TLS, one page, 6 x 8, Office of the Supreme Commander letterhead, June 8, 1945. Eisenhower responds to a letter from William Pennington Baker in Boston. In full: “Thank you so much for your very understanding letter, written on May 15, and for your personal congratulations on the Allied victory in Europe. It was most thoughtful of you to write so promptly....” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope and a carbon of Baker’s letter to Eisenhower, dated May 15, 1945, which reads, in part: “Sincere congratulations on your mighty victory! You have more than fulfilled the world’s confidence in you.... I want to express to you a thought, because I believe you of all people can give it force. It is this—all are aware of the frailty of human nature, and so that men cannot forget and juveniles may learn at first hand about the unspeakable cruelties that Germany has perpetrated upon civilization, especially in their concentration camps and human incinerators—that the German atrocity films be shown in Germany once each month to hammer it home to them. They must be awakened to the heinousness of the crimes before reform can begin; also that they be shown in all Allied and Allied-occupied countries’ theatres, high schools, and colleges, at least once each five years.... A glaring, disgraceful and most regrettable example of the weakness of the human mind could not be more fully shown than in the cases of Generals Dahlquist and Stack who literally hobnobbed with the most infamous criminal and murderer of all time—Hermann Goering. The world will acclaim you, sir, if you demote them to the ranks.... The poisonous Germans’ highest hope and endeavor today is to placate themselves in the eyes of the world.... You will note that I have not used the word ‘Nazi’ or ‘The military,’ because to my mind Germany as a whole is responsible....” A touch of mild handling wear, otherwise fine, clean condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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