Page 37 - All About History - Issue 186-19
P. 37
The Last Days Of Hitler
American Private The remains of the
Richard Blust Fűhrerbunker after
looks round Adolf it was demolished in
Hitler’s study in December 1947
the half-destroyed
Führerbunker
5x © Getty Images
number, François Appolot and Eugène Vaulot, won Admiral) Karl Donitz as his successor as head of
the Knight’s Cross for their exploits – although state, and Joseph Goebbels as chancellor. Wary
both awards were unconfirmed due to the chaos of the efficacy of the cyanide capsules that had
enveloping the city. Wilhelm Weber – a German been handed out by Stumpfegger, he had one
officer serving with the French battalion – tested on his dog, Blondi. During the morning
showed a comrade a hole in a wall overlooking of 30 April, Weidling informed him that the
Wilhelmstrasse: “Look! Isn’t it beautiful!” He defence of the city would cease in the next few
was pointing at a Soviet T-34 tank he had just hours as ammunition ran out. With his last
knocked-out. military command, Hitler gave permission for the
surviving defenders to try and break out of the
shattered city. He then said goodbye to his staff
By now, Hitler was almost completely cut-off and and retired to his private study with his new wife.
played very little role in the unfolding events At about 3.30pm a single shot was heard. Hitler’s
above ground. Down in the claustrophobic depths valet, Heinz Linge, opened the door and saw Hitler
of the bunker, he made the decision to marry, slumped on the sofa – Eva had taken cyanide
and in the early hours of 29 April – in the map and Adolf had shot himself in the
room – he and Eva Braun became man and wife head. Their bodies were carried
in a civil ceremony. After a modest wedding upstairs and out into the
breakfast, he dictated his last will and testament garden, doused with petrol A bust of Adolf Hitler
in the rubble of the
to Traudl Junge, naming Grossadmiral (Grand and set alight. Chancellery in July 1945
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