More than any other historical documents, It is the personal private letters written by a people to "their" dictator that provide the most intimate glimpses of the history of the Third Reich. A treasure of more than 100,000 such letters were recently found, hidden in a secret Russian archive. The uncensored letters reveal the true feelings of the German people - their hopes, longings and fears; also love letters, declarations of loyalty, birthday wishes and the occasional word of protest. Like a seismograph, it mirrors the change in mood in Nazi Germany, providing a reflection of the German spirit in the years from 1932 to 1945. AKA Dear Uncle Adolf.
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00:00:00The New York Times
00:00:30Dear Führer Adolf Hitler
00:00:34Dear Führer and Reich Chancellor
00:00:39Esteemed and beloved Führer
00:00:42To the Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler
00:00:45Dear Uncle Hitler
00:00:55For 60 years, tens of thousands of personal letters addressed to Adolf Hitler
00:00:59Were stored in a Moscow archive
00:01:01They have been seized by the Red Army
00:01:04Who discovered the letters in Hitler's office in Berlin
00:01:07This fan mail is an authentic testimony
00:01:10Of the hopes the Germans set on their Führer
00:01:12And their devotion to him
00:01:14My dear Führer
00:01:16I read your treasured work yesterday
00:01:18And I couldn't get it into my silly head
00:01:20Whether what I was reading was meant seriously
00:01:22Or in jest
00:01:23I am quite delirious with joy
00:01:26O Adolf Hitler, great sublime and full of wisdom
00:01:30May Emperor of Europe you become
00:01:32In you all people soon will trust
00:01:35And will rely on your being just
00:01:37Take their fate into your hands
00:01:40And bring peace and blessing to our lands
00:01:42Dear Führer
00:01:44Once again I would like to send you my best wishes
00:01:47For your birthday this year
00:01:48I wish you good health and success
00:01:50Dear Uncle Hitler
00:02:19We have been waiting for you
00:02:21To come to our Memelland for a long time now
00:02:23Everyone here
00:02:25From the youngest children to the elderly
00:02:27Enthusiastically salutes you
00:02:28And cries
00:02:29Heil Hitler
00:02:29It would make us all so very happy
00:02:32If our land could once again
00:02:34Become part of Germany
00:02:35Please come soon
00:02:36And save us from the Jews and the Lithuanians
00:02:39The Jews here are not only
00:02:41Taking away our bread
00:02:42They even slaughter Christians at Easter
00:02:44So dear Uncle Adolf
00:02:47Please come as soon as you can
00:02:48Love from your little
00:02:50Thirteen and three-quarters-year-old niece
00:02:52Annelene Kleetz
00:02:54Heidekrog, Memelland
00:02:55May the 7th, 1933
00:02:58Unfurled the banners
00:03:18Put out the flags
00:03:20The dawn of Germany
00:03:22Has arrived at last
00:03:24The hour of destiny
00:03:26So eagerly awaited has come
00:03:28Control is in our Führer's hands
00:03:31Make way for the brown battalions
00:03:34We stand prepared with fists clenched
00:03:37Millions of hearts are filled with hope anew
00:03:40Whose trust in the Führer remained unwaveringly true
00:03:45So let us stand firmly together
00:03:48And reaffirm our pledge of allegiance
00:03:51Unfurl the swastika
00:03:53That banner of freedom
00:03:55Heil Adolf Hitler
00:03:56Hail to the German land
00:03:59To the Führer
00:04:01On January the 30th, 1933
00:04:04Olga Pinich
00:04:06Articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and 153 of the Constitution of the German Reich
00:04:26Will be abrogated until further notice
00:04:29With immediate effect
00:04:32Restrictions on personal liberty
00:04:34On the right to freedom of expression
00:04:36Including the freedom of the press
00:04:38And the right of assembly
00:04:39As well as interventions in the privacy of the post
00:04:43Correspondence
00:04:44Telegraph and telephone
00:04:46Orders for house searches
00:04:48And confiscations
00:04:49And restrictions on property
00:04:51Will be permissible
00:04:53Beyond the scope specified hitherto
00:04:56Emergency decree of February the 28th, 1933
00:05:00Mr. Reich Chancellor
00:05:13I urge you to put an end to these goings-on
00:05:17The Jews will get through this peril
00:05:19With the same tenacity
00:05:20That has characterized this people for many centuries
00:05:23The ignominy and calamity, however
00:05:25That will be bestowed on Germany because of this
00:05:28Will not be forgotten for a long time to come
00:05:30For who will be ultimately affected
00:05:33By the blow we now aim at the Jews
00:05:35But we ourselves
00:05:36Amin T. Wigner
00:05:38April the 11th, 1933
00:05:40I confirm receipt of your letter
00:06:03Of April the 20th, 1933
00:06:05As one of the earlier party members
00:06:07Since 1931
00:06:09I regret having inadvertently
00:06:11Incurred your displeasure
00:06:12I have immediately stopped production
00:06:14Of the Adolf Hitler gateau
00:06:16I would like to point out
00:06:18That it was not opportunistic profiteering
00:06:20That prompted this gateau
00:06:21But the many party comrades
00:06:23Frequenting my shop
00:06:24Who demanded that I should create
00:06:26A Hitler gateau
00:06:28Which proved very popular
00:06:29Just like the Hindenburg torta
00:06:31And the Bismarck biscuit roll
00:06:34Bruno Utasch, confectioner
00:06:36Marienwerda, West Prussia
00:06:38The relatively few Marxists and Jews
00:07:07Amongst our gymnasts
00:07:08Had to leave the association
00:07:10The Führer's principles
00:07:11Have been implemented
00:07:12I am also hopeful
00:07:14That we can join
00:07:15In a close and active work group
