The Obersalzberg - Hitler´s Home, A guide to explore the history of a mountain by John Provan

Author:John Provan [Provan, John]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: architchitecture, germany, history
Publisher: LZC Luftschiff Zeppelin Collection
Published: 2011-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

VI.d.8. Stanggass the Small Reichskanzlei

VI.d.8. Stanggass the Small Reichskanzlei

VI.d.8. Stanggass the Small Reichskanzlei

VI.e. The Bunker System

Hermann Göring built a personal bunker in 1941, for the protection of his family, which extended from his house to the adjacent house, some distance away.

In 1943, it became evident that an air raid bunker had been overlooked for Hitler’s safety. Since Hitler was returning to the Obersalzberg on December 24. 1943, a 130 meter section of tunnel was quickly built for Hitler, Eva Braun (1912-1945) and several close friends. There were also numerous special interest projects connected with the bunker, such as quarters for the keeper of Hitler’s dogs, a special bathroom for Eva Braun, and so on. In all, this bunker system began to grow and expand, with work continuing until the last days of the war. Naturally, Martin Bormann had built himself a very impressive bunker system with wood inlaid floors, expensive rugs, paintings and bathrooms. Bormann also had a telephone switchboard with 800 connections, enough food and supplies for him and his family, that would last for years. The Göring system was never directly connected to Hitler’s bunker, since Bormann’s house was situated directly between the two, and Bormann disliked Göring with a passion. Therefore, ten meters of tunnel separated the two bunker systems.

The original Berghof bunker system was really a very simple concept; a tunnel, with various stairs, constructed 30 to 50 meters under ground. A gas lock was installed to protect against a possible gas attack, while machine gun turrets were located throughout the complex, mainly at entrance doors, for protection from outside. From a central hallway, rooms were located on both sides. Naturally, there were several entrance tunnels from various buildings, just in case one was blocked or destroyed as a result of an air raid.

As previously mentioned, the bunker was constantly in a state of expansion and within the next year and a half, the bunker system had expanded from 130 meters to 2,775 meters of completed tunnel systems and that just for the Berghof, itself. This bunker was connected to the Quest House and ended near the large dining room in the Platterhof Hof.46 Plans existed for a tunnel to be constructed in the direction Buchenhöhe which was 2,000 meters distant and another tunnel was projected near the Gutshof which was approximately 800 meters away. Plans for expansion on the Obersalzberg bunkers appeared to be never ending. For example, there was an elevator planned from the Berghof, so Hitler would not be required to climb the long stairway down into the bunker complex. An additional level of bunkers was planned, 50 meters below the first. Another bunker was designed to house approximately 100 vehicles, with work beginning in the Oberstar area. It was estimated to be 500 meters long and wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Under the SS Kaserne, as already mentioned, a bunker system with two levels existed, which included the underground firing range.47 A concrete tower was located on the hill above

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