PICTURES FROM THE LIFE •• OF THE FUHRER 301-400 Thousand Heinrich Hoffmann, NSDAP Press Photographer of the Reich, Munich, was responsible for the selection and artistic arrangement of the photographs in this work. The full-page front piece is a reproduction of a painting by B. Jacobs. Binding and title page designed by O.H.W. Hadank, Berlin Graphic Design: Carl Ernst Poeschel, Leipzig ££61 '£1 laqwalda~ un tiJaqwaluN u! 6nlli4l!am unWla!i) a41 In luaQ'llialj 6nlli4,!am a4m ·lOlnlUi n QunoJ Ogln annq fiaqJ !lalqUlf n unqJ alom nofi Ul QunoJ annq aldoad agaqJ agnnlaq finQoJ fiddnq Qun ttUOlJg gl ~uollnu allJua un ~lfloll allJua uy ·gafia Qungnoql QalQunq n mOlJ finQoJ nofi uodn gaulqg ~lalqUlf fim 'nofi Ul qllnJ aJnuOlggnd Qun ~ anO} 'aQnJlJnltt aqJ ny ·nofi lOJ uOlJlaJJn Qun fiJlnfiO} lno aJnlJgUOmaQ OJ gQlOltl aqJ QUY OJ alqn am aln lON ·lalqUlf fim ~gQlom Jltrt Ul aQnJlJnltt lno ggaldxa OJ alqnun aln a_ wablr of (!1outruts Page Foreword by Dr. joseph Goebbels . .7 The Fuhrer's Travels by SS Generalmajor julius Schreck t .................................9 The FUhrer and the German People by Dr. Otto Dietrich . 19 The FUhrer as an Orator by Dr. joseph Goebbles .......................................27 The Private Life of the FUhrer by General Wilhelm Bruckner ..............................35 The FUhrer as Statesman by Dr. joseph Goebbels ......................................44 The FUhrer and the German Worker by Dr. Robert Ley ................................. .56 The FUhrer and the Arts by Dr. joseph Goebbels ......................................64 The Buildings of the FUhrer by Albert Speer, Architect ..................................72 Adolf Hitler and His Roads by Inspector General Fritz Todt, Doctor of Engineering ..............78 Our Hitler (radio speech to the German nation on the FUhrer's birthday) by Dr. joseph Goebbels ....................................................... .85 The FUhrer and the Wehrmacht by First Lieutenant Foertsch ..............................9 t The FUhrer and German Youth by Baldur von Schirach. ................................ t 05 Special contribution by SS General Major julius Schaub, The FUhrer in Landsberg Prison ......... t 26 1J1nrrUtnr~ M any misunderstandings still prevail - throughout the world and even in Germany - on the con­ cept of propaganda. Since these misconceptions are so ingrained and for the most part based on prejudices, they are difficult to clear up. Since the end of the war, the German nation in particular has been taught an object lesson on this subject. It is impossible to imagine a better or more powerful les­ son. In a relatively short time span historically, propaganda has become extremely important in Germany; today there is more than enough proof of the fact that imperial Germany was overthrown by the onset of Marxist propaganda. It is also clear that the Marxist-democratic regime was overcome sole­ ly because the idea of National Socialism and National Socialist propaganda countered Marxism with a superior new order and efficiency. Even propaganda must be mastered. It is absolutely useless to assign this job to just any bright person who happens to be available as the need arises. As with all great art, it requires uniquely qualified peo­ ple who usually found a school through which they render their art form acceptable. The common mis­ conception that propaganda is dishonorable or inferior must also be dispelled. As with everything else in life, it depends entirely on how it is used and what it contributes in practical terms to the world. In this sense, propaganda has nothing at all to do with promotion. At its best, propaganda allows situa­ tions and people to speak for themselves. Propaganda ensures that if something is worthwhile, its full value is brought to light and explained. Good things and great people speak for themselves. One must value them and not place restrictions on them. The most important characteristic of particularly successful propaganda is that nothing is omitted and nothing is added that is not essential to the subject in question. The characteristics of situations or personalities are to be clearly, powerfully, simply, and naturally lifted out of the confusion of current top­ ics, so that these pOints are understandable and obvious to the masses of people who shall be moved and won over. National Socialism and its principal representatives lend themselves naturally to this art. And they have worked hard to learn and apply their art. They have accomplished this through untiring and extremely close contact with the people and by progressively refining their skills to the highest level. Moreover, the FUhrer himself was the greatest teacher of propaganda. It is a little-known fact that for quite a while early in the history of the party the FUhrer held no office other than that of