00:07:17Together with the SA and Stahlherm
00:07:19My Führer
00:07:20Please place your trust in us
00:07:22The leader
00:07:23Former first chairman
00:07:24Of the German gymnast association
00:07:26May the 16th, 1933
00:07:29Dear Mr. Reich Chancellor
00:07:56I am writing to you
00:07:58For the third time
00:07:59I simply refuse to believe
00:08:01That you will not answer my plea
00:08:03And I am getting more desperate
00:08:05Every month
00:08:06How is it possible
00:08:07That my husband
00:08:08Is still in custody
00:08:09After five months
00:08:10Without a court hearing
00:08:11Having been scheduled
00:08:12Had he committed a serious crime
00:08:15I would understand
00:08:16But the way the things are
00:08:18Is simply beyond me
00:08:20Please show mercy
00:08:22And give my husband
00:08:22His freedom back
00:08:23Thank you
00:08:25I firmly believe
00:08:26You will resolve the matter
00:08:27I remain
00:08:29With a Hitler salute
00:08:30Edith Badke
00:08:32Berlin, Neukölln
00:08:34Dear Mr. Reich Chancellor
00:08:43As a German mother
00:08:45I feel the need
00:08:46To express my gratitude
00:08:47To my dear Führer
00:08:49Adolf Hitler
00:08:49I praise fate
00:08:51And ask the Almighty
00:08:53In my daily prayers
00:08:54That he may keep you healthy
00:08:55I also sincerely wish
00:08:58To thank you
00:08:58For giving worth
00:08:59To those of us
00:09:00Who have large families
00:09:01You can rest assured
00:09:03That I will raise
00:09:04My nine children
00:09:05According to your wishes
00:09:06And for our beloved fatherland
00:09:08By way of thanks
00:09:11I am enclosing a picture
00:09:12Of my youngest son
00:09:13Every time he hears the song
00:09:15The flag up high
00:09:16He raises his arm in salute
00:09:18Sieg Heil
00:09:20Frau Ida Fiebig
00:09:21Hainau
00:09:22Silesia
00:09:23January 1934
00:09:25Some 10,000 personal letters
00:09:28Arrived in the private
00:09:29Office of the Führer
00:09:30Every year
00:09:31Often accompanied
00:09:32By small presents
00:09:33Or pictures
00:09:33Though Hitler
00:09:35Did not read all of them
00:09:36Personally
00:09:36For a long time
00:09:38He regarded them
00:09:38As a yardstick
00:09:40Of his popularity
00:09:41A German woman's dream
00:09:41A German woman's dream
00:09:44To see the Führer
00:09:45To see the Führer just once
00:09:46Just once to stand close to him
00:09:48Just once to gaze
00:09:49Into those eyes
00:09:50Those eyes
00:09:51They call the prophets
00:09:52You hold the hearts
00:09:54Of an entire people
00:09:55In your hands
00:09:56And anyone
00:09:57Who has seen you pass by
00:09:59They are envied
00:10:00By those who stand by
00:10:01I too may never
00:10:03Catch a glimpse
00:10:04But with every greeting
00:10:05It's your name I call
00:10:07Heil Hitler
00:10:08It's almost like
00:10:09Offering a prayer
00:10:10The raised hand
00:10:11Asking for your blessing
00:10:13May God bless you
00:10:14And protect you
00:10:15Heil Hitler
00:10:16That is my prayer for you
00:10:18Gertrude Sprink
00:10:20Berlin
00:10:20Dear Mr. Reich Chancellor
00:10:41I have been following
00:10:43The events of the past year
00:10:45With great admiration
00:10:46And confidence
00:10:46For I am a good German
00:10:48At heart
00:10:49Who loves
00:10:49And is deeply attached
00:10:51To the welfare
00:10:52Of the cherished fatherland
00:10:53Yet
00:10:54Despite all the admiration
00:10:56There is a trace
00:10:57Of bitterness in my heart
00:10:58And I have asked myself
00:11:00A hundred times
00:11:01Why this was necessary
00:11:02What I cannot agree with
00:11:05Is the unfair treatment
00:11:06Of thousands of my brethren
00:11:08In faith
00:11:08Who feel as German as I do
00:11:11And think in the same way
00:11:12Before the national revolution
00:11:15I was standing
00:11:16On my own two feet
00:11:17But like a bolt
00:11:19Out of the blue
00:11:19I lost all my clients
00:11:21No government agency
00:11:23No town council
00:11:24Nor even any private citizen
00:11:26Would place an order with me
00:11:28What have I done
00:11:30To deserve this
00:11:30Dear Mr. Reich Chancellor
00:11:32So I am asking you
00:11:34To please exercise
00:11:35Your authority
00:11:36And give us back
00:11:37Our lives
00:11:38And I will be deeply grateful
00:11:40And profoundly obliged to you
00:11:42Heinrich Herz
00:11:43Jewish Master Craftsman
00:11:45From Hamborn
00:11:46On the Rhine
00:11:47April the 27th
00:11:491934
00:11:50On May 1st
00:12:05Germany celebrated
00:12:06The National Labour Day
00:12:07For the second time
00:12:08The youth rally
00:12:09Took place at 9 in the morning
00:12:10In the Lustgarten in Berlin
00:12:12And was transmitted
00:12:13Via loudspeakers
00:12:14To the entire German Reich
00:12:16Adolf Hitler and Dr. Goebbels
00:12:18Gave beautiful speeches
00:12:20About labour
00:12:20Afterward we staged a small procession
00:12:40Along the festively decorated streets
00:12:42Of our village
00:12:43In the afternoon
00:12:44The village organizations
00:12:46And the craftsmen
00:12:47All went to Hadamah
00:12:48To take part in the parade there
00:12:50Which set off at 3 o'clock
00:12:51Mounted storm troops
00:12:54Rode in front
00:12:54Followed by the various associations
00:12:56Of workers and craftsmen
00:12:58On the town hall square
00:13:00Several speeches were given
00:13:01On the meaning of May Day
00:13:03From a school essay
00:13:041934
00:13:06Shortly after the Nazis' rise to power
00:13:25The leaders of the Social Democratic Party
00:13:27Went into exile
00:13:28However
00:13:29They maintained contact
00:13:30To fellow Social Democrats
00:13:32In Germany
00:13:32And systematically collected
00:13:34Their critical information
00:13:35From within the Reich
