HELMUT VON HUMMEL (1910-2012) German lawyer, SS-Sturmbannfuhrer and Martin Bormann's private secretary and personal advisor for special projects. He played a key role in the 'Special Order Linz' which involved putting together a museum in Linz from stolen art. Hummel, along with Bormann, advocated storing the vast collection of works of art in salt mines. Fine content T.L.S., 2pp. 4to., Recklinghausen, Oct. 5, 1947, a statement made in his defense concerning BERNHARD FRANK (1913-2011), SS Commander of the Obersalzberg complex who arrested Hermann Goring on April 25, 1945 by order of Adolf Hitler. He had previously served as a librarian at Wewelsburg Castle, the ideological training ground for the SS, then occupied a senior position on Himmler’s administrative staff. Later, Frank served as a commander at the eastern front. He eventually was made commander of Obersalzberg. Hummel writes, in part: '...Since 1933 I have been an intern at the Obersalzburg...We were able to understand each other well on some issues, especially on certain issues...to discuss the principles of comparative religious studies and the philosophy of religion, in which I and Dr. FRANK were particularly interested. In this area we presented a complete revision of our view, in particular the view that the Catholic culture was unthinkable without Christianity and that the attack of the National Socialist Nation against the Christian Church was a serious mistake, which I bitterly regret...These personal statements became more urgent in the year 1944. At the beginning of the year 1945 I strengthened my trust in Dr. FRANK...because we shared our thoughts and messages openly with each other without any hesitation...You know , in the last days of April, he was taken out of the [?] in BERLIN to arrest GORING. This radio command was transmitted to Dr. FRANK, who came to me immediately after GORING's arrest to talk to me. He explained his entire explanation about how he, as an unacquainted and insignificant soldier, was being dragged into such a situation at the last hour and explained that he had no need to break his neck...I had to admit to him that he had found himself in a very unfortunate situation and that, given my fears, he might still be able to get the order to GORING...Dr. FRANK explained to me excitedly that he would carry out a similar order. At the same time...GORING, along with his family and staff, left the OBERSALZBURG...This position is, as we know...confirmed by GORING's testimony in the Nuremberg court...In the spring of 1945...Reichsleiter Martin BORMANN...was assigned to the OBERSALZBRG in order to be transported from there to the Imperial Fortress of Tyrol...Goldschatz was based in the 19th Century Greek and Roman ancestry and, according to the Judgment 11 of the Bachveratindigen, represented a value of several million Reichmarks. It belonged to various Upper Austrian soldiers...and was a 'subversive asset' at the end of the war...However, I had reservations about carrying out this assignment because the collection was going to be destroyed in a collapse in South Tyrol and such a reminder seemed irresponsible to me. Therefore he intended to hand the collection over to the Bishop of SALZBURG. I explained the situation to Dr. FRANK and explained my intentions and asked him for his support. Dr. FRANK solidly pitied me. We considered together how we could effectively respond to any possible action on either side. I suggested to Dr. FRANK that in order to make a possible arrest impossible , we should live together with him on what was then the Dietrich Eckhardt [?] where we both lived sufficiently distant from the OBERSALZBURG. From there, an escape would also be more possible if necessary. We carried out this proposal and I held the gold [?] as trustee from the Prince-Archbishop of SALZBURG. The Prince Bishop's request for receipt can be found in the main files...' On lightly toned onionskin, file holes and rough margins, else very good.