ADOLF HITLER’S LAST MESSAGE TO GERMANY: “I SHALL REMAIN IN BERLIN…”

ADOLF HITLER’S LAST MESSAGE TO GERMANY: “I SHALL REMAIN IN BERLIN…”
A most important document, Adolf Hitler’s last hand-signed military message, written in his besieged bunker in Berlin and directed to one of his most loyal and devoted generals. The doomed dictator determinedly sets forth his final decision to remain in Berlin to participate: "...in the decisive battle for Germany...". Hitler’s letter, which we know was transmitted as a radiogram on April 24, 1945, reads in full: “I shall remain in Berlin, so as to take part, in honorable fashion, in the decisive battle for Germany, and to set a good example to all those remaining. I believe that in this way I shall be rendering Germany the best service. For the rest of you, every effort must be made to win the struggle for Berlin. You can there help decisively, by pushing northwards as early as possible. In warm friendship. Adolf Hitler” Hitler signs this text in red indelible pencil with a shaky, nearly illegible hand, typical of his writing in his final days. This message was sent in response to an entreaty to leave Berlin sent to Hitler by Field Marshal FERDINAND SCHORNER (1892-1973) a day earlier. Schorner, a strident Nazi, was completely devoted to Hitler and remained Hitler's favorite until the end. He begged Hitler: “…on behalf of all the brave soldiers, who are fighting for you, as well as those who have laid down their lives for you…to leave Berlin and to assume command...from the southern sector. You alone are the guarantee of the future continuance of the nation; from you alone every German man takes his orders, as does the whole of the fine German armed forces - unconditionally. You alone are Germany... Heil, my Fuhrer!...” This incredible piece is accompanied by solid provenance. Included is an original notarized ca. 1982 "Statement of Origin" from an American who discovered these documents in the Reichs Chancellery in June, 1945: "...I had been flown in at the time to help establish a medical dispensary for use during The Potsdam Conference…" Also present is an original typed letter signed by Hitler’s personal secretary, GETRAUD “TRAUDL” JUNGE (1920-2002). In her ca. 1975 letter, Junge writes: "...This letter brought back to my memory the communication between Hitler and Schorner in the last days of April 1945. The text sounds so familiar to me that I am almost sure I typed it myself. I think this letter could have been really Hitler’s last one from the bunker…” Schorner would be named as the new Commander-in-Chief of the German Army High Command (OKH) in Hitler's last testament. Of course, Hitler himself died in Berlin - not leading his men in battle, but instead with a self-inflicted pistol shot to his head six days after he signed this letter. In 2019, this message, sent to Schorner in the form of a telegraph, sold at auction for over $80,000.