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Partly-printed DS in German, signed “A. Jodl,” one page, 8 x 12, November 14, 1945. Document headed (translated), "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Jodl and his defense lawyer, Franz Exner, request testimony from "Hans von Greiffenberg, General of the Infantry" citing his knowledge of the following facts: "1. About the way in which I protected the Greeks against the stricter Italian armistice terms; 2. That the plans for the march into France and Belgium were drawn up only after the Polish campaign." Jodl asserts that the testimony will "characterize my personality" and "relieve me of the blame for the intention to attack France before her declaration of war." Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Alfred Jodl, and countersigned by his defense counsel, Franz Exner. Backed by a lightweight cardstock sheet and in very good to fine condition, with light dampstaining to the upper half.
As chief of the Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command (OKW), Jodl had been closely involved in German military planning throughout the war. At Nuremberg, his defense sought to establish that operational plans for invading France, Belgium, and the Netherlands were developed only after the conclusion of the Polish campaign, portraying the western offensive as a response to the developing military situation rather than evidence of a premeditated war of aggression.
The prosecution challenged that argument with documentary evidence, including Jodl’s own contemporary records, showing that Hitler and senior military leaders had discussed possible operations against France and the neutral Low Countries well before the invasion of Poland. Greiffenberg’s proposed testimony concerning Jodl’s efforts to moderate Italian armistice demands on Greece was likewise intended to present evidence of Jodl’s personal conduct and character. The tribunal ultimately rejected Jodl’s defense, finding him guilty on all four counts—conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to death and executed at Nuremberg on October 16, 1946.
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