The Russian intelligence agency has released detailed information about Adolf Hitler’s last moments, along with numerous other files concerning the notorious dictator.
This release of documents aligns with the 80th anniversary of Hitler’s death, which occurred on April 30. On that same day, Moscow decided to unveil a collection of documents shedding light on the infamous leader.
The newly disclosed documents provide insights into the events of Hitler’s final days, including his last words to his closest aide.
On April 30, 1945, Nazi Germany fell as Hitler ended his life by suicide.
According to SS-Sturmbannführer Heinz Linge: “At the moment of suicide, Hitler was dressed in a white shirt with a white turn-down collar and a black vest, a grey double-breasted uniform jacket made of fine gabardine, long black trousers of fine gabardine, thin black paper socks, and black leather half-boots.”
Linge continued: “His wife was dressed in a fine silk dress, very thin silk stockings, and shoes with wedge heels (possibly of Italian make).”
He also noted, “Three canisters of petrol, prepared by Reichsleiter Martin Bormann for the cremation of the bodies of Hitler and his wife, were standing on the last landing leading from the bomb shelter into the garden of the Reich Chancellery.”
Until now, the world was unaware of Hitler’s final words. This has changed with the release of previously classified information.
The documents include notes detailing a conversation between Linge and Hitler just before his death.
Linge recounted: “When saying goodbye to Hitler on 30 April 1945, I asked: ‘Führer, whom should we try to break through to in the West?’ they explained.”
He received the reply: “‘For the sake of the one who is still to come.'”
Russian state television has shared footage that graphically illustrates Hitler’s teeth, which were used by the Soviets to confirm the identity of the Nazi leader once a body was discovered.
The notes also detail the location of Hitler and Eva Braun’s bodies: “The bodies lay about 3 metres from the entrance to the bunker and were covered with soil.”
By May 8, 1945, a forensic report on the corpse believed to be Hitler’s was completed. This report highlighted ‘the presence in the mouth cavity of crushed glass ampoule fragment, a distinct bitter almond smell, and results from chemical testing of internal organs showing cyanide compounds.’
There were initial concerns that the body found might have been a double and that Hitler had escaped Berlin. However, officials soon confirmed this was not the case.