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In the Bunker with Hitler: The Last Witness Speaks
Published in France in March as "Dans Le Bunker De Hitler", this is the story of a young German officer who not only survived Stalingrad and another year on the Russian Front, but also made it out of Hitler's bunker to surrender to the British. He was ADC to the Hitler's last two commanders-in-chief, and the link between Hitler's Berlin bunker and the army's headquarters. He briefed Hitler on the deteriorating military situation, and the same time trying to help his friends arrested in the wake of the assassination attempt on Hitler in July 1944. He spent the last weeks of the war underground with Hitler after Berlin was surrounded, but escaped with two other officers to avoid falling into Russian hands.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven
1 book2 followersAlexander Otto Hermann Wolfgang Bernd(t) Freiherr Freytag von Loringhoven (6 February 1914 – 27 February 2007), was a Baltic German officer in the German Army during World War II. In 1956, he joined the German Federal Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, and rose to the rank of Generalleutnant.
Loringhoven's last assignment was as a staff officer responsible for the preparation of reports for Adolf Hitler. This work required a constant presence in Hitler's entourage; he wrote about this experience in his memoir published in 2006.
Loringhoven's last assignment was as a staff officer responsible for the preparation of reports for Adolf Hitler. This work required a constant presence in Hitler's entourage; he wrote about this experience in his memoir published in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 16, 2019
Hier der tapfere, arglose, untadelige deutsche Soldat, dort die feigen, verschlagenen, ruchlosen Nazis.
Das hatten Erstere bei Letzteren angeblich übersehen.
"Soldaten sind Mörder.", sagt Ignaz Wrobel alias Kurt Tucholsky.
Das ist so.
Das hatten Erstere bei Letzteren angeblich übersehen.
"Soldaten sind Mörder.", sagt Ignaz Wrobel alias Kurt Tucholsky.
Das ist so.
April 15, 2025
An almost unbelievable firsthand account of life inside Hitler’s bunker towards the end of the war, capturing the snowballing chaos, desperate delusion and rapid collapse of the Third Reich.
Very interesting insights into major figures like Stauffenberg, Himmler, Göring, Fegelein, Goebbels, Bormann and others. The increasingly tense relationship between Hitler and Guderian was especially fascinating to follow.
Very interesting insights into major figures like Stauffenberg, Himmler, Göring, Fegelein, Goebbels, Bormann and others. The increasingly tense relationship between Hitler and Guderian was especially fascinating to follow.
November 27, 2017
A personal account of the last days in the Hitler bunker that differs from Junge, Misch, Linge and Kempka, who are more or less in agreement in their biography's. von Loringhovens story seems to be what the movie ”Der Untergang” is based on.
But this is not a biographical account for the most part, as much of the book is not about what von Loringhoven experienced himself, but rater, the thoughts and motivations of other individuals, third hand information he supposedly was told and events in Germany, and of the war from von Loringhovens perspective and his and other peoples opinions on these.
He also gives a very different picture of Hitler as a man, and his interactions with people, that differs profoundly from Junge, Misch, Kempka and Hoffmann, but is somewhat closer to Linges account. In essence von Loringhoven is of the opinion that Hitler was always wrong in his military decisions and that it was lethally dangerous for anyone present to propose an alternative to the Fuhrers. Somehow the correct course of action always got presented by someone anyway and was shouted down by Hitler in a fit of rage.
He also thinks Hitler where paranoid because he was concerned that people where plotting to kill him and implemented increasingly strict security measures. Personally, I'm not sure someone who has been targeted by numerous assassination attempts could be classified as “paranoid” just because he is trying to stay alive...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Bernd was also the cousin of Wessel Freytag von Loringhoven who provided the detonator and explosives for the assassination attempt. When he was wanted in connection to the murder plot, Bernd was the one who found the body of his cousin along a trail in the woods where the two "used to meet and have talks", yet Bernd was later placed in the Führerbunker as a staff officer with access to Hitler around the clock. That does not seem consistent with paranoia to me.
