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Hitler, Adolf

Date of birth:
April 20th, 1889 (Braunau am Ihn, Austria-Hungary)
Date of death:
April 30th, 1945 (Berlin, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

For the full biography of the person Adolf Hitler, we would like to refer you to:
- Adolf Hitler op TracesofWar

Adolf Hitler served as Gefreiter in the Bavarian Army during the First World War. On September 16th 1919 he became a member of the Deutsche Arbeiter Partei, a small left winged extreme workers party. This party he would use as his instrument for power. On July 29th he became chairman of the party, then known as NSDAP. Both the paty's para-military organisations made him to be their Führer (Leader) in January 1931. The elections of 1933 gave Hitler the office of Reichskanzler and after the abolishment of democracy he became Führer of the German People and Reichskanzler from August 12th 1934.

When the war was in its beginning stages, Hitler wanted to gain control over the Army. After becoming Commander in Chief of the German Army (Oberbefehlshaber der Wehrmacht) on February 4th 1938, het also became Commander in Chief of the Armed land forces (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres) on December 19th 1941. On April 30th Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his Command Bunker in Berlin, together with his wife Eva Brown, whom he had married just the day before.

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Gefreiter
Awarded on:
February 12th, 1915
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Gefreiter
Unit:
1. Kompanie, 16. Bayerisches Reserve-Regiment, 6. Reserve-Division, Bayerische Armee (1st Company, 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, Bavarian Army)
Awarded on:
September 17th, 1917

With swords
Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse des Militärverdienstordens
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Gefreiter
Unit:
1. Kompanie, 16. Bayerisches Reserve-Regiment, 6. Reserve-Division, Bayerische Armee (1st Company, 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, Bavarian Army)
Awarded on:
May 5th, 1918
Regimental Diploma
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Gefreiter
Unit:
1. Kompanie, 16. Bayerisches Reserve-Regiment, 6. Reserve-Division, Bayerische Armee (1st Company, 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, Bavarian Army)
Awarded on:
May 18th, 1918
Wounded in the left thigh when a shell exploded at the entrance to the dispatch runners' dugout, during the Battle of the Somme in October 1916.
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (1918)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Gefreiter
Unit:
1. Kompanie, 16. Bayerisches Reserve-Regiment, 6. Reserve-Division, Bayerische Armee (1st Company, 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, Bavarian Army)
Awarded on:
August 4th, 1918
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)

Recommended by Hugo Gutmann, a Jewish List adjutant, on 31 July 1918.
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Gefreiter
Unit:
1. Kompanie, 16. Bayerisches Reserve-Regiment, 6. Reserve-Division, Bayerische Armee (1st Company, 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, Bavarian Army)
Awarded on:
August 25th, 1918

With swords
III. Klasse des Militärverdienstordens
Rank:
Führer der NSDAP
Awarded on:
1929
Nürnberger Parteitagsabzeichen 1929
Rank:
Führer der NSDAP
Awarded on:
1931
Abzeichen des SA - Treffens Braunschweig 1931
Rank:
Führer der NSDAP
Awarded on:
1932
Coburger Abzeichen
Rank:
Führer der NSDAP
Awarded on:
1933

Awarding number 1.
Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP
Rank:
Führer der NSDAP
Awarded on:
1933

Hitler appears to have worn this lapel pin for social occasions between 1933 and 1935
Adler der Souveränität
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Führer und Reichskanzler
Awarded on:
September 4th, 1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Rank:
Führer und Reichskanzler
Awarded on:
November 9th, 1933
Nr.00
Ehrenzeichen des 9. November 1923 (Blutorden)
Rank:
Führer und Reichskanzler
Awarded on:
1938
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Führer und Reichskanzler
Awarded on:
1938
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange
Rank:
Führer und Reichskanzler
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Führer und Reichskanzler
Awarded on:
September 2nd, 1944

The awarding of this decoration is oncertain and still not sure. Different sources state different answers to this. Beceause of the fact that all people that were present at the incident received a medal, until further notice or proof we suggest he received on too.
Verwundetenabzeichen 20 juli 1944 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Führer der NSDAP
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 25 Jahre
Rank:
Führer der NSDAP

With oakleaves
Goldenes Hitlerjugend Ehrenzeichen mit Eichenlaub
Gau Abzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Führer und Reichskanzler

With "1944" clasp
Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen
Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer
Awarded on:
1934
Nr. 01
SS-Zivilabzeichen

War Diary mentions

30 September 1944 WO 171/838 - 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards
The Commanding Officer held a conference for Squadron Leaders at 0900 hrs. and issued orders for “A” Squadron to relieve “C” Squadron of their duties with 214 Inf. Bde. In the HERVELD area at 1700 hrs. to-day and “B” Squadron was to be prepared to support, in case of a flap, the 5 DCLI to the East side of the Island towards BEMMEL. Apparently Hitler has given personal orders that we are to be kicked out of the Island (i.e. above NIJMEGEN – ARNHEM).

17 December 1944 WO 171/607 - 6 Guards Tank Brigade
Detailed news of the German attack is difficult to get. Gen Eisenhower has ordered restrictions on communiques giving dispositions of troops in the affected sector. Orders of the Day issued by von Rundstedt and Hitler indicate that this is in fact a supreme effort.

Sources

Photo

The War Illustrated

Themes