STORY OF LAST DAYS IN BERLIN

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22611, 16 May 1945, Page 5

STORY OF LAST DAYS IN BERLIN

FRENZIED CONFERENCES WITH LEADERS DEFENCE OF CHANCELLERY

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 16, 1 p.m.) , LONDON, May 15 “It is all over. I shall remain in Berlin. I shall fall herein the chancellery.” These were Hitler’s words on April 22 after a long, hectic day of conferences, the story of which was told by Gerhardt Herrgeselle, a member of Hitler's staff of confidential typists, to a British United Press correspondent at Obersalzburg. Herrgeselle began the story with the events of April 21. At 10.20 a.m. the Russian artillery fire became heavier and heavier. It was obvious that they were concentrating shells on the V ilhelmstrasse area. Conferences were held from noon onward. 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 Yolkssturm unit. Finally about 500 were armed with rifles and pistols. During the conferences 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. Keitel, Bormann and Jodi had cramped emergency quarters in a bunker but the chancellery 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 pf them. “During recent days he had not looked very fit. His face was rather florid and puffy. He flushed and seemed to become more stooping daily. When he walked his shoulders gave an almost hunchbacked impression. His left arm shook as it had all the time I worked at his headquarters. His right hand, which was wounded in the explosion of July 20, also shook.”