Misch, Rochus Hitler's Last Witness

The Memoirs of Hitler's Bodyguard

After being severely wounded during the 1939 Polish Campaign, Rochus Misch was invited to join Hitlers SS bodyguard unit. There, he served until the end of the war as Hitlers bodyguard, courier, orderly, and, ultimately, as head of the communications center. From the terrace of the Berghof, he observed Eva Braun organizing parties, took the measure of Heinrich Himmler and Albert Speer, andon July 20, 1944, following the assassination attempt on Hitlermonitored telephone calls between Berlin and the headquarters in East Prussia. As the war drew to a close, Misch retreated into the Führerbunker alongside the last remaining loyalists. As defeat loomed, he dutifully remained in charge of the bunkers telephone exchangecontinuing his duties even after Hitler had committed suicide. Misch knew Hitler as a private individual, and his attitude was characterized by unconditional loyalty. His memoirs offer an intimate glimpse into life in Hitlers immediate proximity, as well as into the endless hours spent deep within the bunker; moreover, they provide new insights into military eventssuch as Hitlers initial consideration of withdrawing the 6th Army from Stalingrad. Shortly before his death, Misch penned a new foreword for this English-language edition.