I've recently stumbled across the show Hunting Hitler on the History Channel. I'm fully aware that a lot of what is shown on the history channel (Ancient Aliens etc) is dubious and quite comical. But the idea that Hitler escaped Berlin is intriguing and, whilst the evidence presented on the show is in no way concrete, it does pose certain questions.
I was wondering if anyone on here could tell me more information surrounding the theory, and if there is any credibility to it?
I'm currently doing an MA in Modern History, however, my specialty is in the Soviet Union. I have knowledge of the Nazi's but not enough to judge whether or not the ideas presented on the show are worth giving a second thought.
Thanks.
He died in the Bunker. This is an interesting theory, and I've heard it many times, but I've done some pretty extensive research on the Battle of Berlin, and in doing so have heard a lot about Hitlers last days. There are several witnesses that can testify to seeing Hitler and Eva's bodies. Even exact or near exact conversations from the men who carried their bodies up the stairs, and burned them. The bodies were well burned, and unrecognizable. However, the Russians have a portion of Hitlers Skull and Jaw bone. (I know the Russians credibility is weak) but Hitlers personal dentist and his assistant were tracked down, and the dentist sketched a copy of Hitlers teeth, and it was a near exact match to the Jaw bone that was discovered.
Also it's very important to recognize that Hitler would not leave the capital. He was approached by everyone and anyone around him, urging him to leave, but he wouldn't. This was especially true after he found out Himmler and Goring betrayed him. And even more so true when he found out Gen. Felix Steiner could not mobilize enough men to come and break the Soviet encirclement around Berlin. He lost all hope and at one point openly declared to his immediate staff that the war was lost, and that if his orders were not being obeyed, or even relayed out of the Fuhrerbunker, there was no point in continuing to lead. Many people came to see Hitler after he had broken down. One of the more known ones (attributed to many conspiracy theory's) was Robert Ritter von Greim & Hanna Reitsch. Both where dedicated Hitler supporters and the latter was ordered to fly into Berlin to be promoted - and take over from Goring. They flew in once...and flew out once in a Arado Ar 96 training plane with 2 seats. They also begged Hitler to come, but he would not. Then they volunteered to stay and die with him - Hitler wouldn't allow it, Greim was needed alive to issue orders to the Luftwaffe.
Last but not least, several witnesses including Hitlers secretary Traudl Junge, saw Hitler and Eva discussing with his personal Doctor ( Dr. Werner Haase) in the bunker the best way to commit suicide. Junge saw the bodies being carried out after Otto Günsche opened the door to discover them dead. Otto was in charge of disposing of the bodies and did so accordingly. Otto Günsche was captured and held in Moscow after the war. Because Stalin was absolutely obsessed with Hitler, he kept Günsche & Heinz Linge (Hitlers personal driver, and the second man tasked personally by Hitler himself, in disposing of his body) imprisoned to be the primary sources for "Operation Myth" the biography of Hitler which was prepared for Joseph Stalin. So you see...there are many many many reputable sources that declare that Hitler died in the Bunker. After sifting through the facts myself many many times, plus trying to comprehend the situation he was in, and the emotional detachment, and mental illness that griped him plus ANY alternative methods of escape at the time (which there were none) it is my conclusion that Hitler died in that bunker. Take a look at the names I put in this comment and take a look your' self at their testimonies, its all very interesting and very convincing considering the desperate times they were all in.
EDIT: Just so there is no confusion about this comment... This was an answer I gave in another thread awhile back. However, my stance on the question remains the same. Link here...