Hitler

Dec

18

1942

Paulus refuses to make a breakout from Stalingrad

Attempting to warm up the engines of a Ju 52 transport plane at one of the airfield within Stalingrad.

While the army commander was probably a better-trained tactician and a clearer thinker, it looked as if his Chief-of-Staff was the stronger personality of the two! And so the upshot of the talks was that General Paulus himself ended by pronouncing the break-out a sheer impossibility and pointing out that the surrender of Stalingrad was forbidden ‘by order of the Fuhrer’!

Nov

7

1942

Hitler avoids facing his own troops

A large troop convoy on its way to North Africa.

The atmosphere was tense. We were already many hours late, for at every sizable station a prolonged stop was made in order to connect the telephone cable with the railroad telegraph system, so we could get the latest reports. From early moming on a mighty armada of transports, accompanied by large naval units, had been passing through the Strait of Gibralter into the Mediterranean.

Oct

18

1942

Hitler’s Order – Summary death for Commandos

Portrait of a soldier from No. 3 Commando armed with a 'Tommy gun' and wearing a balaclava, at Largs in Scotland, 2 May 1942.

I therefore order: From now on all enemies on so-called commando missions in Europe or Africa, challenged by German troops, even if they are to all appearances soldiers in uniform or demolition troops, whether armed or unarmed, in battle or in flight, are to be slaughtered to the last man.

Oct

1

1942

Hitler promotes Rommel to Field Marshal

Hitler with Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

Afterwards both went into the Chancellery gardens, where an impressive display of new weapons, including assault guns and a Tiger tank, was on show. Rommel requested them for the front as soon as possible, which Hitler promised to see to. I had the impression that he was beginning to deceive himself. He was underestimating the fighting strength of the Russians and also had the wrong idea about the British.

Sep

24

1942

Hitler sacks his Chief of Staff Franz Halder

As  Chief of the Army General Staff Franz Halder, far right, had been at the side of Hitler during the planning of all the Wehrmacht operations until 1942.

After situation conference, farewell by the Fuehrer: My nerves are worn out, also his nerves are no longer fresh. We must part. “Necessity for educating the General Staffs in fanatical faith in the Idea.” He is determined to enforce his will also in the Army.

Jul

16

1942

Hitler arrives at Werwolf – Eastern Front HQ

Adolf Hitler at the headquarters of Army Group South in Poltava. From left to right: Lieutenant General  Ernst, General of Infantry Sodenstern, Colonel Max von Weichs, Adolf Hitler, General of Panzer Troops Friedrich Paulus, General Eberhard von Mackensen and General Field Marshal Fedor von Bock. June 1942

Hitler gave an approving nod and asked, ‘Who built the camp?’ Thomas answered, ‘Mostly Russians prisoners from the camps.’ Hitler‘s face darkened. He told Thomas, ‘They must all be shot. There is not a moment to lose. They know too much about my HQ.’ Thomas clicked his heels and answered, ‘At your command, my Fuhrer’ He turned on his heels and went.

Apr

28

1942

Hitler seizes even greater powers

A  portrait of Adolf Hitler from 1942. He had already seized direct personal command of he armed forces, now he took unlimited personal  dictatorial power.

The concentration of hate has this time turned into utter madness. Not England or the USA or Russia – only in everything nothing but the Jew. Pay attention to the hide-and-seek and open threat. 11:59, but shall we live to see the end of the day?

Mar

15

1942

Hitler remembers German war dead

Hitler in relaxed mood with Spee, left and Field Marshal Keitel, right. February or March 1942.

It was becoming vitally important for him again to influence opinion with his speeches. in this discourse he described the fierceness of the Russian winter and the enormous difiiculties which our soldiers had had to overcome. But he praised the German fighting men, who, despite the violence of the enemy and the severe weather, had helped to keep the front solid.

Jan

30

1942

Hitler repeats his threat to kill the Jews

A portrait of Adolf Hitler taken in 1942

He repeated this announcement of his intentions on 30th January 1942, in a speech I also know of: The war would not end, as the Jews imagined, by the extinction of European-Aryan peoples, but it would result in the annihilation of the Jews. This repetition of his words of 30th January 1939 was not unique. He would often remind his entourage of the importance of this dictum.

Dec

11

1941

Hitler declares war on the USA

Adolf Hitler addresses the Reichstag on the 11th December 1941 after declaring war on the United States.

Today I am at the head of the strongest Army in the world, the most gigantic Air Force and of a proud Navy. Behind and around me stands the Party with which I became great and which has become great through me. The enemies I see before me are the same enemies as 20 years ago, but the path along which I look forward cannot be compared with that on which I look back.