NSDAP Organisation Gauleiter Bohle memo

[Thomas Symmonds]

Hello all.

I would appreciate help with the translation of this document. My very rudimentry german, from early school days nearly 25 years ago now, leads me to think this is an internal memo, perhaps, of Bohle getting some sort of award / decoration ...?

thanks in advance.

(im having trouble uploading the picture. Ill try again next post)

regards

Thomas

[Guest Rick Research]

If you are having sizing "issues" (as virtually everyone who does not have an Epson scanner does), try ruthlessly cropping out all wasted blank space and if you have to, chop the lines up into more than one section, top, middle, bottom.

[Chris Boonzaier]

There are STILL non Epson folks amongst the collectors??????!!!! ;-)

[Thomas Symmonds]

There are STILL non Epson folks amongst the collectors??????!!!! ;-)

Sorry folks, but an Epson Stylus CX4300 I am a proud owner of, and the file is 104K, and IT still will not let me upload!?

[Guest Rick Research]

Because you are new, I think you get 60kb. That was so long ago forr me, I forget what it was like. Crop in two pieces. :cheers:

[Thomas Symmonds]

OK. Down to 98.1 K. I hope the text is still ledible. Thanks for your patience.

[Guest Rick Research]

You're working from a microfiche copy, I hope?

It is indeed a congratulatory letter from Bohle on 23 February 1942 notifying Herr Stefan (Gerdner?) in Athens that Hitler has awarded him the Volkspflege Medal.

Bohle, "as your Gauleiter in the AO," is glad to forward the medal and award document. All in recognition of labors to make overseas Germans into a Nazi community in the heavy times we live in. His readiness to serve will always be remembered.

This would be quite nice if it was the original autographed cover letter-- far better than the generic issued award Urkunden it came with, pre-printed for everybody.

This from somebody's NARA file?

[Thomas Symmonds]

Rick, you have me at an advantage. Im a country boy used to playing with pumkins. What is a "microfiche"? and a "NARA"?

I picked this letter up at a deceased estate auction along with a comprehensive personal war item collection of one Captain Charles Douglas Sonn, his tags show the ID number 141195. It looks like he was with the British Intelligence, Middle East.

The signature does not look to be original, rather the "mass produced" type. The paper is quite thin and a wee bit brittle. Im a bit weary about handling it too much.

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

regards

Thomas

[Guest Rick Research]

With you in the pumpkin patch. One traffic light and literally nothing happened here between our Indian Massacre of 1696, the War Scare of 1799 and our constable being gunned down on the steps of Town Hall in 1911. Been quiet ever since but I guess we're about due for more excitement again any decade now.

The weird contrast and spots all over are typical of that old microfilm-ish technology for copying and printing out things. It wouldn't have that spottiness if it was an actual carbon copy.

The National Archives has trillions of tons of captured records-- thought it might come off a copier there.

This is what originals sent to the recipient look like:

[Thomas Symmonds]

Thanks Rick,

maybe one day when I am allowed to post bigger K pictures I'll send you a clearer, colour pic of the document.

Thomas

[Thomas Symmonds]

Hello Gentlemen.

I am now wiser to the subtle workings of this great EPSON machine and am able to let youhave a better look at this document.

A full translation ...

The Fuehrer has presented you with the medal for German National Culture in recognition for your service in this field.

It is an honour for me as your District Commmander to present you with this document of distinction.

Your service in the NSDAP's Foreign Organisations framework has helped spread the National Socialistic German Culture. This is proved by your Comrades' willingness to sacrifice for this cause in these hard times that we live in.

I will always remeber your unselfish willingness to contribute.

Heil Hitler

I would appreciate it if some one could post a photo of this particular award if they have one.

Below is a cutting from a newspaper at the time of Bohle's capture, and a photo of him on trial copied from Wikipedia. A link to that site....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Wilhelm_Bohle

[Guest Rick Research]

Ah, so though in almost terminallly foxed condition from too long in the damp, you DO have an original autographed forwarding congratulations letter! :cheers:

[Paul R]

Ah, so though in almost terminallly foxed condition from too long in the damp, you DO have an original autographed forwarding congratulations letter!

That is one nice document. The condition may be abused, but it is what it is. Here is an example of that medal: