Hermann Fegelein (original) (raw)
Hermann Fegelein was born in Ansbach, Bavaria, on 30th October, 1906. As a young man he worked on his father's equestrian school in Munich, he became proficient in riding skills and participated in jumping events. During this period he met Christian Weber, an original member of the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). Weber later sponsored Fegelein for entry into the Schutzstaffel (SS).
According to his biographer, Louis L. Snyder: "Typical of the men who rose to prominence during the Nazi regime, he started his career as an unknown, almost-illiterate groom and then became a jockey. In this capacity he had the good fortune to meet Christian Weber, a horse fancier and an old comrade of Hitler's who had amassed a huge fortune through questionable means by contacts in the Nazi Party. With Weber as his patron, Fegelein rose to a high level in the Nazi hierarchy."
Peter Padfield, the author of Himmler: Reichsfuhrer S.S. (1991), points out that Fegelein impressed Heinrich Himmler and he became one of his favourites. In 1934 Fegelein was appointed as head of the Reiter-SS, a mounted cavalry brigade. Fegelein oversaw the preparation of the courses and facilities for the equestrian events of the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936. The following year Himmler appointed Fegelein the head of the Haupt-Reitschule München in Munich.
In September 1939, Fegelein was placed in command of the SS Totenkopf Reiterstandarte (Deaths-Head Horse Regiment) that took part in the invasion of Poland. Based in Warsaw Fegelin's unit dealt with the resistance movement. According to Michael D. Miller, the author of Leaders of the SS and German Police (2002), on 7th December, 1939, Fegelein's regiment was involved in the mass shooting of 1,700 people in the Kampinos Forest.
On 9th March 1940, Himmler received information from the Gestapo alleging that Fegelein had sent goods looted in Poland back to SS cavalry school in Riem, from where many items had found their way to members' homes. A search of the school had disclosed "a lorry, a six-cylinder Mercedes trimmed in black, another in dark brown, a two-seater Stoda cabriolet, 50 lb of coffee, fourteen packets of cocoa, a chest of tea, two chests of chocolate, clothes, fur and other goods". Fegelein told Himmler that he was the victim of a persecution campaign by Karl von Eberstein.
Hermann Fegelein
Fegelein took part in Operation Barbarossa and in July 1941 Himmler assigned Fegelein's regiment to round up and exterminate Jews, partisans, and civilians in Belarusia. According to the author of Leaders of the SS and German Police (2002) Fegelein's unit initially killed 13,788 Jews and in August another 3,500 men were murdered. Himmler rewarded Fegelein by promoting him to the rank of SS-Oberfuehrer (brigadier general).
Fegelein was wounded by snipers in the Red Army on 21st December 1941. After making a full recovery he was appointed commander of the 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer and returned to service on the Eastern Front. After being wounded again on 30th October 1943, he was sent him to the Führer's headquarters to act as liaison officer for Himmler. Hitler's valet, Heinz Linge, argued: "Hermann Fegelein, Himmler's SS liaison officer to the Führer.. the highly decorated leader of a frontline SS cavalry division... was well protected in the circle around Hitler, to whom he was attracted as a moth to the light."
Traudl Junge, Hitler's secretary, later commented that Fegelein was very popular with the women at headquarters. "Hermann Fegelein was the daring cavalryman type. He had a very large nose, and wore the Knight's Cross with oak leaves and swords. No wonder he was used to women flocking around him. In addition he had a refreshing, sometimes very dry wit, and never minced his words. You felt he was a naturally frank and honest person. That helped him to forge a remarkable career quickly and unexpectedly. No sooner had he appeared than he was sitting with us at table in the Berghof. He went to Bormann's nocturnal parties, drank to the health of all the important men there, and all the women were at his feet. Those who were not his friends were his enemies until he was firmly in the saddle. He was clever but ruthless, and had some very attractive qualities, such as the honesty with which he admitted that at heart he was a terrible coward, and had won his decorations doing heroic deeds out of pure fear. He also frankly admitted that nothing was as important to him as his career and a good life."
Christa Schroeder was another of Hitler's secretaries who found Hermann Fegelein attractive and admitted that "he was a recognised heroic figure for women". According to Schroeder, so did Eva Braun. She told a mutual friend, Marion Schonmann: "A few years ago the boss (Hitler) said that if I fell in love one day with another man, then I should let him know and he would release me.... If I had known Fegelein ten years ago I would have asked the boss to let me go!" Eventually Fegelein married Eva's sister, Gretl Braun. Schroeder claims that the marriage on 3rd June 1944, was arranged by Eva: "Greta Braun was, as one would say today, sexy, and Fegelein might have been thinking of the advantages of one day being Hitler's brother-in-law. Thus the marriage took place and was celebrated as a great occasion on the Obersalzberg and in the tea-house on the Kehlstein."
