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Partly-printed DS, in German, signed “Hjalmar Schacht,” one page, 7.75 x 11.75, December 5, 1945. Document headed, "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Schacht and his defense lawyer request testimony from "President of the Administrative District Dr. Diehls," explaining (translated): "Dr. Diehls furnishes information on Schacht's personality, his fundamental attitude, and his repudiation of Hitler…Dr. Diehls' testimony has special, objective value as evidence, since, on the bases of his former known official position, he is more thoroughly acquainted than almost anyone else with the actual sociological backgrounds of the German people and of the ruling class and is therefore able to make especially substantial and reliable depositions concerning Schacht's ever increasing opposition to the regime and, in particular, to Hitler's personal rule. His knowledge derives from direct observation of the happenings in this connection." Signed at the conclusion in pencil by Hjalmar Schacht, and countersigned by his defense counsel. Backed by lightweight cardstock and in fine condition. Accompanied by a contemporary English translation.
Schacht’s proposed witness was Rudolf Diels, one of the most remarkable figures he could have summoned in support of his defense. As chief of the Prussian political police under Hermann Göring, Diels became the first head of the Gestapo in 1933 and was directly involved in the investigation of the Reichstag fire before losing control of the secret police apparatus to Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard Heydrich.
Schacht sought to turn Diels’ intimate knowledge of the Nazi ruling circle to his advantage, presenting him as an unusually authoritative observer of his growing estrangement from the regime and “repudiation of Hitler.” The strategy reflected a central theme of Schacht’s defense: that although he had occupied senior positions in Hitler’s government, he had progressively broken with the dictatorship and ultimately associated with conservative opponents of the regime. Schacht was acquitted on all charges by the International Military Tribunal.
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