This is making the rounds in /r/pics, a bunch of historical photos. One of them is supposedly Hitler in Berlin at a rally during the beginning of WWI.
Is this picture even real? In the photos I've seen of Hitler in WWI he always has a more traditional handlebar moustache. I'd heard he only adopted the toothbrush moustache because his longer whiskers interfered with the seal of his gas mask. Is that true at all? Is the picture real, or doctored?
I can't tell you anything about the history of his moustache but I've seen the same picture in different publications including my history school book.
Now, first things first: This photo was definitely taken in Munich (Odeonsplatz, to be precise). As Hitler was in Munich, not Berlin, at that time this, at least, is consistent.
This and this German newspaper article deals with the question whether it really shows Hitler. To summarize:
1.) The photo was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann, who coincidentally became Hitler's personal photographer later on. Hoffmann became a member of the NSDAP in 1920 and took propaganda and private pictures for the Nazi leadership. After 1933 he became quite rich issuing photo albums of Hitler and other people.
2.) There is no negative known to exist. The only thing there is, is the edited picture with the magnified circle allegedly showing Hitler.
3.) The story rests entirely on a statement made by Hoffmann that Hitler came to his office one day in 1929 saw the picture and identified himself.
4.) The first use of the picture was for propaganda purposes around the time of the presidential elections in 1932.
5.) Other pictures plus film material from that day (August 2nd 1914) show a less crowded place and no Hitler.
6.) Hitler doesn't mention this rally in "Mein Kampf" although he describes his feelings about these days quite lividly.
So, there is considerable doubt among historians who looked into the matter.
The significance of the picture for Nazi propaganda and for the personal cult around Hitler is easily explained:
It shows Hitler as a man among equals sharing the patriotic fervor of the day. Hitler very often emphasized how WWI made him the man he was later on and how he rose out of nowhere to become the "Führer". Secondly, this photo was taken in front of the "Feldherrenhalle" where Hitler's coup of 1923 failed miserably. Nazis that were shot there were later celebrated as martyrs of the movement and became an integral part of Nazi propaganda. This photo connects all these elements.
(Sorry dude, but your link is broken.)
I remember William Craig mentions in Enemy at the Gates that WW2 German soldiers were supposed to be cleanly shaven with allowable neatly trimmed moustaches. And that these regs were relaxed in the field. But on WW1 German facial hair...
I think you're referring to this photo from the pre war Munich rally in August, 1914.
Here's a photo of enlisted Hitler during the war with his handlebar moustache.
Note that he had his characteristic moustache before the war and the handlebar when in service.