Gretl Braun and Hermann Fegelein in June 1944
Traudl Junge complained that he was guilty of trying to seduce the secretaries. According to Christa Schroeder, he had a very close relationship with Eva Braun. "Hermann Fegelein was frequently amongst those who danced with Eva Braun. Today I can recall clearly the unforgettable scene. After a dance Fegelein would lift Eva chest high. At eye level they would gaze at each other full of tenderness and loving: Eva was obviously strongly attracted to Fegelein. I am convinced that her feelings for him went well beyond those feelings for a brother-in-law, but I do not believe anything went on between them."
Albert Speer called him "one of the most disgusting people in Hitler's circle." He was also disliked by Heinz Linge: "With charm and presents he inveigled himself into everybody's good books and gave the impression of having a particular standing with Hitler which was not the case, for Hitler... treated him formally and kept him emphatically at arm's length.... Fegelein... who came to regard his duties as a paid pastime and too often let it be known that he thought himself too good for the job."
Claus von Stauffenberg decided on try and kill Hitler during a conference attended by Hitler on 20th July, 1944. Stauffenberg, who had never met Hitler before, carried the bomb in a briefcase and placed it on the floor while he left to make a phone-call. The bomb exploded killing four men in the hut. Hitler's right arm was badly injured but he survived the bomb blast. Fegelein received a minor wound to his left thigh from the bomb blast.
According to Traudl Junge: "Fegelein had been detailed to investigate the assassination attempt and track down the guilty men. He was personally indignant to think of anyone wanting to blow up such a splendid fellow as himself. I think he thought that was more criminal than any plan to get rid of Hitler, and he flung himself into the investigation with the zeal of his desire for revenge. Finally it became obvious even to Hitler that the resistance movement had spread more widely in the army than he had supposed. Distinguished names of men holding high rank were mentioned. He raged and shouted and said a great deal about traitors and scoundrels." It is claimed that Fegelein often showed around the photographs of the hanged men who had been executed as a result of this failed assassination attempt."
Hitler's chauffeur, Erich Kempka, claimed that on 27th April 1945 Hermann Fegelein contacted him with a strange request: "Hermann Fegelein, phoned me to ask if I would put at his disposal two vehicles for a reconnaissance. Moreover he would be grateful if I would do him a personal favour. He wanted me to take care of a briefcase with important files belonging to the Reichsfuhrer-SS and himself. He would hand it to me personally towards ten that evening in the Fuhrer-bunker. It was essential to keep it safe and in the event that the enemy entered the bunker, the briefcase was to be hidden where it could never be found, or should be destroyed. Under no circumstances must it fall into enemy hands. As I had been on familiar terms with Fegelein for years and he enjoyed Hitler's fullest confidence as Eva Braun's brother-in-law, I had no hesitation in agreeing to his request. I had really no idea at that moment that my willingness to be of assistance to him was putting my own life in danger. A short while afterwards Fegelein left the Reich Chancellery with two vehicles I had had repaired. They were the last survivors to remain serviceable from my once great vehicle fleet. To my great surprise the two automobiles were returned thirty minutes later, although without Fegelein. The drivers told me that he had got out in the Kurfurstendamm district to proceed on foot."
When it was discovered that Fegelein had gone missing the Gestapo was sent out to find him. Heinz Linge recalled that "Fegelein's adjutant reported back to the bunker, he stated that Fegelein had gone to his private flat and dressed in civilian clothing. The adjutant had been ordered to do the same." He told Hitler that the purpose of this being "to allow the Russians to roll over us and then we will make our way through to Himmler". Hitler came to the conclusion that Fegelein was involved in some sort conspiracy against him.
On 27th April 1945, Fegelein was arrested with his mistress in his apartment. SS-Obersturmbannführer Peter Högl discovered him with a great deal of money and discovered that he was just about to leave the country. Högl also found a briefcase containing documents with evidence of an attempted peace negotiation with the Allies. The following day the negotiations that were taking place between Himmler and Count Folke Bernadotte were leaked to the press. Hanna Reitsch was with Hitler when he heard the news: "His colour rose to a heated red and his face was unrecognizable... After the lengthy outburst, Hitler sank into a stupor, and for a time the entire bunker was silent."
