7036 - Dwight D. Eisenhower World War II-Dated Typed Letter Signed on the Coming “Second Front”

Dwight D. Eisenhower World War II-Dated Typed Letter Signed on the Coming “Second Front” World War II-dated TLS, one page, 6 x 7.75, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force letterhead, April 5, 1944. Letter to W. H. Matthews, in full: "Thank you so much for your very enthusiastic letter wishing me and all my command good luck for a second front. It was indeed thoughtful of you to write and I shall be very happy to comply with your request and hope that my signature at the end of this letter will serve as the autograph you want." In fair to good condition, with separations to intersecting folds, creasing, and heavy tape stains. Dated just two months before D-Day, this letter was written as Eisenhower and his staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force were immersed in the final planning for Operation Overlord, the long-awaited Allied return to occupied Western Europe. By early April 1944, preparations for the cross-Channel invasion were accelerating under extraordinary secrecy, with Eisenhower serving as Supreme Commander of the massive multinational force soon to land in Normandy. His reference to “good luck for a second front” thus carries exceptional immediacy: on June 6, 1944, Eisenhower would give the order that launched the largest amphibious invasion in history and opened the decisive Western front against Nazi Germany.