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Partly-printed DS in German, signed in pencil, "Hermann Göring," one page, 7.75 x 12.75, January 15, 1946. Document headed (translated), "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Göring and his defense lawyer, Otto Stahmer, request testimony from his chief secretary, Gisela Limberger, who had knowledge of the following facts: "a) To the end, numerous appeals for help were addressed to Goering by persons who, either were in concentration camps themselves or whose relatives had been sent there. In each case Goering investigated the matter, tried to help and secured release in many cases. b) During the course of the year, he also helped a great many Jews who appealed to him for help. c) He had no knowledge of the atrocities committed against Jews and the brutalities committed in concentration camps." Affixed to a slightly larger sheet, with a section of the rear excised for viewing the complete text. In fine condition. Accompanied by a contemporary English translation.
Hermann Göring—the most infamous surviving Nazi and the main target of the International Military Tribunal—stood trial at Nuremberg as a chief architect of Germany’s war of aggression and the regime’s crimes against humanity. As Reichsmarschall and head of the Luftwaffe, he was accused of orchestrating war plans, exploiting occupied territories, and overseeing institutions that enabled mass murder, including the concentration camps. Throughout the trial, Göring attempted to portray himself as a loyal bureaucrat who acted in the interest of the state and was unaware of the full extent of atrocities, seeking witness testimony to support his claims. Despite his defenses and attempts to manipulate the proceedings, he was convicted on multiple counts, including crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Sentenced to death, he committed suicide by ingesting cyanide the night before his scheduled execution.
Interestingly, after World War II, his secretary, Gisela Limberger, was detained by U.S. authorities and interrogated by the Art Looting Investigation Unit (ALIU). She provided detailed accounts of the acquisition and management of looted artworks, including those from Jewish collectors and dealers. Her testimony contributed to understanding the scale of Nazi art plundering and the networks involved.
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