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Three witness applications signed by Joachim von Ribbentrop while preparing his defense at the Nuremberg trials, seeking testimony from three prominent British political figures—Lord Londonderry, Lord Beaverbrook, and Lord Derby—to support his claim that his prewar diplomatic efforts were directed toward Anglo-German friendship rather than preparation for aggressive war:
- Partly-printed DS, in German and English, signed “J. v. Ribbentrop,” one page, 8 x 12.75, November 13, 1945. Document headed, "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Ribbentrop and his defense lawyer request testimony from "Lord Londonderry," citing his knowledge that "for over 10 years I endeavored to bring about a class friendship and an alliance with Great Britain, for which purpose I had also discussions with the witness along these very lines." Ribbentrop states that the testimony is relevant "to refute the accusation that I participated in any preparation for a war of aggression." Signed at the conclusion in pencil by Joachim von Ribbentrop, and countersigned by his defense counsel. Backed by lightweight cardstock and in fine condition. Accompanied by a contemporary English translation.
- Partly-printed DS, in German, signed “J. v. Ribbentrop,” one page, 8 x 12.75, November 13, 1945. Document headed (translated), "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Ribbentrop and his defense lawyer request testimony from "Lord Beaverbrook," citing his knowledge of these facts: "For over ten years I endeavored to bring about a close friendship and an alliance with Great Britain, for which purpose I had also discussions with the witness along these very lines." Ribbentrop states that the testimony is necessary "to refute the accusation that I participated in any preparation for a war of aggression." Signed at the conclusion in pencil by Joachim von Ribbentrop, and countersigned by his defense counsel. Backed by lightweight cardstock and in fine condition.
- Partly-printed DS, in German, signed “J. v. Ribbentrop,” one page, 8 x 13, January 29, 1946. Document headed (translated), "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Ribbentrop and his defense lawyer request testimony from "Lord Derby," citing his knowledge that "v. Ribbentrop was a politician and diplomat had spoken with the witness about the need of bringing about friendly relations between Germany and England." Ribbentrop states that the testimony is relevant "to weaken the points I and II of the general indictment and the points in question of the special accusations." Signed at the conclusion in pencil by Joachim von Ribbentrop, and countersigned by his defense counsel. Backed by archival paper and in fine condition, with professional cleaning to the paper. Accompanied by a contemporary English translation.
Joachim von Ribbentrop served as Hitler's Reich Foreign Minister from 1938 to 1945 and was among the most senior Nazi officials tried at Nuremberg. The three applications reflect a coordinated effort to enlist prominent members of the British establishment in support of his defense. Charles, 7th Marquess of Londonderry, was an influential aristocrat and outspoken advocate of Anglo-German rapprochement and appeasement during the 1930s who had personally met with Ribbentrop and other Nazi leaders. Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook, was one of Britain's most powerful newspaper publishers and served in Winston Churchill's wartime government, most notably as Minister of Aircraft Production during the Battle of Britain. Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, was a senior Conservative politician and former British Ambassador to France.
Through these applications, Ribbentrop sought to portray his prewar activities, particularly his tenure as German Ambassador to Britain from 1936 to 1938, as sincere attempts to establish a lasting Anglo-German alliance rather than steps toward military aggression. By calling upon influential British figures with firsthand knowledge of his diplomatic overtures, he hoped to undermine the prosecution's charges of conspiracy and crimes against peace, while suggesting that Britain's own policy of appeasement complicated the question of responsibility for the outbreak of war.
The strategy ultimately failed. Although written interrogatories submitted to several British figures, including Londonderry and Beaverbrook, were answered, Ribbentrop's defense was overwhelmed by documentary evidence of his central role in Nazi foreign policy, including his involvement in negotiating the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact that preceded the invasion of Poland and his later efforts to secure the deportation of Jews from Germany's European allies. The International Military Tribunal convicted Ribbentrop on all four counts—conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity—and sentenced him to death. He was executed by hanging on October 16, 1946, becoming the first of the condemned Nazi leaders to be executed at Nuremberg.
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