00:13:37The youth is solidly in favour
00:13:40Of the new system
00:13:41The drills
00:13:42The uniforms
00:13:43The camps
00:13:44The fact that school
00:13:46And family
00:13:47Have taken a back seat
00:13:48To the youth organizations
00:13:49All of this
00:13:50Is wonderful
00:13:51A great time
00:13:53Without any dangers
00:13:54Many people believe
00:13:57That the persecution
00:13:58Of Jews and Marxists
00:13:59Will provide opportunities
00:14:01For their businesses
00:14:02To prosper
00:14:03Germany report
00:14:05Of the German Social Democratic Party
00:14:06Prague
00:14:07June 26, 1934
00:14:10As a resident of the Erzgebirge Mountains
00:14:26I would very much like to meet
00:14:28Our Führer just once
00:14:30Therefore
00:14:30I would like to humbly ask
00:14:32Whether it would be possible
00:14:33For me to come to Berlin
00:14:35To see our Führer
00:14:36Furthermore
00:14:37I would also like to ask
00:14:38If it could be arranged
00:14:39That when I see our Führer
00:14:41I could also give him a haircut
00:14:43I am a barber by trade
00:14:45And 46 years old
00:14:47Should my request
00:14:48Be made possible
00:14:49It would be the happiest
00:14:50Moment of my life
00:14:51Heil Hitler
00:14:52Kurt Rudolf Kempe
00:14:54Master Barber
00:14:55Seifen
00:14:56Seifen
00:14:56Erzgebirge
00:14:57April 4, 1935
00:14:59Dear Führer and Reich Chancellor
00:15:13As a severely war disabled person
00:15:16And incapable of gainful employment
00:15:18For seven years now
00:15:19I take the liberty
00:15:21Of presenting my Führer
00:15:22With a model
00:15:23Of Obersalzberg
00:15:24Which I made myself
00:15:26Despite my condition
00:15:28I spent all my spare time
00:15:29Working on the model
00:15:30And have managed to complete it
00:15:32After four months of hard work
00:15:34It has taken a lot of patience
00:15:36And effort to construct the model
00:15:38Out of materials
00:15:39That cost very little
00:15:40Or nothing at all
00:15:41This, however, does not affect
00:15:43The final result
00:15:44Which I managed to complete tastefully
00:15:46And according to my full satisfaction
00:15:48I would now like to present it
00:15:50To my Führer
00:15:51In the hope
00:15:52That he will appreciate it
00:15:54Heil mein Führer
00:15:55Leonhard Reingruber
00:15:56Nürnberg
00:15:57April 10, 1935
00:16:11I am a forest man
00:16:13From the heart of Styria
00:16:14Who would often go hunting
00:16:16With pleasure
00:16:17To shoot deer
00:16:18Noble and strong
00:16:19Full of joy
00:16:20And manly pride
00:16:22My Führer
00:16:23As a country man
00:16:25I can have no presents
00:16:26Of gold to give
00:16:27Only this ornament
00:16:29Attired and brown
00:16:30Which I lay at your feet
00:16:32It stands for the loyalty
00:16:34Of those living
00:16:35In darkness and servitude
00:16:36In forests and mountains
00:16:38Gorges and crags
00:16:40And keeping watch
00:16:41With a swastika flag
00:16:43Robert Fisterer
00:16:44Forestry Commissioner
00:16:46Things are not looking good
00:16:56After the occupation
00:16:58Of the Rhineland
00:16:58We are in danger
00:17:00Of being cut off
00:17:01Many Germans
00:17:03Are aware of it too
00:17:04Despite being constantly
00:17:05Subjected to the barrage
00:17:07Of Nazi propaganda
00:17:08The population in general
00:17:11Expects that there will be war
00:17:13The downright challenging manner
00:17:16With which Hitler sought
00:17:17To justify his breaking
00:17:18Of the treaty
00:17:19Impressed even those
00:17:21Who were not
00:17:21Particularly fond of him
00:17:23Everyone felt
00:17:25There to be some legitimacy
00:17:27In Hitler's demands
00:17:28The legacy of Versailles
00:17:30Is loathed by all Germans
00:17:32And now Hitler
00:17:34Has torn up this abominable treaty
00:17:36And thrown it
00:17:37At the feet of the French
00:17:38Germany report
00:17:41Of the German Social Democratic Party
00:17:43Prague
00:17:43March 1936
00:17:45Dear Fuhrer
00:17:53We are still under the spell
00:17:55Of yesterday's events
00:17:56We
00:17:57The citizens of Tsarbrücken
00:17:58Were filled with indescribable
00:18:00Jubilation and enthusiasm
00:18:02When after 17 years
00:18:04German soldiers
00:18:05Once again marched
00:18:06Into our city
00:18:07We would like to thank you
00:18:09From the bottom of our hearts
00:18:10For restoring pride
00:18:12And freedom
00:18:12To our beloved
00:18:13Fatherland
00:18:14May heaven bless you
00:18:16And your work
00:18:17And enable you
00:18:18Our esteemed Fuhrer
00:18:19To lead our German Fatherland
00:18:21To new heights
00:18:22With loyal German greetings
00:18:24From Tsarland
00:18:25Clara and Elie Walterhofer
00:18:28March the 8th
00:18:291936
00:18:30This is a dream
00:18:35That all peoples dream
00:18:36When princes and rulers
00:18:38Scholars and priests
00:18:39Are at a loss
00:18:40Because the laws have failed
00:18:42Faith has become
00:18:43Confused
00:18:44And people have gone wild
00:18:45That a common man
00:18:47Will step out
00:18:48From amongst the despondent crowd
00:18:49Asked for by no one
00:18:51But yearned for by everyone
00:18:53To save them all
00:18:54The people see this man
00:18:56And dimly realize
00:18:58That he has arrived
00:18:59At the very last moment
00:19:00Recognize themselves in him
00:19:03And all at once
00:19:04Know what they want
00:19:06Bruno Brehm
00:19:07Austrian author
00:19:081936
00:19:10The march of the German troops
00:19:24Into Austria
00:19:24Has caused a tremendous stir
00:19:26Summing up
00:19:28One can say
00:19:29That the mood
00:19:29Of the population
00:19:30Had been deeply despondent
00:19:32But as soon as the news
00:19:34Of Hitler's reception
00:19:35In Linz
00:19:35Came on the radio
00:19:36The atmosphere changed