According to Heinz Linge: "Fegelein was returned under armed guard he made a poor impression: wearing gloves, a leather coat and a sporty hat he looked like a Kurfurstendamm dandy. On Hitler's order he was arraigned immediately before a court-martial and sentenced to death for treason. Eva Braun, though clearly fighting an internal struggle, would not enter a plea for mercy for her brother-in-law even though Hitler indicated that he would commute the sentence on the highly decorated SS-0bergruppenfuhrer to 'atonement at the front'. Towards midnight an SS squad awaited Fegelein in the Reich Chancellery Ehrenhof. He remained impassive as the sentence of the court martial was read out."
Traudl Junge has argued that Eva Braun had asked Hitler to spare Fegelein as his wife and her sister, was heavily pregnant: "I don't know just where I was when the news reached Hitler. He may have ranted and raged one last time, but when I saw him again he was as calm as before. Only Eva Braun's eyes were red with weeping, because her brother-in-law was condemned to death.... She had tried to explain to Hitler that it was only human nature for Fegelein to think of his wife and their child, and try to help them get through to a new life. But Hitler was implacable. All he saw was deceit and treachery."
Hermann Fegelein was executed on 28th April 1945.
Primary Sources
(1) Heinz Linge, With Hitler to the End (1980)
Hermann Fegelein, Himmler's SS liaison officer to the Fuhrer... the highly decorated leader of a frontline SS cavalry division... was well protected in the circle around Hitler, to whom he was attracted as a moth to the light. With charm and presents he inveigled himself into everybody's good books and gave the impression of having a particular standing with Hitler which was not the case, for Hitler... treated him formally and kept him emphatically at arm's length.... Fegelein... who came to regard his duties as a paid pastime and too often let it be known that he thought himself too good for the job.
(2) Traudl Junge, To The Last Hour: Hitler's Last Secretary (2002)
A new face had appeared in Hitler's circle, that of Gruppenfuhrer Fegelein. He acted as liaison officer between Himmler and Hitler and was on Hitler's staff. At first you only saw him arriving for the military briefings, but soon he made friends with Reichsleiter Bormann, and before long he was setting the tone at the Berghof.
Hermann Fegelein was the daring cavalryman type. He had a very large nose, and wore the Knight's Cross with oak leaves and swords. No wonder he was used to women flocking around him. In addition he had a refreshing, sometimes very dry wit, and never minced his words. You felt he was a naturally frank and honest person. That helped him to forge a remarkable career quickly and unexpectedly. No sooner had he appeared than he was sitting with us at table in the Berghof. He went to Bormann's nocturnal parties, drank to the health of all the important men there, and all the women were at his feet. Those who were not his friends were his enemies until he was firmly in the saddle. He was clever but ruthless, and had some very attractive qualities, such as the honesty with which he admitted that at heart he was a terrible coward, and had won his decorations doing heroic deeds out of pure fear. He also frankly admitted that nothing was as important to him as his career and a good life.
Unfortunately differences of opinion and intrigues surfaced in Hitler's entourage soon after he had joined us. Fegelein, who was an entertaining, sociable person, soon attracted the attention of Eva Braun and her sister Uretl. The latter in particular was the object of handsome Hermann's attentions. It's true that before he knew she was Eva's sister he had said, "What a silly goose!" But he was quick to change his mind in view of her family connections. Everyone was surprised when Fegelein's engagement to Gretl Braun was announced. It reinforced Fegelein's position personally too. Hewel the liaison officer, who had married now himself and was at present in hospital, injured, after his plane accident, was the only man to have a good enough personal relationship with Hitler to be an obstacle in Fegelein's way. So Fegelein used Hewel's absence to slander him to Hitler, and he succeeded. Hewel, who couldn't defend himself, fell into disfavour, and Hitler refused even to meet his wife.
(3) Christa Schroeder, He Was My Chief: The Memoirs of Adolf Hitler's Secretary (1985)
When Hermann Fegelein, Waffen-SS liaison officer to Hitler at FHQ, was on duty for the first time at the Berghof, he asked Marion Schonmann how he could arrange to he invited for lunch. That was at the beginning of 1944, when he arrived in Obersalzberg with Himmler. Marion introduced Fegelein to Eva Braun and he obtained his lunch invitation through her. After Fegelein had left the Berghof she confided to Marion Schonmann that Fegelein had made a big impression on her and added: "A few years ago the boss said that if I fell in love one day with another man, then I should let him know and he would release me." Now she said to Marion: "If I had known Fegelein ten years ago I would have asked the boss to let me go!" But the problem was to be resolved in another way.
