Lot 8647

Description

A total of 60 carbon copy pages (A4 size), mostly stamped in red as “secret” or “secret command matter!”, some additionally marked “Attention! Situation report contains decryption results!”. 18 Feb. 1941: “Libya [sic]: No enemy activity detected on the ground. Hostile air activity has slackened considerably. German tank destroyer and reconnaissance detachments reached the front near Sirte at 15:00 hours on 16 Feb.” From the Luftwaffe general staff: “1. During the night of the 17th/18th, IX Air Corps sowed the Thames with 43 LMB Green, 27 LMB Yellow, and 34 LMA mines.” 19 Feb. 1941: “Atlantic Situation: The destroyers 'Maori' and 'Zulu' proceeded on the morning of the 18th to assist the British motor tanker 'Siamese Prince' (8,456 GRT)—torpedoed on 17 Feb.—and were positioned approximately 10 nautical miles north of Cape Wrath at 09:00 hours.” 20 Feb. 1941: “Army Situation – Libya [sic]: Today's Stuka attack a complete success. Several direct hits scored on a group of 110 vehicles—apparently during roll call.” “Atlantic Situation: Aerial reconnaissance reported a convoy of 45 medium-sized steamers heading west in grid square AM 3443 at 14:30 hours. — Consequently, at 16:17 hours, U-boats 73, 107, 48, 96, 69, and 103 received orders to proceed southeast at high speed.” Army situation on 23 Feb. 1941: “Gen. Rommel intends to advance his command post to Misrata.” Atlantic situation report, 25 Feb. 1941: “On the 23rd and 24th, the following successes were reported: U 1234: steamers = 33,100 GRT – U 69: 3 steamers = 25,900 GRT, expended all torpedoes, returning to base – U 95: 3 steamers = 18,000 GRT, 8 torpedoes remaining – U 107: 4 steamers = 21,000 GRT, expended all torpedoes, returning to base – U 73: 1 steamer = 6,500 GRT, depth-charge damage – U 96: 7 steamers = 55,600 GRT, including 1 auxiliary cruiser – returning to base – U 97: 2 steamers = 16,000 GRT + 1 tanker = 10,000–12,000 GRT torpedoed, returning to base, expended all torpedoes.” Interesting reports. Between November 1940 and February 1941, U 69, under the command of *Kapitänleutnant* Jost Metzler, sank ten ships totaling 55,583 GRT; Metzler was awarded the knight's cross for this on 28 July 1941.

Condition: II - Questions about the lot?