(SCUTTLING OF THE BISMARCK) BURKHARD VON MULLENHEIM-RECHBERG

(SCUTTLING OF THE BISMARCK) BURKHARD VON MULLENHEIM-RECHBERG
(1911-?) Kriegsmarine officer and personal adjutant to Captain Ernst Lindemann, one of only two officers who survived the sinking of the Bismarck (only 115 in all escaped death). Historic content T.L.S. on his personal letterhead, 1p. 4to., Herrsching, July 3, 1989 mentioning the discovery of the wreck of the Bismarck and rumors of her having been scuttled. In part: '...Ever since Dr. Ballard discovered the Bismarck wreck, letters, telephone [calls]...are flooding me...But a naval person will stand through it, I hope...the question of whether Bismarck sank herself [was scuttled] or was sunk by the British...[in my book] I say quite plainly that Bismarck scuttled herself...Dr. Ballard...discovered nothing new but did confirm my earlier interpretation. This is the best I can say...' A 1989 newspaper clipping included also confirms Ballard's interpretation that the vessel was intentionally sunk by her crew. Also included is an S.P., 4 x 6 in. b/w, showing von Mullenheim-Rechberg in uniform and saluting, signed and dated '1936' later in life. Fine.