Furthermore von Loringhoven is of the opinion that the investigation and execution of the people involved in The July 20 plot was a perverse act of revenge. And that this took time and effort away from the war effort. I wonder how such a view would be looked at had a bomb been placed in the vicinity of, say Churchill?
I would strongly recommend people read Hitler Was My Friend: The Memoirs of Hitler's Photographer by Hoffmann or Until the Final Hour: Hitler's Last Secretary by Junge in conjunction with this book.
But this is not a biographical account for the most part, as much of the book is not about what von Loringhoven experienced himself, but rater, the thoughts and motivations of other individuals, third hand information he supposedly was told and events in Germany, and of the war from von Loringhovens perspective and his and other peoples opinions on these.
He also gives a very different picture of Hitler as a man, and his interactions with people, that differs profoundly from Junge, Misch, Kempka and Hoffmann, but is somewhat closer to Linges account. In essence von Loringhoven is of the opinion that Hitler was always wrong in his military decisions and that it was lethally dangerous for anyone present to propose an alternative to the Fuhrers. Somehow the correct course of action always got presented by someone anyway and was shouted down by Hitler in a fit of rage.
He also thinks Hitler where paranoid because he was concerned that people where plotting to kill him and implemented increasingly strict security measures. Personally, I'm not sure someone who has been targeted by numerous assassination attempts could be classified as “paranoid” just because he is trying to stay alive...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Bernd was also the cousin of Wessel Freytag von Loringhoven who provided the detonator and explosives for the assassination attempt. When he was wanted in connection to the murder plot, Bernd was the one who found the body of his cousin along a trail in the woods where the two "used to meet and have talks", yet Bernd was later placed in the Führerbunker as a staff officer with access to Hitler around the clock. That does not seem consistent with paranoia to me.
Furthermore von Loringhoven is of the opinion that the investigation and execution of the people involved in The July 20 plot was a perverse act of revenge. And that this took time and effort away from the war effort. I wonder how such a view would be looked at had a bomb been placed in the vicinity of, say Churchill?
I would strongly recommend people read Hitler Was My Friend: The Memoirs of Hitler's Photographer by Hoffmann or Until the Final Hour: Hitler's Last Secretary by Junge in conjunction with this book.
March 19, 2022
Poorly written book by an author who tries to deny his support for an evil system that drove the Holocaust and started WWII. The author explains how he had a Jewish friend, as if that later permitted him to prop up a regime that unmercifully murdered so many Jews while also explaining how he was on the inside – in the bunker. It was almost too much to read von Loringhoven’s last chapters, outlining his escape and how hard it was to be separated with his family and how he was treated. Remember, he was part of the system that cruelly slaughtered so many.
The authored shared many details other Nazis, people I just didn’t care about – at all. He shared details of battles that were nearly meaningless minutiae, even for one who reads a decent amount about WWII. The details of those battles filled pages in a book that was supposed to be about the happenings of the inside of the Bunker – with Hitler. The story about the German executed by the Nazis due to a summary execution by Hitler who had hard time finding a minister willing to say some prayers was interesting; according to the author’s accounting, a young minister finally agreed and gave the shortest service ever.
Most of the portion of the book on the inside of the Bunker were secondhand accounts by the author. He rarely interacted with Hitler and the people inside the Bunker were not willing to share much with others due to the climate of fear and intimidation.
It was interesting to hear why he and his parents joined the party, but his story rang disingenuous in that he also spoke about his distrust of Hitler in 1934 when Hitler assassinated two generals. It was interesting, though, to read how Hitler only spoke of peace while preparing for war prior to his march from independent country to yet another one.
Reading this book at a time another dictator is causing an unjust war, one cannot miss the discussion of how the dictator isolated himself as the war carried forward. The author presented few details that were not widely reported about Hitler in these final days – how Hitler underestimated his enemy and overestimated his own troops, the use of drugs, how Hitler didn’t like meetings, and the increasing feeling of desperation in the bunker. Yet, he did share how the living conditions continued to deteriorate, how Hitler never admitted his own responsibility, and they gave reports to Hitler at the end from what they heard from enemy radio. He also reported that Hitler’s girlfriend took a train from Bavaria to Berlin to be with and then marry Hitler before the two married.
