Adolf Hitler’s ‘final words’ before he killed himself in Berlin have allegedly been unearthed in the personal diary of the Nazi leader’s pilot.
The journal of Lieutenant-general Hans Baur, one of Hitler’s most trusted members of staff, offers rarely seen pictures of the Führer as well as an account of the dictator’s last moments on April 30 1945.
Brought together in his re-released memoirs titled I was Hitler's Pilot, the book details what it believes to be the Nazi leader's emotional last words to Baur.
'I'm ending it today', the Führer is thought to have said before killing himself moments later alongside his wife Eva Braun.
The journal of Lieutenant-general Hans Baur (left), one of Adolf Hitler’s (picture right, relaxing during a flight over Germany in 1932) most trusted members of staff, offers rarely seen pictures of the Führer as well as the pilot’s account of the dictator’s last moments on April 30 1945
Baur's wedding day on May 13 1936 in Munich. Hitler (pictured left) was the pilot's best man. Baur’s friendship with Hitler was sparked in the early 1930s when the pilot was hired to help Hitler campaign around Germany
Hitler, Baur, and Martin Bormann, who was one of the Nazi leader's closest lieutenants, (pictured left to right) visit a military field hospital during the Second World War
‘Hitler came up to me and took both my hands in his’, recalled Baur, who died in 1993 aged 96.
‘“Baur, I want to say goodbye to you. The time has come. My generals have betrayed me; my soldiers don't want to go on and I can't go on.”’
The pilot added: ‘I tried to persuade him that there were still planes available, and that I could get him away to Japan or the Argentine, or to one of the Sheiks, who were all very friendly to him on account of his attitude to the Jews.
‘“The war will end with the fall of Berlin,” Hitler declared. “And I stand or fall with Berlin.”’
Hitler and Baur perform the Nazi salute. There was no doubt that Hitler shared a special bond with Baur, with the Nazi leader even purchasing the pilot a brand new car for his 40th birthday
Hitler and Baur exchange warm greetings as they prepare to fly together. Despite his key role in the Führer's inner circle, Baur claimed he was not involved in the politics of the Third Reich, stating he was 'a pilot, not a politician'
The Nazi leader and his pilot with Wilhelm Brückner, who was Hitler's chief adjutant until October 1940, as they are briefed by the dictator on where he wants to travel to
A youthful admirer in Berlin asks for Baur's autograph. He became a celebrity in his own right due to his proximity to Hitler following his appointment to the job of personal pilot
The Führer then apparently said: ‘A man must summon up courage enough to face the consequences - and therefore I'm ending it now. I know that tomorrow millions of people will curse me - that's fate.
‘The Russians know perfectly well that I am here in this bunker, and I'm afraid they'll use gas shells. There are gas-locks here, I know, but can you rely on them?’
Finishing his speech to his friend, Hitler said: ‘In any case, I'm not - and I'm ending it today,’ according to the diary.
The Nazi leader was then said to have offered Baur a valuable painting as a gift
