Evening star., 1945-05-20

ports on the battle positions were
discussed but the answer to the big
question still did not come.
The group was summoned again
at 8 pm. and Hitler told them
Herrgesell said, not once but IL
times, II am going to stay in Berlin.
I won't desert now. I will fall here
before the chancellery." The words
were repeated over and over again
as if the Fuehrer relished the dismay
and anxiety which was written over
his colleagues faces.
Plead With Hitler.
Then came long series of plead
ings by Hitler's followers trying to
dissuade him from his fateful de-
cision.
These were climaxed by one from
Foreign Minister Joachim Won Rib
bentrop-disclosed today for the first
time and the only one which tempt
ed Hitler to change his mind.
"The others whispered that Goeb-
bels got him to do it," Herrgesell
said. Won Ribbentrop telephoned
him: Mein Fuehrer, you must
hold on. From one of my agents
in Switzerland who has contact with
high British military circles, have
just learned that British and Ameri-
cans are going to fight against Rus
sia. We must hold on
"Hitler's face lighted up for a
moment, then he wilted and slowly,
contemptuously said: That's what
you say!" and hung up on him"
Keitel and Bormann reminded
Hitler of what you told us months
ago-we must fight as long as any
of Germany is left. You said you
wanted to fight until the last piece
of ground was gone and you had
been thrice killed"
Voices Rise.
Their voices rose and their words
tumbled out in torrents.
1T is stupid to stay here they
said. I'VE can go north or 60 south
and We can fight on. We can turn
the 18th Army against the Rus
sians."
The jangling phone increased the
pandemonium Guensche answered
it and handed it to Hitler. 1t was
Doenitz phoning from his head
quarters in the north.
The coastal batteries have been
turned from the sea to the land"
he said. II can hold the British
for while"
Hitler didn't say anything"
Herrgesell said. He just hung up"
The confused babel was inter-
rupted shortly by another phone
call. 1t was Field Marshal Scho-
erner, commanding the German
troops in Czechoslovakia.
He wanted to speak to Hitler"
Herrgesel said. HE was phoning
from Dresden. Hitler said, he only
wants to ask me to leave and
would not talk to him.
Fuehrer is Adamant.
To all the frantic entreaties, Hit
Ter barked stolidly.
Il have killed many generals be-
cause they retreated. 1 will not
retreat myself. When 1 leave Ber-
lin. everything is lost. I will not
capitulate in the west"
The Fuehrer left the room and
the door was scarcely shut when
Keitel and Jodl began whispering
excitedly.
I'VE will have to take him away"
Keitel said according to Herrgesell.
even If by force. We will take
him out"
Jodl, commencing to be concerned
over his own personal welfare, con-
fided to the others in a gutteral
breath: Il am not staying in this
rattrap any longer. I am leaving. ="
1t was then that Hitler returned
to the room and formally ordered all
three to leave Berlin-Keitel. Bor-
mann and Jodl. The protests that
came proved too much for the
wrought-up Fuehrer's patience and
he let down his hair.
Hitler Loses Faith.
II no longer have any confidence
in the Wehrmacht," Herrgesell said
Hitler began. II have had no con-
f1dence in the Luftwaffe for two
years now-losing four planes to
the enemy's one-and now I have
lost confidence in the S."
The words had the effect of a
bolt of lightning, Herrgesell said. It
was the first time Hitler had spoken
so frankly to his military and poll
tical leaders.
"The Waffen SIS in the 9Th Army"
Hitler went on" was fighting the
Hungarians in Russia-I was told
I had $4,000 men when really there
were only four divisions, more nearly
40, 900 men. The attack collapsed
in a few days. Dietrich (Gen. Sepp
Dietrich) lied to me.
Fegelein (SS adjutant to Hitler)
told me there were 5000 or 5000