Director of Propaganda. His ingenious mastery and management of this office left upon the party a unique intellectual, organi­ zational, and political marlc From the very beginning his supporters (and later the entire German nation) focused the entirety of their love on him and placed an enormous store of trust in him, for his very nature and character recognized the necessity of speaking to his people (whose child he always was and always will be) and of acting from the heart. Initially the masses saw him from a distance only as a politician and statesman. The pure­ ly human side of him remained in many ways in the background. Today the world recognizes Hitler as the creator of National Socialist doctrine and the organizer of the National Socialist state; as the pioneer of a new European order; as the guide to peace and to the wel­ fare of nations. But untold millions all over the world know that behind all of this there is the exciting and fascinating figure of the man Adolf Hitler - even if they have only a rough idea of what this means. The great simplicity and the simple greatness radiating from his person completely and compellingly affect not only every German, but also touch every foreigner who possesses good instincts. Today he can no doubt be described the world over as the man who is most deeply and clearly rooted in the thought and mood of these modern times, and who because of this, has within himself the ability to re­ form these times as no other can. In order to completely appreciate this side of him, one must see him as a person in addition to politician and statesman. And this book shall be a guide. This book provides insight into his personality, brought with love and veneration from his closest colleagues and oldest comrades. In this book, the authors offer the public a picture of this great man that has not previously been seen. All of the contributors to this publication have known the Fuhrer for many years, right down to the last detail, and thus have come to admire him more and more each day. It is thiscperspective that makes this book valuable. The FUhrer appears in this book as a person with an immediate connection to all the issues of our times. The German nation will gladly grasp this chance to see the FUhrer up close, thereby getting closer to him personally. In addition, it is particularly gratifying that this book will be easily available and affordable. This will give masses of German readers access to it. May this book hereby begin its felicitous and successful path to the German people! Ir. 3Jl1!itpq ~l1tbbr.ls Th e Fiihrer promotes aviation by example. IDq.e lJ1iiqr.er'!i IDrau.eln By 55 Brigade Captain Julius Schreck t 1\rever before has a prominent statesman The great political battles for power proved that ~ become so thoroughly acquainted with his the Fuhrer was far ahead of all his adversaries due country and people as Adolf Hitler. Whether by to the motorization of his retinue. At that time, automobile, airplane, or train, his travels always there were not always throngs of cheering people promote a thorough acquaintance with his nation. surrounding the Fuhrer. During the campaign Even at the beginning of his movement, he had years we experienced some trips that were very the foresight to recognize the importance of rapid difficult, and we were only able to secure a path transportation, particularly the automobile; he uti­ by using presence of mind and force. No reports lized rapid transportation despite his quite modest of trouble ahead could prevent the Fuhrer from means at that time. Today the Hihrer stiU prefers driving into the strongholds of red and black the automobile because it is important to him to adversaries (often right through the middle of wild remain in constant contact with his comrades and crowds of Bolsheviks) and past the demonstra­ old campaigners. tions of the other side. Sometimes our car was 9 completely surrounded by thou­ sands of incited comrades. But time after time we experienced how their raised fists sank under the gaze of the f Uhrer, how they looked up and realized that this Hitler looked quite different than he had always been described to them. How m any misguided German workers looked then for the first time into the eyes of the man who was supposed to be their adversary, only to become fanatical supporters of his Movement right then and there? No newspaper propaganda, no books alone could have accom­ plished this marveL A.nd thus three years after he seized power he was able to say, "Where else is there a statesman like myself who, after three years of governing, does not have to fear going out among the people - just as [ did back then?" To this very day when his work and government busqness allow him, rather than staying in his office, the FUhrer drives out into the country to be among the people.