HITLER ADAMANT

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

HITLER ADAMANT

REFUSAL TO ESCAPE

CONVINCED OF DEFEAT GOERING AS SUCCESSOR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 16, 1 p.m.) LONDON, May 15 The story of Gerhardt Herrgeselle continued: “The big decision was made in a 15 minutes’ conference beginning at 5.30 p.m. on April 22 attended by Hitler, Bormann, Keitel and Jodi. Hitler was dressed as usual in dark trousers and field grey jacket, with the Iron Cross above his heart which was his only decoration. He had previously said: ‘lt doesn’t make sense' to- go on any longer and I shall remain here,’ but as he did not elaborate nobody was sure whether this was his final decision. “But when the steel door had closed on the 5.30 conference Hitler announced to Bormann, Keitel and Jodl : ‘lt’s all over. I shall remain in Berlin. I shall fall here—in the Chancellery.’ Conference Was Heated “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 had told them in past months, namely to fight to the last scrap of German territory. “Jodi, who was the only one who had dared tell Hitler the truth, was quiet during most of the conference. Bormann and Keitel continued trying 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. He then ordered Keitel, Bormann and Jodi to leave Berlin—an order which he must have repeated ten times, but Keitel and Bormann each replied: ‘My Fuehrer, we won’t leave you,’ and later they added: ‘We would be ashamed to appear before our wives and children if we did so.’ “Then Bormann said: ‘lt is the first time I have refused to obey you.’ Keitel said: ‘I will stay.’ Jodi said calmly: *1 won’t stay in the mousehole. One cannot work, fight or operate here.’

“Keitel tried hard to persuade Hitler that Germany still had a great deal left with which to carry on the war, but Hitler was unimpressed. “Twice Jodi asked: ‘My Fuehrer, do you yield the complete leadership?’ Hitler never made a really clear reply. He had said he expected that he and others could hold out in Berlin from two days to a week, but later said ; ‘Go to southern Germany. Goering shall form a new Government. Goering is my successor. In any case Goering -will negotiate.’ “Although Hitler repeated these statements he never made it clear whether he had ordered Goering to form a new Government or whether that should happen later when he himself was dead. “There was an interval in the conference. Then the same people again met. All but Hitler were summoned to the telephone several times. Events later indicated that they had telephoned various people urging them to telephone Hitler to try to persuade him to leave Berlin. “Among those who telephoned was Doenitz. He gave an optimistic picture, but Hitler after listening awhile merely said. ‘Thank you, Herr Grand Admiral. Heil!’ Then he hung up. “Von Ribbentrop next 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 split and dissension between the Allies must come.’ “Hitler merely answered. ‘Oh, that’s what he says. That’s what you say.’ “Then Goeb.oels appeared, with his children. Goebbels argued the old thesis about the fight against Bolshevism. adding: ‘I propose that we turn our backs to the west front ar.d continue the fight against Bolshevism.’ “Hitler replied: ‘No. That is capitulation to the west, and I won’t compromise. I don’t care!’ “Arguments continued until about

1 7.30 p.m. Keitel continued to assert ! that he could not leave Hitler, who | continued to order him and the J others to leave. There was also argu--1 ment whether the conference records should be destroyed when the end came or whether I should fly with another member of the staff to transcribe the notes. Hitler decided for the latter course. When I left the room Eva Braun asked me if I were flying south and gave me a package to take, also a small box which I supposed contained jewellery. Hitler and Eva were sitting alone together in the reception room when our party left. Convinced Hitler Dead “We left the chancellery after dark by car. There were some women with us and Hitler’s personal j physician, Dr. Morrell. Our plane j and crew were ready at the airfield. It was a huge Condor transport ! plane. We took off for Munich at | 1.45 a.m.” i Herrgeselle added that he and the others drove on to Berchtesgaden. ' He does not know what happened I later in Berlin but thinks Keitel may have tried to remove Hitler from Berlin by force. He admits that i there is a slight possibility that « Hitler is alive but is personally convinced that Hitler died with Eva Braun, Bormann and the last of the I S.S. guards. He expressed the opinion that to prevent the bodies falling into Russian hands they, with possibly a few others, were placed in a prepared vault in the basement of one of the Government buildings, then sealed off, possibly with debris blasted down on the spot. Herrgeselle further stated that Hitler did say indirectly that all was lost and that he believed he could j best serve the German people by remaining in Berlin, apparently I realising that the end of the war would be speeded up by his deati. ! Also Hitler made it clear J.iat he j had now not only lost confidence in the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe but in the Waffen and S.S. How- ' ever, his confidence in the navy seemed to continue to the end.