Glad I bought this book second hand at a library sale so the author or his family didn’t profit further from his disgraceful service and poorly written book.
The authored shared many details other Nazis, people I just didn’t care about – at all. He shared details of battles that were nearly meaningless minutiae, even for one who reads a decent amount about WWII. The details of those battles filled pages in a book that was supposed to be about the happenings of the inside of the Bunker – with Hitler. The story about the German executed by the Nazis due to a summary execution by Hitler who had hard time finding a minister willing to say some prayers was interesting; according to the author’s accounting, a young minister finally agreed and gave the shortest service ever.
Most of the portion of the book on the inside of the Bunker were secondhand accounts by the author. He rarely interacted with Hitler and the people inside the Bunker were not willing to share much with others due to the climate of fear and intimidation.
It was interesting to hear why he and his parents joined the party, but his story rang disingenuous in that he also spoke about his distrust of Hitler in 1934 when Hitler assassinated two generals. It was interesting, though, to read how Hitler only spoke of peace while preparing for war prior to his march from independent country to yet another one.
Reading this book at a time another dictator is causing an unjust war, one cannot miss the discussion of how the dictator isolated himself as the war carried forward. The author presented few details that were not widely reported about Hitler in these final days – how Hitler underestimated his enemy and overestimated his own troops, the use of drugs, how Hitler didn’t like meetings, and the increasing feeling of desperation in the bunker. Yet, he did share how the living conditions continued to deteriorate, how Hitler never admitted his own responsibility, and they gave reports to Hitler at the end from what they heard from enemy radio. He also reported that Hitler’s girlfriend took a train from Bavaria to Berlin to be with and then marry Hitler before the two married.
Glad I bought this book second hand at a library sale so the author or his family didn’t profit further from his disgraceful service and poorly written book.
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February 25, 2023It's amazing to think that there is anyone left alive can not only remember the Third Reich (with the eyes of a discerning adult...I realize there are plenty of children from the '30s and '40s still around) but also to have been in such close contact with the leadership of the Third Reich that he could offer insight into its behaviors and actions at the close of the war. It's also amazing to think that if such an individual were still alive, they would commit those memories to paper, exposing it to the world. Yet this is what we get from 'In the Bunker with Hitler.' Written by the aide-de-campe of one of Hitler's generals, we get a first hand account of the collapse of the Reich both militarily and socially. While the promise of the book is to expose the last days of Hitler, in many ways it is more of a war journal of a specific soldier. While he did have many encounters with Hitler, he wasn't a close confidant. In fact, most of the encounters described are in passing or in meetings. And anyone hoping for the sundry details of Hitler's death will be disappointed, the author leaves the bunker compound before Hitler commits suicide.
But, in many ways, if this were merely a 'tell-all' of the last days of Hitler, the work would loose its primary appeal. In my opinion, what this provides, more than other accounts of Nazi Germany, is the internal struggle some felt in the desire to be loyal servants of their country...but realizing that can only come through serving an immoral regime. The author, in an effort to outline this struggle, and his eventual realization of the horror he served, is quick to point out that he had no knowledge of the death camps and the true atrocities committed. Nevertheless, the frequent mentions of this reveal his obvious continued ambivalence about his role in the Reich. In the end, this is a good, solid memior for those hoping to get a more personal perspective on a topic that is desperately lacking in primary sources.
But, in many ways, if this were merely a 'tell-all' of the last days of Hitler, the work would loose its primary appeal. In my opinion, what this provides, more than other accounts of Nazi Germany, is the internal struggle some felt in the desire to be loyal servants of their country...but realizing that can only come through serving an immoral regime. The author, in an effort to outline this struggle, and his eventual realization of the horror he served, is quick to point out that he had no knowledge of the death camps and the true atrocities committed. Nevertheless, the frequent mentions of this reveal his obvious continued ambivalence about his role in the Reich. In the end, this is a good, solid memior for those hoping to get a more personal perspective on a topic that is desperately lacking in primary sources.
