April 30, 1945 is a special day in the history of the world. Hitler, who single-handedly led Nazi Germany to the extreme in World War II, chose to die in the basement of Berlin. Why did this once feared figure choose to commit suicide in a desperate situation from which he could not escape? What was the scene of his last moments? What are the untold stories behind this? Next, let's unveil the veil of mystery and explore the whole process of Hitler's suicide and the various psychological changes before his death.
Looking back on the long river of history, the spring of 1945 was just as the flowers were blooming, but for Germany, it was a season of war and death. By the end of World War II, the advance of the Allies and the Soviet Red Army had left Germany in a desperate situation. Although Hitler still fancied that the decisive battle in Berlin would turn things around, the cruelty of reality could no longer be concealed by his delusions.
The outbreak of the Battle of Berlin was almost a doomed tragedy. At the beginning of April 1945, the Allies were advancing on the Western Front, and the Soviet Red Army was closing in on the Berlin gates. Hitler's resistance pale in this situation. However, he still ordered the German army and people in the city to build a defensive line and prepare for the final battle. By this time, Hitler was already described as withered and on the verge of a mental breakdown, but his authoritarian nature made him reject any idea of surrender.
With the gradual advance of the Soviet army, the fighting in Berlin became more and more intense. By 24 April, the Soviets had completely encircled Berlin, but Hitler was still hiding in the basement of the Chancellery. Here he spent his last days with a small loyal retinue. On April 29, Hitler and his long-time partner, Eva Braun, held a hasty wedding, which seemed to put an end to his life.
According to the recollections of those present at the time, Hitler was in a state of extreme decadence after the wedding, and he had long talks with several close friends about the past glory and the coming end. He had apparently realized that his end could not be avoided. Perhaps out of fear of the treatment of Soviet captives, or perhaps to maintain a shred of the dignity of a leader, Hitler ordered his and Eva's bodies to be burned after death.
At noon on April 30, when Hitler was having a casual meal with a few female friends, Berlin was already under fire. Soon after the meal, he began his final preparations. It is said that before his death, he expressed a request to his secretary and cronies to have his body cremated to avoid being insulted by the enemy. That afternoon, Hitler and Eva had their final drink in their study, after which they sat side by side on the couch, Hitler committed suicide with a gun and Eva took poison.
Although the cause of Hitler's death is clear, the disposition of his body remains a mystery. According to those present, the bodies of Hitler and Eva were taken to the garden of the Chancellery, watered with gasoline and burned. However, due to the lack of vigor in the fire, the body was not completely burned. This scene was later discovered by the Soviet Red Army, but the specific details and the final whereabouts of the remains, accompanied by Soviet secrets and political calculations, became the object of long-term debate and speculation.
Hitler's suicide marked the collapse of Nazi Germany and the substantial end of World War II. Despite the smoke of war, Hitler's death remained controversial and mysterious. Some historians believe that Hitler's death was not only an escape from his own crimes, but also a kind of control over the humiliating fate that was to come. His choices have left many questions in history, such as what was his ultimate motive, how did he deal with his defeat and death, questions that perhaps only those who experienced it firsthand can answer.
Hitler's suicide was not just the end of his personal fate, it also symbolized the end of an era. The atrocities of the Nazis, the extreme oppression of humanity and the ethnic cleansing all came to an end in his suicide. But the end of this history does not mean that the lessons can be forgotten. Hitler's death, and the constituencies and controversies that followed, remind us that the profound lessons of history must be remembered in order to prevent them from being repeated in the future.
Hitler's suicide was not only the end of one man, but also the end of an extremist regime. From his rise to his final downfall, Hitler embodied the erosion of power and the danger of personal dictatorship. The manner in which he died, and the subsequent disposal of his body, all reflect the sadness and cruelty of that era. By looking back at this history, we should be more vigilant to ensure that such a historical tragedy is not repeated anywhere. History is the best textbook, and its lessons should serve as a beacon for our future decision-making. Let us remember that learning from history is the most effective way to prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies.