The letter in which Hitler first doubted he’d win war
A TELEGRAM written by Adolf Hitler which reveals the first time he appeared to realise his Second World War victory was not assured is enthralling historians.
The typed missive was sent as a New Year greeting to a Spanish general fighting for Germany on January 2, 1942 – days before the Nazi leader’s army retreated from its attempt to take Moscow.
Hitler pencilled the phrase “come what may” into a draft – seen by experts as a seed of doubt about Germany’s fortunes.
He wrote: “I am certain that – come what may – our struggle against our enemies will be just as successful in future too as it has been so far, and that final victory will be ours.”
A few days earlier, on December 19, 1941, Hitler became furious that the Russian capital had not been captured and assumed control of the Wehrmacht himself.
The Battle of Moscow marked a key moment when Soviet forces began to repel the German invasion and turn it on its heels.
Collectors are expected to snap up the telegram tomorrow when it is sold by International Autograph Auctions of Malaga.
Its expert Richard Davie said: “This is a fascinating telegram prepared by Hitler for Munoz Grandes, a general who later served as deputy prime minister of Spain under Francisco Franco.
“We often think of Hitler as a strong man who didn’t consider defeat. But here, for the first time, he seems to have a seed of doubt about winning the war.
“Just a couple of days after, the battle of Moscow ended. He must have known he was going to lose.
“There is something about inserting those words, ‘come what may,’ which makes the statement less confident and powerful than he originally intended. It is as if he is worried the battle could be lost.” Hitler was replying to a telegram sent by Munoz Grandes on January 1. That message, also for sale, reads: “The hardships of the present moment can only confirm my confidence in the final victory.”
The invasion of Russia – Operation Barbarossa – began on June 22, 1941.
But stiff resistance from Soviet forces and a shortage of warm clothing meant that when the Wehrmacht neared Moscow in November it was greatly depleted to a particularly bitter winter.
The telegrams are set to fetch £3,000 in the online sale.