The
Barnes Review
A Journal of Nationalist Thought & History
Volume XI
Number 3 .............May/June
2005............www.barnesreview.org
P. 76; HITLER: THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER by Michael Collins Piper
Adolf Hitler: Few know much about his courageous participation in
World War I and even fewer have ever seen an unbiased film on the
man. Hitler: The Unknown Soldier is one of those rare films
on Hitler that actually helps set the historical record straight
—
taking an honest look at Hitler, the frontline fighter, and his
quite impressive combat record compiled during "the Great War".
. . .
TBR VIDEO REVIEW
Adolf
Hitler:
Unkown Soldier
By Michael Collins Piper
T
here are very few people living on the face of the planet who do
not recognize the visage or the name of Adolf Hitler. He is probably
the best-known figure of world history, perhaps even more so than
Jesus Christ Himself. (And that's no exaggeration, nor meant to
be a slight at the memory of the Lord and Savior. Just simply a
fact.)
Despite all this, what people "know" about Hitler is primarily
his record as the ruler of Germany —
really all of Europe —
during the middle of the 20th century. What people —
even well read folks —
do not know about is Hitler's remarkable record as s front-line
soldier during World War I. (Hitler is shown in the World War I
photo above, far right.)
Although, during his heyday (and even now) there are some who have
tried to portray Hitler as "just another soldier" or,
at worst, some sort of coward, nothing could be further from the
truth. And even though in his lifetime there
were political opponents who tried to sully Hitler's war record,
the remarkable new video, Hitler: The Unknown Soldier
— 1914-1918,
sets the record straight, noting, for example, that even one of
Hitler's accusers actually admitted, in the end, that he had lied
about Hitler. But some of those lies "stuck" and, to this
day, there are those who believe Hitler was a coward. Now, at last,
the facts.
Hitler was recalled by his superiors for his "iron constitution"
and "unreserved courage" on the battlefield. He was hailed
for his "outstanding bravery" in front line action. And
it was not true —
as some claim, as a bit of irony —
that it was a Jewish officer who was the one who awarded Hitler
his much-deserved Iron Cross, First Class, which, as the film points
out, was a "rare decoration" for a simple corporal, as
Hitler was.
And what few know is that Hitler
wasn't just an ordinary soldier. He was a battlefield courier, bravely
exposing himself to enemy fire, usually volunteering to go on the
field when other couriers were worn out and unable to make the vital
runs that kept the lines of communication open during combat.
On one occasion, the documentary points out, Hitler and a colleague
jumped into the line of fire and actually saved their regimental
commander's life, just barely being wounded themselves. (And, for
the record, Hitler was not only gassed by the British, but he was
also otherwise wounded in combat.)
The film presents a little-known and quite interesting point that
has been otherwise lost to history: the fact that many of Hitler's
fellow soldiers believed that the young corporal had a "sixth
sense" that saved his life (and theirs) many, many times during
battle. Some even speculated that he was "under the protection
of a higher power."
An interesting sidelight includes the story of Hitler's close relationship
with a little terrier dog he named Fuchsel that he found running
loose on the battlefield after its British master had been killed
in battle. The dog was Hitler's constant companion on the field
and when the dog was stolen from the future German leader he was
devastated. "It's essential that a dog should always sleep
beside his master," Hitler was once heard to say, speaking
gently of his little friend, one of many canine pals that the "monster"
adopted over the period of his lifetime.
The video includes interviews with famous Hitler biographer Ian
Kershaw and with those who knew Hitler in his early years, along
with fascinating photographs and period films that supplement this
detailed and fascinating slice of history. A film not to be missed
by those with an interest in real history —
not propaganda .•
Photograph of Hitler and two World War I comrades.
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MICHAEL COLLINS PIPER is a frequent contributor
to THE BARNES REVIEW
and the author of Final Judgment: The Missing
Link in the JFK Assassination Conspiracy ($25),
called the definitive work on the JFK execution. He is also
the author of The New Jerusalem: Zionist Power
in America ($19.95) and The High
Priests of War ($19.95). Order any of these
books from TBR BOOK CLUB by calling 1-877-773-9077 toll
free and charging to Visa or MasterCard. TBR'subscribers
take 10% off book prices. Add $3 per book S&H.
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