[JODL ALFRED]: (1890-1946) German Generaloberst, Chief of the Operations Staff of the German Armed F

[JODL ALFRED]: (1890-1946) German Generaloberst, Chief of the Operations Staff of the German Armed F

Jodl’s instructions to Donitz and Keitel

the day before surrendering the German armed forces

[JODL ALFRED]: (1890-1946) German Generaloberst, Chief of the Operations Staff of the German Armed Forces High Command 1939-45. An historically important D.S., Jodl, Colonel General, in the hand of an unidentified Allied radio operator at the SHAEF headquarters, one page, 4to (feint ruled paper), n.p. (Reims), n.d. (6th May 1945). The document, completed entirely in bold pencil and evidently translated into English from Jodl's original German text, is an Open Telegram addressed to Grand Admiral Karl Donitz and Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, and states, in full, 'Orders to those concerned necessary to take direction ''Frankenstrub'' as quickly as possible and amicably'. Accompanied by two contemporary carbon typed copies of the same text. Some light age toning to the principal document and light overall creasing and age wear to the two carbon copies. G, 3 The present documents are dated just a day before Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of the German armed forces on behalf of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW). Jodl had been authorised by Donitz to sign the surrender, but subject to negotiating a 48-hour delay, ostensibly to enable the surrender order to be communicated to outlying German military units. 'Frankenstrub', the OKW facility in Berchtesgaden on the Austrian border, was a code word for the retreat. Provenance: The present documents originated from the personal archive of Major-General Sir Kenneth Strong (1900-1982) who served as a senior intelligence officer under General Dwight D. Eisenhower at SHAEF and played a leading part in the negotiations for the unconditional surrender of Germany in 1945.