00:19:38And the tension
00:19:39Eased palpably
00:19:40Now there will be no war
00:19:43Now our boys will come back
00:19:46Now no enemy airplanes
00:19:49Will fly over our heads
00:19:50Now Austria
00:19:52Is part of Germany
00:19:54And Hitler
00:19:55Has accomplished it
00:19:56So the Nazis
00:19:58Have the upper hand again
00:19:59This is quite an achievement
00:20:02Without a single gunshot
00:20:04Being fired
00:20:05And the others
00:20:06Went down like flies
00:20:07Hitler
00:20:08Is a master of politics
00:20:10A really great statesman
00:20:12Such were the thoughts
00:20:14People expressed in Austria
00:20:15But what has become
00:20:17Of red Vienna
00:20:18Germany report
00:20:20For the German
00:20:21Social Democratic Party
00:20:22April 9th
00:20:241938
00:20:25I am a leader
00:20:27And the chancellor
00:20:28Of the German nation
00:20:29Of the Reich
00:20:30I will now
00:20:31In the German history
00:20:33The return
00:20:35Of my home
00:20:36In the German Reich
00:20:38Dear and beloved Fuhrer
00:20:42On the 18th of April 1938
00:20:45I gave birth
00:20:46To our second son
00:20:47Unfortunately
00:20:49I could not delay
00:20:50His delivery
00:20:50For another two days
00:20:51Until the 20th
00:20:53I was therefore
00:20:54Forced to avoid
00:20:55Big crowds
00:20:55During the days
00:20:56Of celebrations
00:20:57For our liberation
00:20:58And did not have
00:20:59An opportunity
00:21:00To see you
00:21:00Not even from a distance
00:21:02May you forever
00:21:04Be in our Lord's
00:21:05Special charge
00:21:06And may he bless you
00:21:07A thousand times
00:21:08With reverential love
00:21:10And loyal allegiance
00:21:11Yours sincerely
00:21:13Maria Oberhoma
00:21:14Vienna
00:21:15November 1st
00:21:171938
00:21:18Our head teacher
00:21:24Has told us many times
00:21:26How fond you are
00:21:26Of children
00:21:27I am very fond of you too
00:21:29But I can't be quite so happy
00:21:31Because my dad
00:21:32Has been in custody
00:21:33For a long time
00:21:34And I never see him
00:21:35Please
00:21:37Give me my father back
00:21:38Gehild's Alpha
00:21:40Linz
00:21:41April 8th
00:21:421938
00:21:43I swear
00:21:50I have always felt German
00:21:52And behaved as a German
00:21:53I swear
00:21:54I do not possess
00:21:55Any Jewish attributes
00:21:57Jewish ways of thinking
00:21:58Or Jewish mannerisms
00:21:59And I have always taken
00:22:01And I have always taken great pains
00:22:02To evade any Jewish influence
00:22:03I swear that my external appearance
00:22:06Is exactly that of an Aryan woman
00:22:08Had I been a foundling
00:22:10No one would have doubted
00:22:11My Aryan descent
00:22:12I implore you
00:22:14Führer of the German people
00:22:15Absolve me of the curse
00:22:17Of being a Jew
00:22:18I implore you
00:22:19Not to oust me
00:22:20From the German community
00:22:21Do not make me homeless
00:22:23For my home is Germany
00:22:25With heartfelt thanks
00:22:27For your magnificent feat
00:22:28Of reunifying my home country
00:22:30With the great German homeland
00:22:32I am and remain
00:22:33Loyally German
00:22:35Dr. Lotter
00:22:36Vienna
00:22:37April 9th
00:22:391938
00:22:40Mr. Hitler
00:22:45I don't know
00:22:46Whether you believe
00:22:47In mysticism
00:22:48In some great
00:22:49Or invisible force
00:22:50Surrounding us
00:22:51Which can only be sensed
00:22:52I do
00:22:53I know there is something
00:22:55In this world
00:22:56That links my life
00:22:57To yours
00:22:57My God
00:22:59I may never be able
00:23:00To sacrifice my life
00:23:01For you
00:23:02Although it would be
00:23:03The greatest joy
00:23:04For me to die
00:23:05For you
00:23:05For your principles
00:23:06For your idea
00:23:08My Fuhrer
00:23:08My knight in shining armour
00:23:10My God
00:23:11Yours unto death
00:23:13Baroness Elsa Hagen
00:23:16Von Kilwine
00:23:16Alexandria, Egypt
00:23:18To my beloved Fuhrer
00:23:38I am sending my most
00:23:39Sincere wishes
00:23:40And my congratulations
00:23:42For your valued work
00:23:43The party convention
00:23:45In Nuremberg
00:23:45Was very memorable
00:23:47And impressive
00:23:48It becomes more
00:23:49And more splendid
00:23:50Every year
00:23:51How are you otherwise
00:23:53My dear Fuhrer
00:23:53I hope you are feeling well
00:23:55And have not caught a cold
00:23:56Nuremberg was very wet
00:23:58And cold this year
00:23:59As the party convention
00:24:01Is drawing to an end
00:24:02I wish you
00:24:03My dear Chancellor
00:24:04Of the Reich
00:24:05A very pleasant Sunday
00:24:07With a German greeting
00:24:09A triple Sieg Heil
00:24:10Gertrude Juliana
00:24:12September the 17th
00:24:141938
00:24:15Dear Fuhrer
00:24:30It was my ninth birthday
00:24:31On the 29th of September
00:24:33And I thank you
00:24:34For giving me
00:24:34Such a wonderful birthday present
00:24:36By bringing the Sudetenland
00:24:37Back to Germany
00:24:38Now my daddy
00:24:39Will not have to go to war
00:24:41He is very young
00:24:42I wish you all the best
00:24:44And a long, happy life
00:24:45Warm regards
00:24:47From your Helga J
00:24:48Bunsbeek
00:24:49I knitted these socks for you
00:25:04While you were liberating
00:25:05Sudetenland
00:25:06So now we have both
00:25:08Reached our goals
00:25:09Though yours is a major one
00:25:11And mine only small
00:25:12Please accept these socks
00:25:14My Fuhrer
00:25:14I hope that my instincts
00:25:16Serve me right
00:25:17And they are the right size for you
00:25:18With deepest admiration
00:25:20And gratitude
00:25:21Margarita Witte
00:25:22Hagenau
00:25:23October 1938
00:25:36In 1938
00:26:00In 1938, the SS Security Service started to draw up its own reports on the mood within the German population.
