Charming, affable, a leader, a visionary, personable. Not the words that come to mind for most of us when we think of Adolf Hitler. The people closest to him though, could not describe him otherwise. They were blind to any other qualities Hitler may have possessed. Reading only the accounts of those who were “on his team” so to speak, temporarily gave me a sympathetic view of Hitler. I read a portion of his story and ignored the rest and felt entirely different about the person he was in private.

Arthur Axmann, a leader of Hitler Youth who often came in contact with Hitler to discuss situations and plans was someone who respected Hitler at the least. He visited the Fuehrer’s Bunker on Hitler’s birthday (April 20, 1945) to bring him the wishes of the Hitler Youth. Axmann considered Hitler to be affable and shared conversations with him about personal interests such as: where Arthur was born and what his family and upbringing were like.

Tradul Junge, one of Hitler’s secretaries starting in 1942, was in close quarters with Hitler most of the time. Especially so in his final days in the bunker. Junge ate lunch and had tea with Hitler almost daily from the span of April 21st-April 29th (OR 30th????!!). During lunch, amongst his secretaries they would discuss their personal lives, their dogs and Hitler often spoke of his childhood and the past. Junge mentions that Hitler was extremely proud of his rise to power and of his success to win over people. He often sought relaxation and confirmation of his making the right decisions; he found this in his memories of the past and his then feeling of necessity for war. Junge portrayed Hitler as an average man, who was gracious to a certain extent. He had emotions about death and dying and was effected by the decisions he would soon have to make, as would any human being.

Franziska even though opposed, still saw something appealing about Hitler. Hitler treated her daughter with respect in her eyes. Although he often seemed to be embarrassed when in Franziska’s presence and ashamed to look her in the eyes, she saw how much Eva was in love with him. Eva was infatuated with Hitler, head over heels for him. When he asked her and the other women (secretaries and assistants) still in the bunker on April 23 to leave and seek refuge, Eva requited “Du (thou) know that I shall stay with you (Junge).” Eva loved Hitler less for his national socialistic ideas, but much more for his personality and him as a man.

Paul Goebbels, the Chief of Nazi propaganda, was in close relation to Hitler. So much so that his wife and himself, decided to commit suicide the day following Hitler and Eva’s suicide. He felt that it was only right to follow the actions of their leader and that this would allow them to die in dignity and not in humiliation. The 6 Goebbels children were also given cyanide by their parents to have the entire family that was so invested in the Nazi regime, die without embarrassment or by being seized by the enemy. They felt like they owed this to themselves but most importantly, did it largely out of loyalty to Hitler.

Junge describes that many letters that were received on behalf of Hitler through her work as a secretary were letters from women, inciting their enthusiasm. Many women wrote in a fond, loving manner. Oddly enough, none of the letters were ever seen by Hitler and none were ever responded to.

Hitler’s popularity went beyond the lines of the people closest to him and on the inside of his bunker. The people of Germany and women particularly, were infatuated and enthralled by their new leader. So much so that they saw past his most major offenses and flaws. Of course there is more to the story of how so many people accepted and supported the Holocaust, but a large factor in its success was the love and admiration people had for its leader.

Works Cited

Junge, Gertraud (Traudl). Interrogation by Judge Michael Musmanno. 7 February 1943. Interrogation of Hitler Associates, 1948. The Duquesne University Archives and Special Collections.

Varman, Vijay. “Devil’s advocate: Can you paint a historical picture showing Hitler as a ‘good’ guy.” Quora, 21 March 2015, quora.com/. (Photo)