At Hitler's Side: the Memoirs of Hitler's Luftwaffe Adjutant 1937-1945

Description

Intro; Half Title; Full Title; Copyright Page; Contents; List of Illustrations; List of Abbreviations; Introduction; My Career Prior to Appointment; The Daily Routine of the Luftwaffe Adjutant; Hitler's Staff; The Führer's Residences; Hitler and the Luftwaffe; The Polish Question and the Path to War; Chapter One: 1939; The FHQ; The Polish Campaign; The Battle for Warsaw; Hitler's Style of Leadership; Hitler, Halder and Brauchitsch; Decision for a Campaign in the West; Assassination at the Bürgerbräukeller; Hitler's Thought on the Operational Plan; Developments at the End of the Year;"An intimate glimpse into the decision-making process of the Nazi military leadership" from a Luftwaffe aide at Hitler's side until the last days in Berlin (Library Journal). Nicolaus von Below was a 29-year-old pilot when Goering selected him for the position of Hitler's Luftwaffe adjutant. He was with Hitler at every stage as the Second World War unfolded. His observations tell of Hitler's responses to momentous events as well as military decisions and policy-making at headquarters. Published for the first time in English, this is a superb historical source describing life in Hitler's inner circle, relied upon by Gitta Sereny in her biography of Albert Speer. The book provides fascinating insight into how Hitler planned the invasions of Poland and Russia; what he thought of Britain and America; why he placed his faith in the V-1 and V-2 projects; how others dealt with him; and much more. Von Below was present at the assassination attempt in July 1944, and records the effect on Hitler and his followers. He was also the last of Hitler's close military entourage to emerge from the bunker alive, eventually imprisoned as a material witness at Nuremberg. "Sure to become an important memoir for those studying the Nazi war machine."--Publishers Weekly "Indispensable."-Ian Kershaw, author of Hitler: A Biography.