00:26:10These reports from the Reich were confidential, intended only for a small circle of senior Nazi officials.
00:26:19The actions against the Jews in November were not well received.
00:26:24The liberal attitude of many made them feel they had to stand up for the Jewry.
00:26:28The destruction of the synagogues was declared to be irresponsible, and people defended the poor, oppressed Jews.
00:26:38Our observations show that the measures against the Jews were met with much more disapproval in the south, with the exception of Austria,
00:26:47and the west of the Reich, Catholic, densely populated, predominantly urban, than in the north, Protestant, less densely populated, rural population.
00:26:56Security Service Annual Report, 1938.
00:27:08The financial situation of the Reich is critical.
00:27:10An initial remedy is the fine of one billion Reichmarks imposed on the Jews, and the profits from the Aryanization of Jewish businesses.
00:27:19November the 18th, 1938, Werman, Foreign Office Representative, noted during a classified Göring speech.
00:27:28The End
00:27:44you may still remember the fervent dreams of your youth
00:27:57which you would relate to me after attending the Wagner music dramas in Linz together
00:28:02and more often in the Vienna Opera House
00:28:05and you would envisage Bayreuth as the most brightly shining star in the canopy of German art
00:28:11I am so deeply moved that I am at a loss for words
00:28:15to express my immense gratitude for the good fortune
00:28:19which has enabled me to witness the unequaled experience of the Bayreuth Festival
00:28:24as a result of your kindness
00:28:26and should you, my Führer, come to the Bayreuth Festival
00:28:30please crown your magnanimity by allowing me to see you again
00:28:35August Kubicek
00:28:37a boyhood friend of Hitler's
00:28:40dear Führer Adolf Hitler
00:28:54a woman from Saxony would like to bear your child
00:28:59I understand this is an unusual wish
00:29:01but the idea that you of all people should have no children is constantly on my mind
00:29:06and this is the reason why I am writing you this letter
00:29:09with warmest regards and womanly admiration
00:29:13Friedel S. Hartmannsdorf
00:29:15April the 23rd, 1939
00:29:18My Führer, tomorrow you and with you all of Greater Germany will celebrate your 50th birthday
00:29:28what you mean to us and how you are worshipped by the German people will find unparalleled and more convincing expression in the celebrations than can be described in words
00:29:40The things you have achieved for Germany and thus for us all in recent years will go down in history
00:29:47Only forthcoming generations will be able to fully comprehend the magnitude of your accomplishments
00:29:53Heilmeidführer
00:29:54Rheinmetall-Borsig Aktiengesellschaft PLC Berlin
00:29:59The Board of Directors, Helmut Rönert, Eberhard Breuninger
00:30:03One can safely say that the entire nation is convinced that Hitler is a great politician
00:30:15This conviction is based solely on his foreign policy successes
00:30:19which no one, not even the staunchest Nazis, had thought possible
00:30:24It is possible that this deference to Hitler as a politician will soon wane
00:30:30once the first obvious foreign policy mistakes occur
00:30:34Germany Report for the German Social Democratic Party
00:30:38April 1939
00:30:40I heard recently that Ilduce consulted an eye specialist in Switzerland
00:30:51to stop his impending loss of sight
00:30:54and that the doctor did not give him much hope
00:30:56I have given the matter a lot of thought
00:30:58and believed that the reason the eye specialist could not help
00:31:01was because Ilduce requires a new retina
00:31:04which would have to be transplanted from a healthy eye
00:31:07Therefore, I am asking you, my Führer
00:31:09to allow me to offer Ilduce one of my eyes
00:31:12in the hope that his problem will be cured
00:31:15The Swiss professor could then replace my eye with a good quality glass one
00:31:19Were I to lose my eye during an accident or in the war
00:31:23I would have had to accept its loss without anyone benefiting from it
00:31:27Franz Günther Teger, Wiesbaden
00:31:30July 29, 1939
00:31:32We are always inclined to peace
00:31:45But when an enemy shows its teeth
00:31:47Then the country's wheels will stand
00:31:50The people rises, weapons in hand
00:31:52And whether from south, east or west
00:31:54They're all aglow from Hitler's zest
00:31:57Rising up like a single force
00:31:59To defend and set the world on course
00:32:01With German greetings
00:32:03Louis Kessler, Mülheim Ruhr
00:32:05To our Führer, Adolf Hitler, Berlin
00:32:14250 citizens from the district of the March of Brandenburg
00:32:19who are holidaying in Rochlitz at the Riesengebirge
00:32:22wish to thank you for bringing the splendid Sudetenland
00:32:25back into the fatherland
00:32:27thus allowing us to spend our holidays at this wonderful place
00:32:30Our hearts and thoughts are always with you
00:32:33Wherever you lead us, we will follow
00:32:36Sieg Heil
00:32:37On behalf of the grateful holidaymakers
00:32:39Koröde
00:32:40Tour Guide
00:32:41August the 18th, 1939
00:32:44My dear Führer Adolf Hitler
00:32:54I know you are on the war front now
00:32:56So I wish you a very happy Sunday
00:32:58And I am sending you this chocolate
00:33:00Mommy gave it to me
00:33:02But I am sure that you will be pleased to have it
00:33:04And that's why I'd like to give it to you
00:33:06I cried when I heard you were going to Poland
00:33:09Because I was afraid you might be shot dead
00:33:12But Mommy says God will protect you
00:33:15If I continue to pray for you
00:33:16Every night
00:33:17And that's what I will do
00:33:19Because I am so fond of you
00:33:21Please stay healthy
00:33:22And take extra good care
00:33:24Liesel Braun, Mimel
00:33:25September the 8th, 1939
00:33:27It was evident that people from all sections of the population
00:33:38Are more interested in food issues than politics
00:33:41Everyone is worried about how to get their rations
00:33:44And whether they can get some more on top of it
00:33:47There is a widespread fear that the worst is yet to come
00:33:51No signs of enthusiasm for the war
00:33:54Nor did I detect much faith in the leaders of the Third Reich
00:33:57But rather apprehension
