After vanquishing France Hitler launched a massive attack on Russia ignoring the no-war pact in June, 1941. Before that German forces had trampled upon Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Hitler’s dream was to take into possession the vast oil reserves of Russia. Germans made progress deep into Russia. By 16th July Germans had reached Smolensk. Hitler wanted to reach Moscow as soon as possible. Petersburg was under the siege of Germans. Then, winter put a stop to German campaign. After two months Germans took over Otoditrich. By the month of December Ukraine was vanquished.
Then, Japan attacked U.S. naval base Pearl Harbour and joined the Second World War dragging America too in the war. Now USA too was against Axis Forces. It sent immediate consignment of arms to Russia to help it fight the German might.
The Russians counter attacked in a big way inflicting staggering losses on the Germans. Russian winter also massacred Germans. Russian forces drove back German armies and chased it out of the lands it had earlier won. Out of the millions of Germans engaged in Russia only a few thousands survived.
In Russian campaign Germans killed 5 million Russian soldiers and 6 million civilians. They also lost millions of soldiers. The back of Hitler was broken.
Meanwhile, Allied forces also landed in Normandy Beach of France. The Germans were driven back from France, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg besides from the Scandinavian lands.
Russia had chased Germans out of Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland. The enemy forces were converging on Germany to deal the final knockout punch.
Italy had already been vanquished by the Allies and Mussolini was dead.
Russians were hell-bent on taking revenge on Germany. A three million soldier strong Russian Red Army marched into Germany killing and plundering. At Audder the Red Army defeated the defending German army. From the west Allied forces had broken into Rhineland. Thus, the Red Army and Allied armies were closing in on Berlin.
By 22nd April, Red Army had entered Berlin. In every street fierce battles were fought. Russians killed one hundred thousand German soldiers. They were fast reaching Chancellory where Hitler was holded up in his underground bunker.
The bunker had 18 rooms. A six room set was specially designed for Hitler and his beloved Eva Braun equipped with all the amenities. In one set lived General Goebbel and his family.
On 29th April Russian shells began falling above on the Chancellory. Down in the bunker its inmates were preparing to face the final hours. The previous night Hitler had dinner with Goebbel family and other bunker inmates. In the morning he breakfasted cheerfully with others.
In the afternoon Hitler and Eva Braun got married with due custom. They had been living together for past 12 years. After the marriage he called his aid and prepared his will. To the countrymen he issued a message—
‘I am happy that my soldiers are fighting the enemies bravely and sacrificing their lives. But it is just a matter of time the enemy will take control of the Chancellory. I am taking my life of my own will. I request all the three chiefs of our armed forces to carry on the battle till the end so that no doubt remains about our bravery.
I and my wife Eva have decided to commit suicide.’
At night, before going to the bed Hitler received briefing on the latest situation.
On 30th April, at around 2 p.m. he took lunch. Then, Hitler asked his driver to fetch 200 litres of petrol.
He went to Eva’s room and emerged out with her by his side. The Hitler said good-bye to Borman and Goebbel. He bade good-bye to the country and offered military salute.
After that Hitler and Eva retired to their suites.
Seconds later, gun shot rang. Borman and Goebbel ran to their leader’s room. They found Hitler dead. He had shot himself. By his side lay Eva who had taken poison. It was 3.30 p.m. of 30 April, 1945.
As per Hitler’s pre-issued orders Storm Troop guards wrapped their bodies in blankets and carried them to the Chancellory garden. There, five cans of petrol was poured over the blanket covered bodies of Hitler and Eva and set them on fire.
Adolf Hitler died in his military uniform.
