7167 - Alfred Jodl Document Signed at Nuremberg, Calling for Hitler's Stenographer to Testify on His "Relations with the Fuhrer"

Alfred Jodl Document Signed at Nuremberg, Calling for Hitler's Stenographer to Testify on His "Relations with the Fuhrer" Partly-printed DS, in German, signed “A. Jodl,” one page, 7.75 x 12, November 14, 1945. Document headed (translated), "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Jodl and his defense lawyer, Franz Exner, request testimony from "Dr. Peschel, Stenographer to the Fuhrer" citing his knowledge of Jodl's "relations with the Fuhrer." Jodl asserts that the testimony will reveal his personality and correct some misconceptions. Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Alfred Jodl, and countersigned by his defense counsel, Franz Exner. Backed by a lightweight cardstock sheet and in fine condition, with light toning. Kurt Peschel was a particularly significant witness for Jodl’s defense. A veteran parliamentary stenographer who became head of the stenographic service at Hitler’s headquarters in 1942, Peschel attended the Führer’s military conferences and recorded exchanges between Hitler and his senior commanders. Jodl hoped Peschel could clarify the nature of his relationship with Hitler and support his contention that he was not merely a compliant instrument of the Führer’s will. The evidentiary value of Peschel’s testimony was complicated by his role in the destruction of more than 100,000 pages of Hitler conference stenograms near the end of the war. The Tribunal declined to call him as a live witness, permitting written interrogatories instead. Jodl was ultimately convicted on all four counts before the International Military Tribunal and executed on October 16, 1946.