HITLER’S HIDE-OUT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 134, 8 May 1945, Page 5

HITLER’S HIDE-OUT

BERCHTESGADEN LAIR. lIOW NAZIS MADE FORTUNES. A century ago Berchtesgaden was a small village, known only for its' salt mines. Then a Jewish doctor discovered the health value of natural salt infusions, and Berchtesgaden became known all over Europe. Patients with heart trouble, women’s ailments, nose and throat maladies, went there year after year. Berchtesgaden prospered until Hitler assumed office in 1933, when Jews were banished, only Aryans allowed to visit the place. From tlio time Hitler came to power ho and his closest collaborators feared reprisals, and Storm Trooper boss Rohm worked out plans for an Alpine fortress. Hitler shot Rohm in 1934, but he carried on the fortress plan. IDEA WAS NOT ORIGINAL.

The idea was not original. Seventy years before. King Ludwig of Bavaria began building an inaccessible castle a few miles from Berchtesgaden. Hitler realised Ludwig’s eyrie in the Bavarian Alps eminently suited his own plans. From tho borders of Switzerland to Bavaria and Austria, and down to Northern Italy, the country was ringed with solid rock walls, ranging in height from 6000 to 9000 feet. Hitler decided to convert the entire country to a huge Nazi citadel, gave his road and fortification genius, Dr. Todt, the job of fortifying it. The centre of tho Alpine fortress was Berchtesgaden, with Hitler’s permanent headquarters. Within a circle of 15 miles from Berchtesgaden every leading Nazi had a property. The military centre of -this inner fortress was Munich.

To keep out undesirable elements, the Gestapo took over the management of all hotels and boardinghouses. Soon only top-notch party members dared to visit Berchtesgaden. They paid reduced fees and demanded increased comfort.

By 1935 Berchtesgaden was broke. Owners of hotels and boardinghouses, sanatoria, and bath-establishments had to sell. A mysterious business combine bought up Berchtesgaden for practically nothing. Later it turned out the chief members of the gang were Reich Labour Leader Ley, Munich Gauleiter Wagner, and half a dozen smaller fry.

They then rebuilt the tourist trade, charged top juices, and made fortunes. STILL DID NOT FEEL SAFE. Despite the complete Nazification of Berchtesgaden and its environs, Hitler still did not feel absolutely safe. He wanted a place where nobody could follow him. So Todt produced the Adlerhorst. From Hitler’s residence, tlio Berghof, a five-mile-kmg motor-ear road was carved into the steep sides of the mountains. This road terminated at two huge- bronze doors, opened and shut by electric 'power. Beyond the doors there was a 350ftlong marble-walled underground chamber, brilliantly lighted with bronze lamps. From there a small' tunnel led to an elevator containing ten comfortable leather chairs. The 'lOOft-lugh shatter of tlie elevator ended right on the summit of Kelilstein. It took 3000 workmen many months to make. On tlio upper end of the shaft was built a luxurious little house consisting of a large glass-wailed reception room, a bedroom, a balcony, a guard room, and an electric-ojierated kitchen. From tho balcony there was a 2000 ft drop into the valley of the Endstalil.