Adolf Hitler grins as he poses with children and relaxes at his Alpine retreat in propaganda photographs meant to show his softer side
- A new book 'Hitler's Alpine Headquarters' features a collection of rare Nazi propaganda shots from the 1930s
- The Fuhrer is captured socialising with families and supporters in the snaps taken near his vacation home
- Haus Wachenfeld later known as Berghof is where Hitler spent more time than anywhere else during WWII
Rare images of Adolf Hitler socialising with children and supporters at his notorious Alpine hideaway have emerged.
Capturing the Fuhrer shaking hands with youngsters, relaxing with dogs and even feeding deer, the intimate shots were produced by the Nazi propagandists in a bid to show a gentler side to their leader. The collection appears in a new book 'Hitler's Alpine Headquarters' by James Wilson published by Pen and Sword Books.
Beyond the eerie smiles of adoring families who would gather daily to ask for autographs when Hitler was in residence, the leader can be seen flanked by members of the SS.
Despite its lush mountain setting near Berchtesgaden and the Obersalzberg, the Bavarian cottage, known as Haus Wachenfeld then later Berghof, was emblazoned with swastika flags and Nazi insignia.
Hitler was first introduced to the cottage when visiting his friend and mentor Dietrich Eckart. Eckart, editor of Auf gut Deutsch!, an anti-Semitic periodical, was hiding from authorities at the cottage in 1923. At the end of his visit, Hitler was, in his own words, ‘completely captivated’ by the region, according to Wilson. Back in Munich and later that year, Hitler and the other Nazi leaders found themselves charged with high treason as a result of their unsuccessful attempt to seize power in the Munich Putsch.
Hitler rented the retreat in 1928, then bought and refurbished it with the proceeds from his political manifesto Mein Kampf in 1933. It was renamed Berghof and served as the leader's vacation home for the best part of a decade, often visited by his adoring supporters.
Rare images of Hitler's Alpine Headquarters in Austria were produced by the Nazis to try and show a gentler side to their leader. Realising the appeal of these images Hitler took advantage of every photo opportunity that presented itself. The little girl chosen to be photographed with the Fuhrer appears somewhat bewildered, left. The man in the background is Erich Kempka who held the rank of Lieutenant- Colonel in the SS. Kempka was Hitler's personal chauffeur from 1934 until April 1945. He was captured by US troops in Berchtesgaden on 20 June 1945. Right, an immaculately dressed Gerhard Bartels poses next to Hitler who keeps hold of the boy in case he run off
By engaging this endearing child in this attentive way, Hitler projects the image of a caring and approachable leader; a man truly in touch with his people, even with children. The child Rosa Bernile Nienau and her mother, a doctor's widow, visited the Obersalzberg for the first time in 1932. The following year, 1933, when informed that he and the child shared the same birthday, 20th April, Hitler singled her out from the large crowd, invited her up to the house, then walked hand-in-hand with her back to Haus Wachenfeld. Bernile was treated to strawberries and whipped cream on the terrace
Despite its lush mountain setting near Berchtesgade, the Bavarian cottage, known as Haus Wachenfeld, then later Berghof, was emblazoned with swastika flags and Nazi insignia
The propaganda shots try to depict Hitler as a friend to all animals as well as children. Left, he feeds a small deer and right, the resting Fuhrer with his faithful guard dog, Blonda. These photos were carefully staged to present the Fuøhrer as a man who enjoyed the great outdoors
The Berghof was built in 1916 and rented to Hitler in 1928. He then bought the building in 1933 with the proceeds from his political manifesto Mein Kampf, and set about extending it. The vacation home's close proximity to Hotel zum Turken is visible in this snap taken from the hotel's terrace
While accompanied by members of the SS, a fatherly Hitler greets some children selected from the daily gathering on the road near Haus Wachenfeld. The taller girl on the left patiently awaits an opportunity to request Hitler's autograph on the postcard that she carries; quite customary on such occasions. In the background stands Hotel zum Turken