November 6, 2019
Could be 4 stars but has a few shortcomings as an overall book. The first section offers random anecdotes from Loringhoven's early career in the army and the war; they read like they may be the result of conversations tape recorded by co-author François d'Alançon when Loringhoven was about 90. A longer second section largely repeats in highly condensed form stories published much earlier in the memoirs of Heinz Guderian, whom Loringhoven served as aide de camp. The final section on his time in the bunker is short but astounding. Loringhoven's brief portraits of key personalities and his description of the sights, sounds and smells of the Berlin bunker in April 1945 convey a vivid sense of moral and military collapse. This episode has been the subject of numerous books but a well written first-hand account from a direct witness gives a sense of what it was like to be right there.
He also briefly discusses the inevitable dilemma faced by him and many other German officers — caught in the trap of wanting to serve their country while not wanting to serve Hitler and his Nazi adherents. In the end, maybe all you can say is that it happened. The standard claim that the author did not know about what really happened in the death camps sounds believable although it still leaves the question of whether there were really no rumours circulating about anything associated with the camps.
He also briefly discusses the inevitable dilemma faced by him and many other German officers — caught in the trap of wanting to serve their country while not wanting to serve Hitler and his Nazi adherents. In the end, maybe all you can say is that it happened. The standard claim that the author did not know about what really happened in the death camps sounds believable although it still leaves the question of whether there were really no rumours circulating about anything associated with the camps.
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May 13, 2008Poorly written, presumes a fairly high familiarity with events of the end of the war (I'm a history teacher and it had me lost) -- yet still fascinating. This man was IN THE ROOM with Hitler, witness to the last months of the war. His description of Hitler's increasing madness and of the intricate interpersonal dynamics of the hierarchy are really revealing. I couldn't put it down, despite it's weaknesses.
September 2, 2012
An astounding confession, full of details and impressive remarks. I thought I knew a lot about Germany in the Second World War, but it turned out I was immensely mistaken.
All that aside from the fact this is a story of survival, a struggle for rational behavior and an ethical approach that contradicts the general perspective most of us have of the germans in the 1940s.
All that aside from the fact this is a story of survival, a struggle for rational behavior and an ethical approach that contradicts the general perspective most of us have of the germans in the 1940s.
August 2, 2017
I initially thought this was a memoir of a Nazi who bunkered with Hitler as the Third Reich broke in 1945. It's that. And much more. von Loringhoven's narrative's filled to the Germanic gills with place names (especially Pomerania) and proper names. But the book also replete with stunning detail and nuance. The author's observations on people, events and even Nazism itself are striking. An example: How the army's politicization weakened it and gravely affected the Wehrmacht's overall cohesion. Thus, one can conclude Hitler ran the regime very poorly. From this, one can surmise that politics, lack of unity AND Hitler's wager of a two-front war doomed his Deutsches Reich. van Loringhoven's astute chronicle's grounded in the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt on the Fuhrer and in van Loringhoven's service as Heinz Guderian's aide-de-camp (Guderian led Nazi Panzer units in various European theaters). The attempt on his life drove Hitler and the reich into uncontrollable paranoia. This delusion badly infected its final ten months. Yet when he chose to be, according to van Loringhoven, Hitler "could be very agreeable," even kind. This naturally contrasts with his depraved indifference and cruelty. van Loringhoven strives to establish that even a monster like Hitler could be benevolent. The author also aims to clarify his role in World War II. He writes he fought for Germany. Not Hitler. Furthermore, he states he was unaware of the atrocities Germany committed, including the concentration camps. Evidently, so was the civilian population. Hitler and his minions maintained a facade of Teutonic triumph. Deep-seated turmoil, however, was largely papered over. van Lorginhoven strips away reams of the paper used to camouflage chaos to give a very convincing account of how Nazi Germany really worked. He also reaffirms the old adage to never judge a book by its cover -- or title.
