English Translation

Copy. The Reichsführer-Führer headquarters, July 42. The head of the Pers.Stabes Tgb.Nr. A 3/52/42. Dear Count B i s m a r c k ! Due to heavy work overload I come unfortunately only today to answer your two letters of 12. and 22.5.42, whose attachments I studied closely. Unfortunately, the fact that the basic question was so complicated has been completely negatively influenced by the assassination of the Reich's protector in Bohemia and Moravia, -Obergrup penführer H e y d r i c h . I have presented this case to the Reichsführer, who, due to his numerous talks with the Führer in recent times, has come to the conviction that the leader is not willing to make any concessions to the Czech nobleman, especially as far as he has signed the anti-German manifestations at that time. Under these circumstances, the Reichsführer, for your relative, the Count Leopold S t e r n b e r g , regrets not being able to make any exceptions; for as naturally as Count Sternberg would have had appropriate advantages from his signature in the case of an unfavourable development of the German cause, he must now consistently bear the disadvantages in the reverse case. By order I have sent a copy of this letter to the 4-group leader, Secretary of State F r a n k in Prague. By regretting not being able to give you any better information today, I am with best regards and H e l l l i t i e r ! Always your gez. olff. F.d.R. bartit 4-Oberscharführer.