Guests by the fence at Obersalzberg are greeted by Hitler for this propaganda snap of the leader on a full charm offensive
Members of the SA and SS accompany the Fuhrer on walkabout as he is greeted by a local child selected from the crowd in the early 1930s. As a smiling Hitler takes the boy's hand the photographer captures a vote-winning image that sets the standard for modern political campaigning
A young admirer requests the Fuhrer's autograph as he gazes back at him tenderly, both surrounded by meadow greenery
The People's Chancellor has been presented with flowers by this local girl who passes them to his SA adjutant, Wilhelm Bruckner; the young lady meanwhile appears somewhat awe-stricken by the whole experience. This postcard bears a postmark dated 26th August 1934 when Hitler had recently declared himself Head of the German State following the death, of President von Hindenburg
Left, while out on one of his numerous walks in the area Hitler stops in passing to talk to this small boy. In the background is Geli Raubal, the daughter of Hitler's half-sister Angela, his housekeeper at Haus Wachenfeld. Geli committed suicide in Hitler's Munich flat (while Hitler himself was travelling to Hamburg for a meeting with SA leaders) on the night of 17 September 1931, amid rumours of their having had an affair, though this has never been proved. Following the death of his niece Hitler remained inconsolable for many weeks. Geli Raubal's appearance in this photograph makes this a rare and interesting image; furthermore it confirms the time of origination as pre-September 1931. Right, a young lady, who bears a striking resemblance to the girl seen in the previous image poses with Hitler
Haus Wachenfeld photographed in its original rustic state before it became the notorious Nazi headquarters. In this shot, as yet no work has begun. The original path leading to the house can be seen in the foreground. Later, the property would undergo major renovation. The building glimpsed in the background, upper right, is Unterwurflehen, home to SS-Sturmbannfuøhrer Spahn, Obersalzberg administration officer
This photo from the early 1930s presents the house as it would have appeared to Hitler at the time he purchased the property in 1933. As yet there is no evidence of any renovation work having taken place; the area to the left of the house remains untouched. His neighbour, Josef Rasp, a farmer was forced off the land and his home was demolished
Adopting a thoughtful pose, the Nazi leader spent more time at the Berghof than anywhere else during World War II. Hitler, posing near the house, gazes thoughtfully across the valley in the direction of his birthplace, Austria, left. On a clear day the city of Salzburg in Austria was visible from Haus Wachenfeld, right
This early image sees a rather uncomfortable looking Hitler attempting to relax with his German shepherd while at Obersalzberg
Hitler Youth in front of the Fuhrer's house on the Obersalzberg. The flag-bearing youngsters congregate on the road near Haus Wachenfeld as an SS man makes his way through the group towards the photographer. In the background, refurbishment work can be seen underway at the house
The patience of the Party faithful waiting on the road below Haus Wachenfeld is rewarded as the Fuhrer appears on the terrace, left. Such scenes were quite commonplace through the early years of Hitler's Chancellorship. Right, two young women, having reached a point on the Obersalzberg then known as Adolf Hitler Hill, give the unmistakable Nazi salute while posing for the camera. A strategically placed flag acts like a magnet attracting people to the spot that was located close to the home of Hermann Goring. In addition to the flag, the location had a stone marker with two plaques attached
Hundreds of people line the road leading down from Hotel zum Turken towards Haus Wachenfeld in expectation of seeing their Fuhrer. In this particular instance the public have been permitted to make their way halfway up the drive leading to the house, an unusual practice which makes this a rare image
Hitler's retreat was said to be the one place he continually found peace and refuge from all the complications and pressures associated with statesmanship. Here he could relax and lead the simple life he often yearned for. Before the war several British leaders even visited the dictator at the retreat, including former Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and David Lloyd-George and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
