[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: JODL ALFRED (1890-1946)

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: JODL ALFRED (1890-1946)

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: JODL ALFRED (1890-1946) German Generaloberst, Chief of the Operations Staff of the German Armed Forces High Command 1939-45. An historically significant A.L.S., Jodl, (and also signed Alfred Jodl at the head of the first page), two pages, folio, n.p. (Nuremberg), 22nd October 1945, to the Major of the Royal British Army who is charged with the retaining of Defence Counsels [i.e. Airey Neave], in German. Jodl states that he would like to quote several extracts from letters which he has received from his wife regarding the appointments of a defence counsel, in part, '6.9. I make a most fervent plea that you will not undervalue the importance of a good lawyer for your defence. Dr. Sack, Berlin, and Prof. Grimm, Muenster, have been especially recommended to me. 25.9. I have been advised that a good criminal lawyer would perhaps be better than a civil lawyer…..26.9. I have been able to find out that if we want to retain privately a legal counsel that we shall have to pay him ourselves. From what? I suggest that we just let the Americans appoint the German counsel. If you want to retain one privately, perhaps I can find someone who will take the case without pay. I'll have to get at that right away, so that no time will be lost later'. Jodl concludes his letter by remarking 'In answer, I wrote my wife that I should like to have Prof. Mitteis, Rostock. I don't know whether my wife ever received this letter, and. If so, whether she will be able to get in touch with Prof. Mitteis. The Court should do that'. Neatly inlaid and with several file holes to the upper edge, only very slightly affecting a few words of text. Some very light, minor age toning, about VG

Airey Neave (1916-1979) British Lieutenant Colonel, the first British prisoner-of-war to succeed in escaping from Oflag IV-C at Colditz Castle during World War II. After the war Neave served with the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremberg Trials. As a well-known war hero (as well as being a qualified lawyer who spoke fluent German) Neave was honoured with the role of reading the indictments to the Nazi leaders on trial.

After the end of World War II, Jodl was indicted at the Nuremberg Trials on charges of conspiracy to commit crimes against peace, planning, initiating and waging wars of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The principal charges against him related to his signing of the criminal Commando and Commissar Orders. Found guilty on all charges, he was sentenced to death and executed in Nuremberg in 1946.

Provenance: The present document originated from the archives of Dr. Hans Werner who was responsible for directing the printing of the Record of the Trial of Major War Criminals in 42 volumes and in three different languages (English, French & German) immediately following the Nuremberg Trials.