Bidspirit auction | GERHARD BASSENGE

GERHARD BASSENGE - (1897 - 1977) One of the German officers most responsible for training the interwar German paratroopers, also a Luftwaffe General during World War II, and Chief of Staff of Luftflotte 5 throughout the Battle of Britain. Scarce A.L.S. 'Gerd Bassenge' in German, 2pp. 8vo., Ploen, Oct. 28, 1947, extending gratitude to a Red Cross official and detailing the difficulties of post-imprisonment life, just weeks after his release from Allied captivity. In part: 'After three weeks of getting used to the long missed freedom, I am sending you my sincerest greetings from my home town...The general impressions I have gathered thus far are very hopeless and serious. I think that no one in the whole world really knows how severe distress of the masses is. It is truly not easy to maintain the will power to rebuild through deed when you are opposed by the general pessimism...I could write a book about the countless difficulties alone which I encountered in furnishing my little workshop (located in the corner of my already small room)...' Two holes on left side, else fine.