Diaries and papers of Erhard Milch (Irving File 36B) – Negative Reel

Title: Complete Diaries and Papers of Erhard Milch, 1939–1945
Creator: Milch, Erhard (1892–1972)
Date(s): 1 January 1939 – 25 August 1945
Extent: 1 digital file (686 pages, PDF format)
Language: German (original script); English metadata and file-level description
Format: Digitized facsimile with full-text OCR and structured metadata
Digitized by: Irving Collection
Publication Date: July 2025

This document is a digitized and OCR-processed version of the handwritten diaries of Erhard Milch, Luftwaffe Field Marshal and senior figure in Nazi Germany’s air command. Covering the period from January 1939 through August 1945, these diaries detail Milch’s daily activities, strategic meetings, military production oversight, and interactions with Nazi leadership, including Hermann Göring and Adolf Hitler.

• The entries feature frequent references to:
  • “RLM” – Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Reich Aviation Ministry).
  • “J.B.” and other coded initials, presumably for individuals or military commands.
  • Military logistics, aircraft inspections, conference notes, personnel movements, and wartime production.
  • Significant wartime events, as perceived by Milch in his high-level administrative and operational role.
• The content is primarily in German cursive handwriting, though the diary grid layout remains consistent, allowing for date-by-date tracking.

Disclaimer

Historical Document Notice
This document is a digitized, OCR-processed edition of the Complete Diaries and Papers of Erhard Milch, covering the years 1939 to 1945. It is presented here solely for historical, educational, and research purposes.

Content Warning
The diary reflects the views, terminology, and ideology of its author, Erhard Milch, a senior commander in Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe and a convicted war criminal. The content may include offensive language, antisemitic remarks, references to forced labor, and other material that reflects the atrocities and policies of the Nazi regime.

The inclusion of this material does not imply endorsement, condoning, or promotion of any political ideology, actions, or viewpoints expressed within the text. It is preserved and published as part of the historical record, essential for understanding the internal operations of the Third Reich and the conduct of World War II.

Copyright and Use
While the original diary is in the public domain, this enhanced edition—including its OCR processing, formatting, and metadata—was produced by [Your Name or Entity] and is protected as a derivative work.

• Redistribution for non-commercial educational or research use is permitted with attribution.
• Commercial use, reproduction, or resale requires prior written permission.

Accuracy Disclaimer
This document has been OCR-processed and metadata-tagged to enhance accessibility. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, some errors may persist due to the quality of the original handwriting, microfilm artifacts, or language inconsistencies. Users are advised to consult original source materials when conducting critical research.

Condition Note

The digital file is a high-resolution scan of a microfilmed handwritten document, generally legible but with variable image quality across pages. Some entries exhibit faint ink, blurring, or distortion typical of aged microfilm, and portions of the handwriting—particularly in cursive or marginal notes—may be difficult to decipher without enhancement. Despite these limitations, the overall structure and content remain intact and readable, and the applied OCR allows for basic text searchability, though accuracy may vary due to script style and film artifacts.