00:33:59Fear of the future
00:34:01A sense of restriction and widespread latent resentment
00:34:04It's not the lull before the storm
00:34:07But rather an atmosphere of oppression
00:34:09Full of tension
00:34:11Because of the uncertainty of things to come
00:34:13Germany Report for the German Social Democratic Party
00:34:16October 1939
00:34:18Dear Uncle Adolf
00:34:21First of all, let me congratulate you
00:34:24On your ingenious conduct of the war
00:34:26What we hear on the radio
00:34:28Is almost beyond belief
00:34:29Our soldiers have achieved amazing things
00:34:32Two of my brothers are fighting in the war
00:34:35But I am proud that I am also able to help
00:34:38Win this great struggle
00:34:39Which I am sure we will
00:34:41Best wishes from your young recruit
00:34:43Hildegard Lippert
00:34:44Dorf Kümnitz, Erzgebirge
00:34:47Reich Labour Service
00:34:48Oktober the 4th, 1939
00:34:50Dearest soul
00:34:58Tomorrow it is your birthday again
00:35:00We must both be brave and patient
00:35:03Your Gerdah will always be by your side, my wolf
00:35:07And will never leave you
00:35:08My home is by your side
00:35:11May the Almighty watch over you, my precious
00:35:14And show you his grace again
00:35:16In the new year of your life
00:35:18May he let us merge ever more into one
00:35:21I take your beloved head in both hands
00:35:24Close to my heart
00:35:26And kiss you for your birthday
00:35:28Your Gerdah R, Berlin
00:35:31April the 19th, 1940
00:35:34The officially authorized pillaging of Jews continued
00:35:45Or more accurately was coming to its end
00:35:47As almost all Jewish property had already been seized
00:35:50One after the other
00:35:52The buildings belonging to the Jewish community
00:35:54That had not yet been confiscated
00:35:55Passed into the ownership of the state
00:35:58And the city councils
00:35:59The Israelite hospital in Leipzig for instance
00:36:02Became property of the city
00:36:04And was converted into a municipal hospital
00:36:06The Jewish patients were evicted
00:36:09The Jewish school buildings in Berlin
00:36:12Were also confiscated
00:36:13And now provide shelter to people evacuated
00:36:16From the Rhineland
00:36:17The general mood that has evolved recently
00:36:29Is quite optimistic regarding the outcome of the war
00:36:32The notion that Germany might lose the war
00:36:35Does not even occur to most people
00:36:36Only few are concerned about the outcome of the war
00:36:40The fall of Hitler will be welcomed by many
00:36:43But they are terrified of the cost of a defeat
00:36:47Therefore, many people would prefer Hitler to stay in power
00:36:50Rather than face the consequences of a defeat
00:36:54People fear that a state of total chaos and anarchy would follow
00:36:58This attitude, which is widespread amongst the population
00:37:01Eliminates any thoughts other than victory in the war
00:37:05Germany report for the German Social Democratic Party
00:37:08April 8, 1940
00:37:10The Americans who say
00:37:40The sight of German soldiers marching into Paris has filled us with indescribable joy.
00:37:47We are deeply moved and grateful to you, my Fuhrer, for your and Germany's great victory.
00:37:53The feats you are accomplishing are unequaled in the history of mankind and beyond the bounds of human imagination.
00:38:00How can we ever thank you enough?
00:38:03Congratulations are far too trivial an expression to convey the feelings within me.
00:38:07Yours, Linie Riefenstahl.
00:38:10Film director.
00:38:14We love life and yet must part from it and must replace it with darkest night.
00:38:21We love joy and yet must suffer and must be defeated by the powers of fate.
00:38:28We need to make room for others.
00:38:31We must lose so that they may win.
00:38:35To do this means dying, renouncing life.
00:38:39Death is hard.
00:38:41And there's no escape.
00:38:44Poem by an 18-year-old Baltic German.
00:38:47September the 14th, 1940.
00:38:49Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union is an event of such far-reaching consequences that I dare not comment on it.
00:39:01However, there is one thing I want to note.
00:39:04My first instinctive reaction when I heard the tremendous news was a feeling of relief.
00:39:10Of course one is horrified, appalled and also concerned.
00:39:14But one does heave a sigh of relief.
00:39:17The air has become clearer.
00:39:20Is he a lunatic, this Hitler?
00:39:22He could have sided with Chamberlain's England against Communist Russia.
00:39:26Or with Russia against the Anglo-Saxon capitalist world.
00:39:29But no, he has to attack both.
00:39:32He is, unquestionably, a lunatic.
00:39:37Thank God.
00:39:38In his madness, he will achieve what no diplomacy in the world could bring about.
00:39:43An alliance between East and West.
00:39:45Between Bolshevism and democracy.
00:39:47If this great coalition should indeed be formed, and if it stands the test of time,
00:39:54then maybe our endangered civilization could be saved.
00:39:58In this case, we should be grateful to the lunatic Hitler, who would then be a dead Hitler.
00:40:06Klaus Mann, author in exile.
00:40:09Diary entry of June 29th, 1941.
00:40:17What is important is the inclusion of the Russian agricultural and food production into the European framework.
00:40:24This will inevitably cause industry to die out, and result in the death of a large part of the population.
00:40:31Many tens of millions of people will become superfluous in this area,
00:40:35and will have to die, or emigrate to Siberia.
00:40:39Political Economic Directors for the Economic Organization East, Department of Agriculture, May 23rd, 1941.
00:40:47The Ecclesiastical Council of the German Protestant Church
00:41:15has congregated for the first time since the beginning of the crucial struggle in the East.
00:41:20And in these eventful and tumultuous hours again declares the unwavering loyalty and devotedness
00:41:27of all the Protestant Christians in the Reich to you, our Führer.
00:41:32You have banished the Bolshevist danger in our land,
00:41:35and are now calling upon our nation and the nations of Europe
00:41:38to fight against the mortal enemy of all order and all Western Christian culture.
00:41:45The German nation, and with it all its Christian members,
00:41:49thank you for this deed.
