Adolf Hitler: Post-War Years, 1945-1971

The Project:

The project is a dedicated exploration of Adolf Hitler's later years, spanning from his escape in 1945 from Germany to his demise in 1972 in Africa. The multifaceted endeavor encompasses a meticulously curated photo album, a 52-minute documentary, and a comprehensive gallery exhibition.

Historical Context:

On May 2, 1945, Adolf Hitler, accompanied by Eva Braun, Martin Bormann, his personal physician Arno Schwarz, Hans Klapmann, and security personnel, embarked on the SS submarine Germania in Kiel. Carrying over 75 million dollars in gold, art-works, and liquid assets, a week later, the submarine reached the coast of South-West Africa. On May 10th, Germania docked at the underwater submarine base near Killimbango on the Namibian coast. The same night, Hitler and his cohort discreetly moved to a ranch 250 miles from Lüderitz. Adopting the pseudonym Karl Ruebnetz, Hitler lived incognito in Namibia for approximately eight months. In July 1945, Hans Klapmann departed for Argentina, setting the stage for Hitler's subsequent move in February 1946.

Establishment in Argentina:

In Argentina, the Hitlers settled on a large estate near Puerto Deseado, acquired by Klapmann the preceding year. From 1948 to 1951, the details of Hitler's life during this period remain elusive. Eva Braun's infrequent diary entries suggest Hitler's illness and subsequent recovery in early 1948, deemed by some in his inner circle as a divine sign. Hitler, convinced his mission was incomplete, commenced work on his new book, "Die Neu Kampf," in 1949.

The Argentine Years:

In May 1951, the Hitlers relocated to a ranch near the city of Corrientes, bordering Paraguay. Here, in 1952, Eva Braun gave birth to Hitler's son Hans, who tragically perished two years later. In 1952, Hitler underwent plastic surgery in Asuncion, performed by Dr. Gustavo Franz, altering his appearance. Subsequently, Hitler embarked on extensive travels to Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay.

The Early 1950s:

During the early 1950s, Hitler engaged in crafting war memoirs and political pamphlets under the pseudonym Arthur Reichman, revisiting ideas from "Die Neu Kampf." Notably, five brochures were published in Asuncion. In 1957, Hitler and Eva Braun traveled to New York, maintaining anonymity with Swiss passports. Their stay included discussions about investing in the NY Stock Exchange, with a particular interest in Pan American stocks.

Connections in South America:

Simultaneously, Hitler's inner circle cultivated close ties with Paraguay's ruling Colorado party, with Hitler known only as "Herr Ruebnitz." Kurt Vagelman, as Hitler's chief adviser and investment officer, utilized Lorenz & Casparo, a Buenos Aires brokerage agency, to invest in the New York Stock Exchange. This agency, run by Albert Lorenz (an alias for Hans Gruber), managed a significant portion of Nazi assets in South America.

Shifts in Fortune:

Around this time, Vagelman met a tragic end in a Buenos Aires bordello in 1960, under circumstances never fully elucidated. Another key figure, Hans Moëlle, briefly managed Nazi assets after Vagelman's death, focusing on investments in the Argentine agriculture and steel industry. In 1961, Lorenz set up several screen companies, amassing an annual turnover exceeding 140 million dollars. In 1962, Argentinian authorities cracked down on Lorenz's operations, resulting in his arrest on fiscal fraud charges and subsequent mysterious death. The same year, Moëlle attempted to misappropriate 2.5 million dollars of Hitler's funds, meeting his demise through asphyxia in La Plata.

A Change of Scene:

In December 1962, Hitler resolved to leave Argentina. Initially considering Paraguay, he altered his plans and, on December 1, 1962, boarded a boat bound for India with Eva Braun, Klapmann, Schwartz, and security officers, including Hans Kugel, Klaus Manitzky, and Günther Globinsky. This marked the commencement of Hitler's Indian chapter, where he garnered influential followers.

Indian Sojourn:

Arriving in India in January 1963, Hitler and his cohort settled initially in Madras before relocating to the Calcutta suburb. The year 1963 was marred by the sudden death of Eva Braun in April, a profound loss for the man responsible for the deaths of millions. According to Günther Globinsky, Hitler never fully recovered from Eva's demise.

Literary Pursuits and Surveillance:

During these years, Hitler contributed articles to Mercury, a pro-Nazi Madras monthly published by Maximilliana Porta (alias Savitri Devi) and her husband, both active Nazi sympathizers. Growing police scrutiny prompted Hitler's move to Kanpur. In Kanpur, he led a quiet life for seven years, relinquishing politics to focus on meditation and memoirs. Hitler developed close ties with Ramapudge Harkalal, a guru and spiritual leader with a considerable following in Saharanpur.

The Waning Years:

In 1967, Arno Schwarz succumbed to cancer, followed by Kugel. Hitler's health deteriorated, resulting in his first stroke in 1969, which left his left side paralyzed. He also exhibited overt signs of dementia.

A Return to Namibia:

In 1970, frail and senile, Hitler returned to Namibia, spending his remaining years on Hans Globinsky's farm. The second stroke in January 1971 rendered him fully paralyzed, and a subsequent diagnosis revealed prostate cancer.

The Final Chapter:

Adolf Hitler passed away on August 17th, 1971, at the age of 82, finding his final resting place in the Walvis Bay municipal cemetery. The epitaph on his grave reads: A. H. 1889-1971 The great man who taught us the meaning of sacrifice. Let the fire burn.

Revelations and Documentation:

On his deathbed, Globinsky disclosed Hitler's true identity as "Herr Rudolf" to his son Klaus, a revelation confirmed by Günther Globnitsky. Klaus, a wealthy Windhoek dentist and history enthusiast, painstakingly reassembled the Hitler archives over the next decade.

Archiving the Past:

In 1986, Klaus shared his findings with Jon Khijumoff, a childhood friend and curator of the Namibia State Archives. Convinced of the historical significance, Khijumoff persuaded Globnitsky to deposit the archive in the Windhoek State Archives. Tragically, Hans Globnitsky died in a plane crash on June 1, 1988, while Jon Khijumoff passed away of a heart attack in 1989 during a visit to Russia.

The Archive Unveiled:

The archive comprises photographs, drawings, aquarelles, and over 1000 pages of various political manuscripts and memoirs. While some political writings echo themes from Mein Kampf, My Political Testament, and the Neu Kampf, the archive also includes Eva Braun's diaries. These diaries offer insight into the everyday life of one of the bloodiest dictators in history, meticulously chronicling their existence .