ERWIN VON WITZLEBEN

ERWIN VON WITZLEBEN
(1881 - 1944) German general whose forces broke the Maginot Line forcing the surrender of three French division. A major plotter in the July 20, 1944 bomb attempt on Hitler's life, von Witzleben was to take over supreme command of the whole Wehrmacht as the highest-ranking German soldier. Following his arrest, von Witzleben was among the first to be tried. In an attempt to humiliate him, he was made to appear before the court wearing trousers that were several sizes too big and, additionally, being denied a belt or suspenders, he was obliged to continually hitch up his trousers in court to prevent them from falling down. Excellent war-date S.P., 4 x 5.5 in. b/w, a heavy cardstock photo showing the general in uniform with baton, signed at lower-left in blue ink. Mounting remnants at the corners of the verso, else fine.