated): "I wish to have as my defense advocate: 1) Naval Judge Dr. Kranzbühler… or 2) Judge Admiral Dr. Rudolphi," both listed at the High Command of the Navy, Glücksburg near Flensburg. Dönitz continues: "The current addresses of these naval judges can easily be confirmed via the winding-up office of the High Command of the Navy. If neither of these two should be available, I request General Admiral Warzecha, High Command of the Navy, to propose a suitable naval judge to act as my advocate." In very good to fine condition, with the reverse side backed by archival paper, making the last paragraph and signature difficult to read.
Otto Kranzbühler went on to serve as Dönitz's actual defense counsel at trial, delivering one of the most respected legal defenses of the entire Nuremberg proceedings, credited in the years since with helping secure Dönitz's comparatively light ten-year sentence.