April 20, 2024
Non male, molte cose che sono state dette credo fossero già abbastanza note, ma rimane comunque interessantissimo leggere la storia di un'ulteriore testimone diretto della storia, perlopiù in una situazione così delicata ed estrema). Molto più approfondito, preciso nelle descrizioni nonché coinvolgente nella lettura di un'altra autobiografia di un altro stretto collaboratore di Hitler all'interno del bunker, ovvero L'ultimo. Il memoriale inedito della guardia del corpo di Hitler (1940-1945) di Rochus Misch, guardia del corpo e centralinista di Hitler, nonché uno delle ultime persone a lasciare il bunker.
La cosa che colpisce di più forse è che, al contrario del memoir di Misch, von Loringhoven non cerca a tutti i costi di giustificarsi ai limiti dell'apologia e di porsi nei panni di chi "ha solo eseguito gli ordini", raccontando di come già in tempi non sospetti (prendendo ovviamente per vera la sua testimonianza) iniziò a perdere fiducia in Hitler e nell'operato di tutto il regime di cui lui stesso ne è stato parte.
La cosa che colpisce di più forse è che, al contrario del memoir di Misch, von Loringhoven non cerca a tutti i costi di giustificarsi ai limiti dell'apologia e di porsi nei panni di chi "ha solo eseguito gli ordini", raccontando di come già in tempi non sospetti (prendendo ovviamente per vera la sua testimonianza) iniziò a perdere fiducia in Hitler e nell'operato di tutto il regime di cui lui stesso ne è stato parte.
March 22, 2019
Oluline mõte raamatust, sobides ajatult poliitilise kontekstiga “Ajalugu aidaku mälu värskena hoida - see ongi parim vastumürk sallimatusele ja illusioonide taastekkele”.
Eesti keeles 2008 Varrakult ilmunud “Hitleri viimased päevad” on lühiülevaade Hitleri viimase aasta tegevusele oma punkris, kust ta praktiliselt ei väljunudki.
Raamatu autor sündis 1914 Kuressaares, elas üle sõja ning ime läbi pääses ka enne viimast päeva punkrist ja kirjutas oma 1948 üles tähendatud mälestuste põhjal käesoleva raamatu alles 2005 aastal. See annab selgelt aimu kui palju sõjakoledused inimesi mõjutasid ning kuidas asjadest lihtsalt ei julgeta rääkida.
Tänapäevani!
Eesti keeles 2008 Varrakult ilmunud “Hitleri viimased päevad” on lühiülevaade Hitleri viimase aasta tegevusele oma punkris, kust ta praktiliselt ei väljunudki.
Raamatu autor sündis 1914 Kuressaares, elas üle sõja ning ime läbi pääses ka enne viimast päeva punkrist ja kirjutas oma 1948 üles tähendatud mälestuste põhjal käesoleva raamatu alles 2005 aastal. See annab selgelt aimu kui palju sõjakoledused inimesi mõjutasid ning kuidas asjadest lihtsalt ei julgeta rääkida.
Tänapäevani!
July 26, 2018
This book was well written, and written by someone who was actually there. Instead of a book about Hitler in the bunker being written by someone who wasn't there and just relied on eye-witness accounts. I have read Inside Hitler's Bunker by Joachim Fest which was excellent, and I believe to be very accurate. Joachim Fest and Loringhoven's books seem to agree on the facts and events that took place in Hitler's Bunker. I would recommend both of these books to anyone interested in the European theater of World War Two.
February 26, 2019
Didn’t like this one. First part is a series of reasons to avoid him from being identified as part of the holocaust: how much as a child he like playing with Jewish children, how much his parents helped Jews.... very little and summarize chapters on the real action, mostly complains on the ineptitude of the Fuhrer and some of his officials. Some more expiation about holocaust; they didn’t know anything until after the war etc... all in all the book is not worth reading
January 2, 2025
Libro interesante especialmente porque aporta nombres de muchos oficiales del estado mayor del OKH y por el rol de ayudante que desempeño su protagonista de Guderian primero y de Krebs después habiendo tenido una anécdota muy interesante con Hitler 24 horas antes de su muerte.
