With Hitler to the End: The Memoirs of Adolf Hitler's Valet

Heinz Linge worked with Adolf Hitler for a ten year period from 1935 until the Fuhrer's death in the Berlin bunker in May 1945. He was one of the last to leave the bunker and was responsible for guarding the door while Hitler killed himself. During his years of service, Linge was responsible for all aspects of Hitler's household and was constantly by his side. He claims that only Eva Braun stood closer to Hitler over these years. Through a host of anecdotes and observations, Linge recounts the daily routine in Hitler's household; his eating habits, his foibles, his preferences, his sense of humour and his private life with Eva Braun. In fact, Linge believed Hitler's closest companion was his dog Blondi. After the war Linge said in an interview, 'it was easier for him to sign a death warrant for an officer on the front than to swallow bad news about the health of his dog'. Linge also charts the changes in Hitler's character during the period of his service, and the latter's fading health from around 1942. During his last days, Hitler's right eye began to hurt intensely and Linge was responsible for administering cocaine drops to kill the pain. In a number of instances – such as with the Stauffenberg bomb plot of July 1944 – Linge gives an excellent eyewitness account of events. He also gives thumbnail profiles of the prominent members of Hitler's 'court': Hess, Speer, Bormann and Ribbentrop amongst them. Though Linge held an SS rank, he claims not to have been a Nazi Party member. His profile of Hitler is not blindly uncritical, but it is nonetheless affectionate. The Hitler that emerges is a multifaceted individual: unpredictable and demanding, but not of an otherwise unpleasant nature. 8 pages of b/w plates

This book is worth reading from a historical standpoint and does show us bit more of the behind the scenes portrayal of the man who brought Europe to the brink of total annihilation through "the man closest to him" in his own words. Some of the reading can seem a bit "he said, she said" in respects to Linge explaining his experiences and the actions and remembrances of his comrades in arms. Taking his overwhelming devotion to his country and to his proprietor contextually make an attempt at explaining his thoughts and actions throughout this practically unexplainable time in history. Inscale This book is worth reading from a historical standpoint and does show us bit more of the behind the scenes portrayal of the man who brought Europe to the brink of total annihilation through "the man closest to him" in his own words. Some of the reading can seem a bit "he said, she said" in respects to Linge explaining his experiences and the actions and remembrances of his comrades in arms. Taking his overwhelming devotion to his country and to his proprietor contextually make an attempt at explaining his thoughts and actions throughout this practically unexplainable time in history. Inscale

HEINZ LINGE was born in Bremen, Germany, in March 1913. He worked as Hitler's valet until the Fuhrer shot himself in 1945. He was arrested by the Red Army, which interrogated him about the circumstances of Hitler's death. Linge was released from Soviet captivity in 1955. He died in Bremen in March 1980.

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