00:41:51The Ecclesiastical Council of the German Protestant Church
00:41:54Marahans, Schulz, Hümen
00:41:56June 30th, 1941
00:41:59The resettlement of Jews in Cologne for the purpose of vacating housing for victims of air raids
00:42:16in the cities of Cologne and Trier
00:42:17commenced on October 21st and continues step by step.
00:42:22The regional finance director of Cologne, CUNA, November 4th, 1941
00:42:27Lübeck was bombed by the Royal Air Force.
00:42:39Good.
00:42:40Can one be as hardened, as cruel, as to applaud the apocalypse?
00:42:46For the circumstances surrounding the bombing of a modern city are certainly apocalyptic.
00:42:53The agony of innocent children, the panic of the masses, the collective suffering.
00:42:59Is this good?
00:43:00It is not, but it's unavoidable.
00:43:03Hitler must fall, and I am all for the bombings.
00:43:07Klaus Mann, diary entry of April the 21st, 1942
00:43:10Stalingrad is an enormous victory for the Russians.
00:43:26To eliminate an army of 300,000 men is a great strategic achievement.
00:43:31How insanity can drive a man to such a colossal error defies comprehension.
00:43:36Could Hitler not foresee that his plans would bring the entire world into the arena?
00:43:42No.
00:43:44This diabolical fanatic was always prepared to carry matters to extremes.
00:43:49Heinrich B.
00:43:51Kasbach-Niremagen
00:43:52Diary entry of February the 15th, 1943
00:43:56After the defeat of Stalingrad, the number of letters to Adolf Hitler dwindled steadily.
00:44:27On his last birthday, he received mail from fewer than 100 well-wishers.
00:44:37There are widespread rumors that the Führer is ill.
00:44:41According to these, the Führer is in a sanatorium in Dresden, or on the Oberzelsberg.
00:44:46Another version claims that renowned physicians have been summoned to the Führer's headquarters to treat him after suffering a nervous breakdown.
00:44:54Security Service Reports from the Reich, March 15th, 1943
00:44:59Dedicated to His Excellency, Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler.
00:45:15And now the time has come for the fifth and most interesting labor, the cleaning of the royal Orgian stables.
00:45:23It does not take long to look around, as, the cause of the filth, the Jews are easily found.
00:45:29With his usual aplomb, Hitler will achieve this labor, and as in such matters he is thorough, will soon feel relief and liberation.
00:45:39The Jews will be flushed away in confusion, and so, forever in East and West, Germany will be delivered from this pest.
00:45:46Heinrich Ritter, Architekt, Mark Gröningen, near Ludwigsburg.
00:45:50The sender wishes to inform you that a 14-year-old non-Aryan boy by the name of Rudy Seidel
00:46:19was deported to the East, a Swiedschirm camp.
00:46:23She kindly requests his release by a pardon, as he is of mixed parentage and not a Jew.
00:46:30Petition by Paula Levin from Berlin-Wilmersdorf, April 9th, 1943
00:46:35To our Führer.
00:46:43As in previous years, we, the members of the Women's League and the Red Cross working together in the sewing room of the local group in Schill,
00:46:51send our best wishes for your birthday, dear Führer.
00:46:54This year, when deliberating over a birthday donation, we decided to focus on the bomb victims.
00:47:00We have turned wool and fabric remnants into new and useful things in the hope that these will alleviate suffering and give some pleasure.
00:47:09Heil to our beloved Führer.
00:47:11Anneliese Schmundt and 19 women from the sewing room of the Schill local group.
00:47:16April 20th, 1943.
00:47:19Mein Führer, on your 54th birthday, we wish to render our humble and loyal wishes
00:47:34and express our confidence that all your bold plans in the interests of our fatherland
00:47:40will victoriously come to fruition in this new year of your life
00:47:45with loyalty and devotion, Heinrich Georg and members of the Schiller Theater of the Reich Capital.
00:47:53April 20th, 1943.
00:48:05After the raids, the population seems exhausted and apathetic.
00:48:08However, the majority of comrades who had lost everything seem happy to have escaped with their lives.
00:48:16In isolated cases, comments against the state, the party and its leadership were voiced by opponents.
00:48:23It was often observed that onlookers surrounding the damaged sites tried to provoke and agitate the victims.
00:48:31In many cases, negative remarks were also made by comrades whose nerves were shattered as a result of the disaster
00:48:37and who got carried away into making remarks against the state.
00:48:44One characteristic comment was made by a comrade in Dusseldorf in the presence of a member of the SS.
00:48:49We have our Führer to thank for this.
00:48:54Security Service Reports on Domestic Issues, June 17th, 1943.
00:48:58We have air raids every day.
00:49:05Northern Germany is being incessantly attacked by English and American bombers.
00:49:10The people are desperate for revenge.
00:49:13When is it going to happen?
00:49:14Everyone hopes for a massive reprisal.
00:49:17Spirits are low.
00:49:18We are making every effort to strengthen the weak-minded.
00:49:22We are certain that something great is on the way.
00:49:25We know that the German arms industry is working at full steam.
00:49:29But no one knows when the weapons will be deployed.
00:49:33The Führer will know when to strike back.
00:49:35Only he possesses the farsightedness necessary.
00:49:38Gerhard M. Diary Entry of July 27th, 1943.
00:49:47I have experienced Germany's ruin.
00:49:50I will die a happy man.
00:49:53With the ardent wish that this war may last for many, many years
00:49:57and the bombs will continue to fall like hailstones on the damned cities.
00:50:03God in his all-bountiful providence has sent the Germans this Führer Rogue.
00:50:08so that this mangy nation may at last disappear from the face of the earth.
00:50:14Georg Kaiser, Expressionist playwright.
00:50:17February 27th, 1944.
00:50:21We promise you in this hour, our Führer,
00:50:24that now more than ever we will stand by you and your cause
00:50:28with our most sincere solidarity and unshakable loyalty.
00:50:32More than ever, we must endeavor to instill your highly idealistic ideas into the army
00:50:38so that every soldier is inspired to fight even more fanatically
00:50:42for the National Socialist future of our nation.
00:50:46We know that only an army trained according to National Socialist principles
00:50:51can overcome the ordeals that today prevent us from winning the war.
00:50:55Please accept this profession by your army general field marshals
00:51:00as a testimony of our unwavering loyalty to you, our Führer.