May 16, 2025
Some very interesting insights into the final months of Hitler's reign and the tension between Nazi party leaders and the Army leaders. It's a bit difficult to know the veracity of the author's denials of having done anything wrong, but interesting nonetheless.
May 25, 2021
Libro entretenido sobre la caída del Tercer Reich y los últimos día de Hitler en el bunker contado por un estrecho colaborador de esos últimos días
May 7, 2024
I would have enjoyed knowing about his personal life....wives & children.
April 14, 2025
This book details with the final days of the Third Reich and the man who led Germany to its ruin.
September 2, 2021
Un pequeño libro que cualquier fanático de la 2GM va a disfrutar mucho, pues son las memorias de Bernard Freytag, un militar alemán que se unió a las filas del nazismo y escaló diversos puestos, hasta convertirse en ayudante de Hans Krebs, el jefe del Estado Mayor en 1945.
Bernard relata varios episodios durante la 2GM, como la batalla de Stalingrado de donde fue superviviente, el atentado contra Hitler (operación Valkiria), hasta sus últimos días en el bunker con el Führer, donde encontró a un Adolf bastante desgastado y debilitado vs lo que llegó a ser durante su campaña para llegar al poder de Alemania.
La vida durante los últimos días dentro del bunker fue, más allá de tensa; deprimente: Los inquilinos vivían rodeados de estruendosos bombardeos que cimbraban el lugar, muchos de ellos alcoholizados todo el tiempo.
Hitler cada vez más débil y paranoico, decide poner fin a su vida, pues no quería entregarse a las tropas soviéticas, temiendo que le pasara lo que a Benito Mussolini quien fue ejecutado y expuesto al pueblo con su esposa.
Un día antes del suicidio, se casa con Eva Braun en una breve ceremonia, y al día siguiente pone fin a su vida junto con sus más allegados: Su esposa, su perrita Blondi, la familia Goebbels, entre otros
Respecto a Freytag es el mismo Hitler quien le concede huir del bunker para apoyar a las tropas en Berlín, pero es en el camino cuando es detenido por los americanos y puesto en prisión.
Freytag fue liberado tres años después y murió recientemente a la edad de 93.
Bernard relata varios episodios durante la 2GM, como la batalla de Stalingrado de donde fue superviviente, el atentado contra Hitler (operación Valkiria), hasta sus últimos días en el bunker con el Führer, donde encontró a un Adolf bastante desgastado y debilitado vs lo que llegó a ser durante su campaña para llegar al poder de Alemania.
La vida durante los últimos días dentro del bunker fue, más allá de tensa; deprimente: Los inquilinos vivían rodeados de estruendosos bombardeos que cimbraban el lugar, muchos de ellos alcoholizados todo el tiempo.
Hitler cada vez más débil y paranoico, decide poner fin a su vida, pues no quería entregarse a las tropas soviéticas, temiendo que le pasara lo que a Benito Mussolini quien fue ejecutado y expuesto al pueblo con su esposa.
Un día antes del suicidio, se casa con Eva Braun en una breve ceremonia, y al día siguiente pone fin a su vida junto con sus más allegados: Su esposa, su perrita Blondi, la familia Goebbels, entre otros
Respecto a Freytag es el mismo Hitler quien le concede huir del bunker para apoyar a las tropas en Berlín, pero es en el camino cuando es detenido por los americanos y puesto en prisión.
Freytag fue liberado tres años después y murió recientemente a la edad de 93.
October 21, 2020
"Hitleri viimased päevad" oli teine Teist maailmasõda puudutav raamat, mida pärast "Elusädet" lugesin. Ootused puudusid, valmistusin igavaks tekstiks, aga raamat polnud väga paks ning olin selle oma raha eest soetanud, nii et mõtlesin, et kannatan ära.
