Hitler's Alpine Headquarters

by James Wilson

Overview

“A photographic history of the Nazi party’s building works in Munich and in the Berchtesgaden and Obersalzberg . . . These postcards are fascinating” (HistoryOfWar.org).
 
Hitler’s Alpine Headquarters looks at the development of the Obersalzberg from a small, long established farming community into Hitler’s country residence and the Nazis’ southern headquarters. Introducing new images and additional text, this book is a much-expanded sequel to the author’s acclaimed Hitler’s Alpine Retreat. It explains how and why Hitler chose this area to build a home and his connection to this region.
 
New chapters focus on buildings and individuals of Hitler’s inner circle not covered in the earlier book. The development of the region is extensively covered by use of contemporary propaganda postcards and accompanying detailed text, allowing the reader to view the subject matter as it was presented to the masses at that time. With over 300 images and three maps, and the opportunity to compare a number of “then and now” images, the story of Hitler’s southern headquarters is brought to life through this extensive coverage.
 
Two seasons as an expert tour guide specializing in the history of the region during the Third Reich period allowed the author to carry out his own detailed research. There is an interview with a local man, who, as a small boy was photographed with Hitler, together with comments gathered during a recent meeting with Rochus Misch who served on Hitler’s staff.
 
“An interesting and captivating book. The author has given the material an excellent treatment and there are numerous period photographs which serve to show the subject in its ‘original’ state.” —Military Archive Research 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473831872
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	02/20/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	83 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

James Wilson was born in Northern Ireland in 1953. In 1972, he followed family tradition and entered the printing industry. Having moved to London in 1979, he went on to run his own business through the 1980s. Since 1993 he has worked for the Metropolitan Police Service.

Table of Contents

Foreword 6

Author's Comment 7

Introduction 8

Propaganda Postcards 15

Section 1

Humble Beginnings 19

Creating the Führer 24

Munich: City of Struggle and Triumph 28

Berchtesgaden: Fount of Inspiration 41

Obersalzberg: Spiritual Retreat 49

Haus Wachenfeld: A Country Home 54

Section 2

Berghof: Secondary Seat of Government 95

Visitors to the Berghof 127

The Führer and the Surrounding Area 128

The Munich Agreement 147

Section 3

Hotel Platterhof 157

Göring's Obersalzberg Home 168

Other Buildings on the Obersalzberg 176

Tunnel and Bunker System 189

The Destruction of the Obersaizberg 198

The Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) 203

Hotel Berchtesgadener Hof 215

Nazi Buildings around Berchtesgaden 222

Section 4

Associates of the Obersalzberg 243

Martin Bormann 243

Eva Braun 245

Joseph Goebbels 248

Magda Goebbels 252

Hermann Göring 255

Rudolf Hess 259

Heinrich Himmler 263

Adolf Hitler 265

Leni Riefenstahl 269

Baldur von Schirach 271

Albert Speer 273

The Obersalzberg; Tangible Remains Today 276

Acknowledgements and Bibliography 277

Appendix 278