What we can be reasonably certain off is the fact that Hitler was a brave and conscientious soldier. In 1932 extracts from the testimonies provided by Hitler’s colleagues in support of his libel action against Echo Der Woche were collected and published in the Facts and Lies About Hitler pamphlet and they appear to be absolutely genuine and truthful. They certainly stood up to scrutiny and were obviously strong enough to convince the court of Hitler’s case. These sworn statements were each verified on oath and survived the rigours of the German legal system at a time before Hitler had tasted power. There is no question therefore of any legal fix and we must therefore accept the verdict of the court. It is clear from the weight of support that Hitler was certainly not, as he is all too frequently depicted, the cowardly and lonely outcast devoid of friends and lacking in respect from his comrades. In the pamphlet the statements are printed in order of rank with the most senior appearing first, beginning with the testimony of Colonel Satny.
‘… I can only give former Corporal Hitler the greatest praise for his extraordinary accomplishments. Fournes was a village behind the regiment’s battle line. It served as a recovery area for battalion relieved from the front, and also served as the seat of the regimental staff during calmer periods. The village was within the danger zone, and was frequently under rather heavy fire. During battle, the regimental headquarters was moved about 3/4 of an hour forward to Fournelles, and orders had to be carried to the front line. The path was often under enemy machine gun and artillery fire. I can never remember a single time when Hitler was absent from his post. Hitler may wear the medals he earned with pride…’
Signed: Satny, Colonel (retired),
former commander of the Bavarian R.-F.-R. 16 (List).
‘Mr. Hitler, as corporal, was a courier for the regimental staff, and was not only always willing to carry out hard tasks, but did so with distinction. I stress that the List Regiment, as might be expected from its history, was at the toughest parts of the front, fighting in frequent major battles…’
Signed: Baligand, Colonel (retired),
last commander of the Bavarian R.-F.-R. 16 (List).
‘… At particularly dangerous points I often was asked for volunteers, and at such times Hitler regularly volunteered, and without hesitation…’
Signed: Bruno Horn,
Lieutenant with the Bavarian R.-F.-R. 16 (List).
‘… Hitler never hesitated in the least in carrying out even the most difficult order, and very often took on the most dangerous duties for his comrades.
Couriers for the regimental staff had to be among the most reliable people, because serving as a regimental courier during battles and skirmishes required iron nerves and a cool head. Hitler always did his duty, and even after his severe thigh wound, volunteered to be sent back to his regiment from the reserve battalion immediately after his release from the hospital…’
Signed: Max Amann,
former sergeant with the Bavarian R.-F.-R. 16 (List).
‘… I often met Corporal Adolf Hitler as he served as courier to and from the front. Anyone who understands the duties of a courier – and any soldier who has served at the front does – knows what it means, day after day and night after night to move through artillery fire and machine gun fire from the rear…’
Signed: Joseph Lohr,
officer candidate with the Bavarian R.-F.-R. 16 (List).
‘… It is true that Hitler was nearly blinded by a courier mission during a heavy gas attack, even though he was wearing a gas mask…’
Signed: Jakob Weiß,
NCO with the Bavarian R.-F.-R. 16 (List).
‘… Hitler received the Iron Cross, First Class, during the spring or summer of 1918 for his outstanding service as a courier during the great offensive of 1918, and in particular for his personal capture of a French officer and about 15 men, whom he suddenly encountered during a mission, and as a result of his quick thinking and decisive action, captured.
Hitler was seen by his fellow couriers, and many others in the regiment, as one of the best and bravest soldiers.’
Signed: Ernst Schmidt,
with the Bavarian R.-F.-R. 16 (List) from November 1914 until October 1918.
According to the pamphlet, the most sensational moment of the trial came during the testimony of Hitler’s regimental comrade Michael Schlehuber. Schlehuber was a Social Democrat and had been a trade union member for 35 years. He was certainly not a Nazi and was actually called as a witness by the opposing side; it was to prove a disastrous decision for Hitler’s opponents:
‘I have known Hitler since the departure for the front of the Bavarian R.-I-R. 16. I came to know Hitler as a good soldier and faultless comrade. I never saw Hitler attempt to avoid any duty or danger. I was part of the division from first to last, and never heard anything then or afterwards bad about Hitler. I was astonished when I later read unfavorable things about Hitler’s service as a soldier in the newspapers. I disagree entirely with Hitler on political matters, and give this testimony only because I highly respect Hitler as a war comrade.’
Signed: Michael Schlehuber