Note 040
by Joachim C. Fest

Report by Hermann Karnau, quoted from a sound radio recording of the NWDR. In the given context the report says:

'I was commanded by an SS officer to leave my station . .. I did so and went into the officers' club. After half an hour I returned. The entrance to the Fuhrer's bunker was locked. I went back and tried to get in through the emergency exit, the one which led to the garden of the Reich Chancellery. As I reached the corner between the tall sentry-post bunker and the Fuhrer bunker proper, when I was up there, I suddenly saw what looked like a petrol rag being thrown. In front of me lay Adolf Hitler on his back and Eva Braun on her belly. I definitely established that it was he. I went back and informed my comrade Hilger Poppen, who however didn't believe me. Half an hour later I returned to the spot. I could no longer recognize him because he was pretty charred. I spoke to Erich Mansfeld, who was at this time on sentry duty in the tower, who also confirmed: There lies Adolf Hitler. He is burning. I left this place ... and by the staircase met Sturmbannfuhrer Schedle, who confirmed that the Chief was burning behind the house in the garden of the Reich Chancellery. At about 13.00 I was at this spot again . .. I saw that Hitler and Eva Braun by now had burnt to the point that the skeletal structure could clearly be seen. Whether during the period from 18.00 to 20.00 petrol was poured over the remains once more, I don't know, but when I was there again at 20.00 cinders were already flying in the wind .. .'

on the last phase of the Third Reich, see further H. R. Trevor-Roper, 'The Last Days of Hitler'.

From Chapter 5 ,Victor and Vanquished , Part 1 of The Face Of The Third Reich by J.C. Fest -- See further Notes

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