Enthusiastic crowds salute and greet Hitler as he exchanges a few words with a young woman at the front of this orderly line; the SS are never far away, all the while maintaining order in this postcard from 1934
Left, while accompanied by Hitler Youth Leader, Baldur von Schirach (standing behind Hitler) and Hermann Goring, head of the Luftwaffe (extreme right), the Hitler engages his adoring public on the road close to Haus Wachenfeld. Right, Rosa Bernile Nienau from Munich, a favourite who with her mother wsa often invited by Hitler to visit him on the Obersalzberg
The Alpine cottage that would eventually be known as Haus Wachenfeld was first occupied in 1861 by Michael and Elisabeth Renoth. The property changed hands twice between 1891 and 1922. On 8 March 1922 the house was bought by Frau Margarete Winter-Wachenfeld, a merchant’s widow from Buxtehude near Hamburg. Frau Winter’s maiden name had been Wachenfeld; thus the property was named Haus Wachenfeld
According to the book, Alpine Headquarters, Hitler visited Berchtesgaden and the Obersalzberg for the first time in April 1923. He came to see his old friend and mentor Dietrich Eckart. Eckart, as editor of Auf gut Deutsch! (In Good German!), an anti-Semitic periodical, was wanted for questioning regarding the anti- Semitic nature of his writing. Eckart had selected the Obersalzberg as a hiding-place in his efforts to avoid arrest. At that time Eckart was using the alias Dr Hoffmann. Hitler, for his part, and in an effort not to lead the police to Eckart, came to the area using the name Herr Wolf
At the end of his visit, Hitler was, in his own words, ‘completely captivated’ by the region. Back in Munich and later that year, Hitler and the other Nazi leaders found themselves charged with high treason as a result of their unsuccessful attempt to seize power in the Munich Putsch. Above, Hitler's companions relax with the leader at Berchtesgaden in this shot from December 1933
Trio of evil: Hitler, Goebbels and Schreck stand by the drive leading to Haus Wachenfeld. Julius Schreck (1898-1936) joined the Party in 1921 and served time with Hitler in Landsberg prison following the failed Putsch. A close comrade of the Fuhrer, Schreck became the first commander of the newly formed SS in 1925 and later assumed the role of personal chauffeur and bodyguard to Hitler
Hitler at Hotel Post in the Hintersee greeting some of his old comrades from World War I. The man in the centre owned Hotel Post and had been Hitler's sergeant for a time during the First World War. The two men had remained on friendly terms and Hitler often ate at the hotel when he visited the area through the years prior to the death of his old sergeant in 1928
By 1935, the retreat's refurbishment was complete and it was renamed Berghof serving as Hitler’s vacation home for the best part of a decade. The retreat even had a spread in Homes and Gardens magazine in 1938
A view from Alpine Hotel zum Turken to Adolf Hitler's country house Haus Wachenfeld and Reiteralpe Mountains. The terrace provided an excellent viewing platform constantly used by those hoping to catch a glimpse of Hitler when he was on the Obersalzberg
The Obersalzberg and surrounding area had long been considered a health resort due to the purity of the mountain air, particularly for those with breathing ailments or in need of recuperation. Left, Hitler looks across to the valley and right, a smiling Hitler greets the crowds with a salute
Although Hitler's Berghof home on the mountain was destroyed by the Allies in bombing raids and after WW2, the tea house survived to become a tourism magnet in peacetime. Left, the grave of Paula Hitler (Adolf's sister) as it appeared when photographed in early 2007. Her final resting place is in the Bergfriedhof on the outskirts of Berchtesgaden. In late 2007 a new plaque bearing a different name was placed over the original marker bearing Paula Hitler's name. This means the plot is very difficult to find. Right, a 1933 pre-renovation snap
Hitler left the retreat for the last time in mid 1944 to run the final stages of the war from his eastern front headquarters in Poland. The collection of images appear in a new book 'Hitler's Alpine Headquarters' by James Wilson published by Pen and Sword Books
No comments:
Post a Comment