The historian Hugh Trevor-Roper was an intelligence officer in WW2. As Berlin fell and the Allies took possession of the city it was necessary to establish what exactly had happened in those last days and also what had happened to Hitler’s body – even today there are conspiracy theories based on the theory that Hitler lived and fled Germany. Trevor-Roper was tasked to write a report which he did. He visited the underground bunker, read all the paperwork and was able to interview people who had been there in the last days. The result of that research is one of the most acclaimed history books of the last century The Last Days of Hitler which has been updated a few times by the author since its first publication in 1947.
The power of this book is how close the author was to the subject matter and the time of the events he described whilst being able to have a reasonably objective view of what happened. He does have a few prejudices, especially about the German characters, and is subject to judgement about people and events but this doesn’t get in the way of the history which is mostly matter of fact and told chronologically.
As the war drew to a close Hitler and his closest colleagues had to decide what to do as it became obvious that Germany would not win the war. Their affiliation was for their ideology and not the German people. They decided on a policy of complete destruction of the Third Reich and their own deaths.
Yet, as these decisions were made, others tried to work out what to do and Hitler had to direct things and people. The remaining leaders also had to live day by day in a city which was being heavily bombed and where their capture looked likely. This book tells us about those last decisions and the personalities still in the vicinity of their leader. It shows us their total commitment to their ideals and their willingness to die (and kill their families). It also tells us about those who decided not to die and what became of them.
This is a fascinating book. This is what really happened told by someone who came close to viewing it and who talked to many who did. It’s a great read.
For those who may recognise the name of the historian I advise you also to read Selling Hitler by Robert Harris which is a factual account of the publication of fake diaries ascribed to Hitler and which were authenticated by Hugh Trevor-Roper – this happened many years later but it was not his finest hour.
Anne Is Reading 