00:51:04Von Rundstedt, Rommel, von Kleist, Busch, von Kluge, von Mannstein,
00:51:10Freiherr von Weix, Modell.
00:51:13March the 19th, 1944.
00:51:15March the 19th, 1944.
00:51:45Yesterday there was a bomb attack on Hitler in his office.
00:51:58Unfortunately, as if by a miracle, the bastard was not injured.
00:52:03Tonight at one o'clock Hitler gave his speech on the radio.
00:52:06When I speak to you today, it happened in two reasons.
00:52:12Firstly, let me hear my voice.
00:52:15Secondly, let me know about a crime that is in the German history of his life.
00:52:22I myself am completely unprotected.
00:52:25I'm going to make this a confirmation of my life to continue to follow,
00:52:30as I have said.
00:52:32It is conspicuous that Hitler repeated the phrase,
00:52:43it was a very small gang, six times in his speech.
00:52:47His large scale measures, however, belie these assertions.
00:52:51It is not necessary to deploy an entire army to exterminate a very small gang.
00:52:57This time Hitler may have managed to evade the punishment he deserves,
00:53:01but in the not too distant future, this mass murderer will receive his just reward.
00:53:08Uliess, 16 years old, Hamburg.
00:53:12Our Führer is alive. Sieg Heil.
00:53:16This is the greatest blessing for the German people.
00:53:19Divine providence has sent us Adolf Hitler.
00:53:22The Führer is us. The Führer orders, we follow.
00:53:29Our Führer. Now more than ever, send the V1s, 2s and 3s to eradicate this Jewish hornet's nest first.
00:53:37This murderer's complot.
00:53:39May the Lord bless and protect our dear Führer Adolf Hitler and the Wehrmacht,
00:53:45and bring him back home victorious and with peace.
00:53:48Long live our Führer.
00:53:50Walpoga Kurz, Innsbruck.
00:53:53Retirement home.
00:53:54July the 22nd, 1944.
00:53:57Dear Adolf, let us pray to God that he may complete his masterpiece in the new year
00:54:08by giving you and your soldiers the most glorious of victories and peace.
00:54:12From the bottom of my heart I wish you the best of health for the new year
00:54:16and hope to be able to call you my own soon as a doubly happy father.
00:54:20As the woman who may be closest to you,
00:54:23I take the liberty of wishing all the best for the new year
00:54:26to all of your comrades and trusty followers,
00:54:29all your loyal assistants,
00:54:31and all unknown people who are well disposed towards you.
00:54:34I affectionately squeeze your hand in spirit, my dearest,
00:54:38and remain with heartfelt kisses,
00:54:40your ever loyal and undaunted Maria.
00:54:43December the 31st, 1944.
00:54:46We are in the midst of a faithful battle which has intensified lately,
00:55:06but I am sure that the outcome will be in favor of Germany.
00:55:10I have one small question.
00:55:12Why are the 17-year-old boys who defend the fatherland at the front not shown in the news?
00:55:18Many greetings from your German youth boy.
00:55:21Fritz Spangenberg, Herringen.
00:55:23January the 19th, 1945.
00:55:27As we cannot reach our Führer in any other way,
00:55:40we humbly ask that this letter be forwarded to him as quickly as possible.
00:55:44It contains plans which will ensure a speedy victory for Germany and Japan.
00:55:49I repeat my request to forward this letter to the Führer as quickly as possible,
00:55:54as it will have a significant impact on the outcome of the war.
00:55:57Heil Hitler, Joachim Schwenn and Wilhelm Zimmer.
00:56:01February the 12th, 1945.
00:56:03To the Führers headquarters.
00:56:09Subject.
00:56:10Airborne sand method to ruin combustion engines of all types,
00:56:15especially useful in air defense.
00:56:17Fact.
00:56:18It is known that a sandstorm in the desert will without fail render a combustion engine of any type unusable.
00:56:26When subjected to the fine airborne sand, the carburetors are blocked and eventually the pistons are ruined.
00:56:32Proposition.
00:56:34The idea of producing an artificial sandstorm using curtains of airborne sand as a method of air defense suggests itself,
00:56:43and in principle this is technically feasible.
00:56:46You may rest assured that I will raise no claims for any personal profit.
00:56:50My only intentions are retaliation and victory for the future of Greater Germany.
00:56:55With a Hitler salute.
00:56:57Willi Emmerich.
00:56:58Lance Corporal.
00:56:59February the 11th, 1945.
00:57:02Citizens and leadership.
00:57:25The developments in the military struggle after the Soviet breakthrough from the bridgehead of Baranov to the Bank of the Order
00:57:31weighs more and more heavily on the people with every passing day.
00:57:36Everyone is faced with problems of survival.
00:57:39The situation gives rise to a series of questions, phenomena and actions,
00:57:44in which relations between citizens and leadership, as well as the population as a whole, are put to a real test.
00:57:51No one believes in victory any longer.
00:57:54The last glimmers of hope are extinguished.
00:57:57There is consensus that defeat in the war would be our own fault, namely that of the leadership and not of the common man.
00:58:06The Führer is the last support and the last hope for millions,
00:58:10yet he too is increasingly becoming the subject of criticism,
00:58:14and confidence in his person is diminishing daily.
00:58:17Report from the files of the acting government under Admiral Dönitz, late March 1945.
00:58:30Our Führer, Adolf Hitler, is no longer with us.
00:58:35The news did not devastate us as much as one would have assumed.
00:58:39We spent long hours in contemplation, musing over the events of the past twenty years.
00:58:45But then, our day-to-day life took over, and we came to terms with it.
00:58:50Life goes on, even without the last Führer of the Greater German Reich.
00:58:55It has been a few days since it all came to an end.
00:58:59Today is May the 5th.
00:59:02We are still waiting for the Americans.
00:59:05Gerhard M. The diary entry of May the 5th, 1945.
00:59:11The full day of May the 5th is a living in the last city.
00:59:16The Rings of May the 5th is a living in a country where the young men were.
00:59:19It was a living in the last city of May the 5th and a living in the past.
00:59:24After they arrived, we opened the last city of May the 6th and 2000.
00:59:37Transcription by CastingWords