Üllatuslikult osutus see aga äärmiselt põnevaks teoseks. Ikka väga huvitav oli! Tänu sellele raamatule tekkis palju selgem ja laiem ettekujutus Hitleri ja tema ohvitseride vahekorrast ning sõja ja selle juhtimise telgitagustest. Kahtlustan, et paljud inimesed panevad SS-i ja Wehrmachti ühte patta ning peavad kõiki Saksa sõdureid ja kindraleid elajateks. Nii see muidugi polnud- rahulolematus Hitleri juhtimisstiili ja otsustega oli suur ka süsteemi sees.
Väga huvitav oli lugeda inimese memuaare, kes oli seda kõike oma silmaga vahetult näinud, kõnealuste inimestega (nimesid oli palju ning mul muidugi polnud mingit lootust neid meelde jätta) kohtunud ja suhelnud, sealhulgas olnud üks viimaseid Hitleri punkrisse jäänud lähikondlasi enne päris lõppu.
Lisanüansina oli von Loringhoven vana Balti aadlisuguvõsa järeltulija, kes sündis Eestis, Kuressaares. Tema tõekspidamised ja suhtumised olid kantud vana kooli ohvitseri ja aadliku väärikast kasvatusest, aust ja moraalist ning paistis välja kõikidest tema seisukohavõttudest. Natuke hakkas silma ka teatavat siniverelise üleolekut ja põlgust matsliku rumala lihtrahva suhtes, aga teisalt olid kritiseeritavad ka kõik omakasupüüdlikud alamat päritolu tõusikud, keda partei esile tõstis ja võimule aitas just nende kasulike kaabaklike omaduste ja iseloomujoonte pärast. Hea lastetoaga haritud ohvitsere, enamik neist aadlikud, oli juba keerukam pikaajaliselt lollitada ning alatusi tegema sundida. Sestap ka atentaadikatsed, mis lähtusid siseringist ning Hitleri poolt läbi viidud puhastused ebasoovitavast ja -lojaalsest "elemendist" vabanemiseks.
Jäin raamatuga äärmiselt rahule, täiesti ootamatult väga hea lugemiselamus. Soovitada julgeks aga küll pigem ajaloosõbrale, kes tunneb huvi kitsamalt Hitleri, Saksa sõjaväe ja Teise maailmasõja vastu.
Üllatuslikult osutus see aga äärmiselt põnevaks teoseks. Ikka väga huvitav oli! Tänu sellele raamatule tekkis palju selgem ja laiem ettekujutus Hitleri ja tema ohvitseride vahekorrast ning sõja ja selle juhtimise telgitagustest. Kahtlustan, et paljud inimesed panevad SS-i ja Wehrmachti ühte patta ning peavad kõiki Saksa sõdureid ja kindraleid elajateks. Nii see muidugi polnud- rahulolematus Hitleri juhtimisstiili ja otsustega oli suur ka süsteemi sees.
Väga huvitav oli lugeda inimese memuaare, kes oli seda kõike oma silmaga vahetult näinud, kõnealuste inimestega (nimesid oli palju ning mul muidugi polnud mingit lootust neid meelde jätta) kohtunud ja suhelnud, sealhulgas olnud üks viimaseid Hitleri punkrisse jäänud lähikondlasi enne päris lõppu.
Lisanüansina oli von Loringhoven vana Balti aadlisuguvõsa järeltulija, kes sündis Eestis, Kuressaares. Tema tõekspidamised ja suhtumised olid kantud vana kooli ohvitseri ja aadliku väärikast kasvatusest, aust ja moraalist ning paistis välja kõikidest tema seisukohavõttudest. Natuke hakkas silma ka teatavat siniverelise üleolekut ja põlgust matsliku rumala lihtrahva suhtes, aga teisalt olid kritiseeritavad ka kõik omakasupüüdlikud alamat päritolu tõusikud, keda partei esile tõstis ja võimule aitas just nende kasulike kaabaklike omaduste ja iseloomujoonte pärast. Hea lastetoaga haritud ohvitsere, enamik neist aadlikud, oli juba keerukam pikaajaliselt lollitada ning alatusi tegema sundida. Sestap ka atentaadikatsed, mis lähtusid siseringist ning Hitleri poolt läbi viidud puhastused ebasoovitavast ja -lojaalsest "elemendist" vabanemiseks.
