HITLER'S LAST DECISION

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24568, 17 May 1945, Page 3

HITLER'S LAST DECISION

“It b All Over”

STORY TOLD TO CORRESPONDENT

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 15

“It is all over. I shall remain in Berlin. I shall fall here—in the Chancellery.” These were Hitler’s worms on April 22 after a long, hectic day of conferences, according to a story told by Gerhardt Herrgeselle, a member of Hitler’s staff of confidential typists, to the correspondent of the United Press at Obersalzburg. Herrgeselle began his story with events on April 21. “At 10.20 a.m. the Russian artillery became heavier and heavier, and it was obvious that they were concentrating shells on the Wilhelmstrasse area. Conferences were held from noon onwards. Goebbels, as commander of the defence of Berlin. rushed in and out many times, and still no decision was reached about removing the rest of us to the south. Hitler’s special company of S.S. Guards was sent to protect the Chancellery. Various people tried to organise the Chancellery staff into a Volkssturm until finally about 500 were armed with rifles and pistols, “During a conference lasting from 3 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. it was obvious that things were critical. Officials constantly streamed to the conference room in groups of three or four, perhaps totalling 30. Hitler’s sweetheart, Eva Braun, was there. FieldMarshal Keitel. Bormann. and General Jodi had cramoed emergency quarters in a bunker 'the word is not explained), but the Chancellenr was used to house and feed most of those who came in.

“The Fuehrer seemed slightly hazy and often failed to reply to questions. Obviously he was paying no attention to many of them. During recent days he had not looked very fit His face was rather florid and puffy, he flushed easily, and he seemed to become more stooping daily. When he walked his shoulders gave an almost hunch* backed impression. His left arm shook as it had done all the time I worked at his headquarters. His right hand, which was wounded in the explosion of July 20, also shook. Hitter’s Decision “The big decision was made in a Liminute conference beginning at 5.20 Em on April 22, which was attended y Hitler, Bormann, Keitel, and Jodi. “HitleF’was dressed as usual in dark trousers and a field grey jacket, with the - Iron Cross,’ which was his only decoration. He had previously said: ‘lt doesn’t make sense to go on any longer and 1 shall remain here.’ As he did not elaborate, nobody was sure whether this was his final decision, but when the steel door closed on the SJO pjn. conference Hitler announced to Bormann, Keitel, and Jodi, ‘lt’s all Oyer. I shall remain in Berlin. I shall fall here in the Chancellery.’ “The conference Was heated) with all 'but Jodi trying to make themselves heard at the same time. Keitel and Bormann vigorously opposed Hitler’s decision. Only Jodi appeared indifferent. Keitel and Bormann told Hitler that what he said contradicted what he bad told them in past months, namely, to fight to the last scrap of German territory. - “Jodi, who was the only one who dared to tell Hitler the‘truth, was quiet during most of the conference Bormann and Keitel continued to try to persuade Hitler to go to southern Germany or Norway, but Hitler could not be talked out of his decision. He frequently tried to silence them, and he then ordered Keitel, Bormann, and Jodi to leave Berlin—an order which he'must have repeated 10 times, but Keitel and Bormann each replied: ‘My I.'uehrer. we won’t leave you,’ and later they added: *We • wbilld - tie ashamed toappear before otbr -wives and.children if we did So.’ ■. v-V, . “Then Bormann said: ‘lt is the first time I have refused to obeyvyou.-’ Keitel said: ‘I will stay:’ Jodi mid calmly: T will not stay in the mouse hole. One cannot work, fight -'or operate here.’ v - . “Keitel tried, hard to peisiiadie Jailer that .Germany still had A great deal. left with' which to but' Hitler was not-.impressed^-Twice Jodi asked: ‘My Fuehrer. complete .leadership?’ jggsP Vague Instructions , “Hitter never made a rdally clear reply. He said that he had expected that he and .others could hold out>.in Berlin from two days to a week, hut he later said: ‘Go to southern Germapy. Goejring shall form a new .government. Goering is my succettfcr. In aW case, Goering will negotiate.’ “Although Hitler repeated these statements, he never' made it clear whether he was ordering Goering to form a new government or whether that should happen'later, when he himself was dead. ' -There was an interval ip the conference. Then the same people met again. All but Hitler were summoned to the telephone several times. Events later indicated - that they had telephoned people urging them to' telephone Hitler to try to persuade him to leave Berlin. Among those who telephoned was Doenitz. “Doenitz gave an optimistic picture, but Hitler, after listening for a while, merely said;. ‘."Thank you, Herr GrandAdmiral Heil.’ Then he hung up. “Then von Ribbentrop telephoned, apparently from somewhere in Berlin. He spoke excitedly and claimed to have a report of tension between the Western Allies and Russia. He told Hitler: ‘One of our best agents, who has travelled in the best British circles, has Just arrived from Switzerland. He says the British Cabinet has already

' . , f %, i , ». .V V split, and that dissension between the^, - ' Allies must come.’ Hitler.'merely an-.; swered: Oh, that’s what hesays. That’s - what you say.’ V “Then Goebbels appeared with his children. Goebbels valued the -oMf thesis about vism, adding: T propofie we tum our - backs on the W«t From aadcontinue to-" fight Bolsb^raun. 7 Hitter replied: *No. That tyest and 1 dOn*tcare.*. . “Armiaimliaipraw; until. about > "7.30 at serf that he coula-jiot leave Hitter, who* continued to order- him andothers leave.. There was also argument ,■< whether the conference records' should . be destroyed when the end came; or whether i shopld fly with ''ahother member of the .staff to traMcribe our, ?; notes. . Hitler decided for the 'tetter course. - When 1 left the 3 tcunt' IJ Bva ■ Braun asked me if J were.flying sppth. and gave roe a package' to take and also a small box, which I contained jewellery. , »■., • - *;■* “Hitter and Eva were sitttngi atatte - . together in the reception’room whtai ; our party left. Veldt the Chancellery after dark by car. There were some'.' women with .us, and ’HiUert persons! , physiciah,'Pr, Morpeß.'' Jnr plahe nnd crew Were at thealrflefiL It wSs a huge Condor transport mlafie. We took off for Mpnlch; at 1,43 a.m.’’ . Herrgeselle added- he . and others drove on : to Bereiuisgsden.: He does not know whath«jpened_ later in Berlin, but hje l tttoss jEdtel may. have tried to; remove .Hitler from Berlin by force, *H6 -admits thaw.: Wr * slight possibility that fitter. is alive, but is personally convinced that Hitler died with Eva Braun. Bormann;and his last SB. guards. He. considered/ that, to prevent the bodiekfalllnglnto Russian hands, they; possibly with * few others, were placed m a. prepared vault in the basement of one of theGovernment buildings and then sealed off. V Herrgeselle further stated that Hitler did say 'indirectly that all was lost and, that he believed* he, could'bestserve jtbe German people ny ; remaining in Berlin apparently realising that the end of the'war would be speeded tip ” by' his death. Hitler also made it clear ;tt»t he had ' not only lost confidence 'ih die Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe, but also in ( the S S However, his confidence in the navy seemed to continue to the end. '