Reitsch Testimony

The item is a typescript copy of the testimony of Hanna Reitsch obtained by Work in 1945. After an introduction it details with Reitsch's trip to Berlin, her arrival at the bunker, Hitler's denunciation of Goering, her determination to die for the 'honor' of the Luftwaffe, Hitler's realisation that the War was lost, the other occupants in the bunker, observations on the occupants, especially Frau Goebbels, Eva Braun, Martin Borman, and Adolf Hitler; she also gives details about the possibility that Hitler still was alive, her opinion of Hitler, his suicide council in the bunker, the betrayal of Himmler, and her own departure from the bunker on 30 April, as well as explanations of the events and the interrogator's interpretation, and his evaluation of her reliability.

Hanna Reitcsh (1912-1979), Luftwaffe pilot, flew Lt Gen Ritter von Greim to Hitler in Germany just before the end of the War. As a result she spent several days in the Berlin bunker, leaving not long before the suicide of the occupants. She surrendered to the Americans in Kitzbuhl on 9th May 1945, and later gave testimony to Captain Robert F Work, Chief Interrogator, regarding the last days of Hitler.

Usual EUL arrangements apply

Donated in December 1981

Usual EUL arrangements apply

Judy Lomax, Hanna Reitsch: flying for the Fatherland (Murray, 1988)

The original is believed to be in Washington