Jäin raamatuga äärmiselt rahule, täiesti ootamatult väga hea lugemiselamus. Soovitada julgeks aga küll pigem ajaloosõbrale, kes tunneb huvi kitsamalt Hitleri, Saksa sõjaväe ja Teise maailmasõja vastu.
January 13, 2009
This book really interested me. My favorite part was when the main character meets Hitler. He describes him as a powerful and evil man. But also a smart and misunderstood man. Hitler hated Jew because his father was one. He always hated him. His father didn't let him be the artist he knows he could have been. So now he took his rage out on the Jews of Europe. This book also shows and explains how evil really works. Hitler was one of the faces of evil. He did some many things to the poor Jews because he was mad at his father and that his father was a Jew. Basically Hitler took his rage out on the world because he couldn't face his father.
April 7, 2010
First hand account of a young German officer's experiences inside Hitler's bunker in the latter stages of the war.
A good portion of the book is taken up with his experiences earlier in the war. He also was acquainted with many of the players in the Stauffenberg plot.
Unfortunately, while the book offers glimpses into the mindset of the times (for example, the author had no idea who Eva Braun was when he first met her), it provides no real insight. As such, it probably falls more into the realm of an edited oral history, more useful for anecdotes than authority. In part, this is probably because the author wrote the book 50 years after the fact.
A good portion of the book is taken up with his experiences earlier in the war. He also was acquainted with many of the players in the Stauffenberg plot.
Unfortunately, while the book offers glimpses into the mindset of the times (for example, the author had no idea who Eva Braun was when he first met her), it provides no real insight. As such, it probably falls more into the realm of an edited oral history, more useful for anecdotes than authority. In part, this is probably because the author wrote the book 50 years after the fact.
December 13, 2016
This book wasn't exactly what I thoght it was gonna be. Alot more namedropping and history, war strategy and dates.
I don't know exactly what I was hoping for, but we didn't get into the bunker until the last 50 pages or so.
Don't get me wrong, alot of interesting stories. But I find it kind of hopeless to remember 10 different namnes and rankes on one page.
Stil a really interesting read. But a bit to heavy and namedropping for me.
Think I just wiched for more of a story...
I don't know exactly what I was hoping for, but we didn't get into the bunker until the last 50 pages or so.
Don't get me wrong, alot of interesting stories. But I find it kind of hopeless to remember 10 different namnes and rankes on one page.
Stil a really interesting read. But a bit to heavy and namedropping for me.
Think I just wiched for more of a story...
February 18, 2008
The translation was a little awkward, but the writing itself was above average. And the ability of the author to convey his ideas and feelings was excellent. Who even knew that someone from this historic period/event was even still alive to tell his story. It was interesting to hear first person how one could be a loyal german army officer and not be a Nazi.
February 7, 2015
It's between 3 & 4 stars 4 for historical insight and 3 for the way it's written but I think that's mainly due to the English being second language translation. Dispelled some previous thoughts about the people around Hitler as to who was strong and who was weak. Also the personal connection to attempted assassination was very interesting
February 8, 2014
A very good book, however I had issues with the writing style. There was so many people who were mentioned in such a short period of time, Im not 100% I could possibly retain all the information. Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven defiantly has a interesting story to tell.
June 7, 2018
Just another report of someone who wants to clear himself of any responsibility. Basically it boils down to "I didn't know anything about the really bad stuff, I was not responsible and only following orders". Didn't quite like the book.
August 9, 2011
Experiencias personales. No aporta novedades, pero no está exento de interés. Bien escrito, fácil de leer.
April 26, 2012
Great insight into the last days of the third reich. This was a good follow up after reading "Until the Final Hour" by Traudl Junge.
February 9, 2015
BOOK WAS INFORMATIVE AND GAVE INSIGHT INTO THE FINAL DAYS NOT JUST IN THE BUNKER BUT IN BERLIN FIGHTING AS WELL.
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