My most cordial congratulations on your 50th birthday.
On this occasion I think back to the first fighting years of our movement, when I met you as a German officer at Adolf Hitler's. I think of your unqualified efforts for the Fuehrer and the long years of battle, which finally led our movement to victory. Please be assured how well I believe I understand what you have accomplished for the people and the Fuehrer, and I wish you further determined, unbroken strength to hold on to the victorious conclusion of this decisive battle for the Reich for the coming years.
I take the liberty of giving you, as a friend of the plastic art, a Dutch painting as a little remembrance for your museum. It was painted by Jacob Adriaensz Bellevois, comes from the 17th century, and is called "Seascape".
Tomorrow I shall offer you my personal congratulations on your anniversary.
Heil Hitler,
Yours respectfully,
[No signature]
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1130-PS
Col. i.G. v. Altenstadt
OKH/Gen Qu Department War Administration
II/2120/43 secret
11 April 1943
Main Department I
Tgb No. I 784/43 secret Received 6 May 1943 Encl. 1
Dear Mr. Braeutigam:
Enclosed I am sending you for your personal information a report of a speech which Gauleiter Reichkommissar Koch made in Kiev on 5 March 1943. May I ask you to regard this report as solely meant for yourself.
With best regards,
Heil Hitler!
Sincerely yours,
Altenstadt [signature]
N.R.
Obergruppenfuehrer Dr. Kinkelein [initialed] 8 May
The speech is known, isn't it? Yes.
[initials illegible]
1 enclosure.
File Koch.