After the failure of various efforts to marry off her younger sister Greta to men in Hitler's wider circle (e.g. to diplomat Hewel, adjutant Darges, minister Wagner), Eva Braun now matched her sister with Fegelein. He was a recognised heroic figure for women. Greta Braun was, as one would say today, sexy, and Fegelein might have been thinking of the advantages of one day being Hitler's brother-in-law. Thus the marriage took place and was celebrated as a great occasion on the Obersalzberg and in the tea-house on the Kehlstein. Eva said: "I would like this marriage to be as wonderful as if it were my own!" And so it was.
Eva expressed her gratitude thus: "I am so grateful to Fegelein for marrying my sister. Now I am somebody, I am the sister-in-law of Fegelein!" Clearly she suffered from the anonymity to which she was condemned. She was never permitted to appear in public, but as Fegelein's sister-in-law there was a basis for her presence in Hitler's circle, and she could now be close to the man who had won her heart.
Against Hitler's wishes Eva came to the Reich Chancellery in February 1945 and moved into her apartment next to Hitler's private rooms. She expressed the wish for music but had no gramophone. I lent her mine which had been in the Voss-Strasse bunker. While Hitler was attending his military conferences we used to play records, drink champagne and quite often dance with off-duty officers. Hermann Fegelein was frequently amongst those who danced with Eva Braun. Today I can recall clearly the unforgettable scene. After a dance Fegelein would lift Eva chest high. At eye level they would gaze at each other full of tenderness and loving: Eva was obviously strongly attracted to Fegelein. I am convinced that her feelings for him went well beyond those feelings for a brother-in-law, but I do not believe anything went on between them.
(4) Traudl Junge, To The Last Hour: Hitler's Last Secretary (2002)
We were sitting together at lunch again; this was the end of August 1944. Hitler's manner to me was very strange. He seemed almost unfriendly. He never said a word to me all through the meal, and when I happened to meet his eyes by chance they bent a serious, questioning gaze on me.
I couldn't imagine what I might have done or how I could have annoyed him. I didn't worry about it any further, and thought he was probably just in a bad mood.
That same day Hermann Fegelein (Liaison officer of the Waffen SS) phoned me. "Can I come and have coffee with you this afternoon?" he asked. I wondered why he suddenly wanted to come and see me, he'd never done that before, but I said yes. Coffee time came and went but Fegelein didn't turn up. Finally the phone rang again. He said the briefing had gone on a long time and now he had to get some work done, but could I just drop in on him for a moment? All right, I thought, I might as well take my dog for a walk, and I set off for Fegelein's new hut, the last building in the headquarters complex. Fegelein greeted me.
"Hello, nice of you to come, would you like a schnapps?' Goodness me, I thought, what's he after? I'd assumed he had something he wanted to discuss with me. "No," I said, "I don't want a schnapps at the moment, but you were going to come and have coffee with me, weren't you? What's up? I mean, why are you doing me this honour although you know I'm faithful to my husband?" Then he came over to me, put his arms round me in a paternal way and said, "I'd better tell you straight out. Your husband has fallen." The Führer has known since yesterday, but he wanted to wait for confirmation, and then he found he couldn't tell you himself. If you're in any kind of trouble come and see me, I'll always help you." With these words he let me go and poured me a schnapps after all, and now I did drink it. For the moment I couldn't think at all, and Fegelein gave me no time for it. He went on talking, and as if from a great distance I heard him saving what "a terrible mess", everything was, this war and the Bolshevists and absolutely everything, but one day it would all be different... Funny how I still remember that, although I was hardly listening to him.
Suddenly I was out in the open air again. Warm summer rain was falling very gently, and I walked on down the road, out of the camp and over the fresh green meadows, and it was very quiet and lonely. I felt very much alone, and it was all so terribly sad. I got back to my room late. I didn't want to see or hear anyone. I wasn't anxious to hear any condolences and sympathy. Then a call came from the Führer's bunker. "Are you coming to dinner today, Frau Junge?" I said, "No, I won't be there at dinner today." The orderly hung up. But the phone rang again. This time Linge himself was on the line. He said, "The Führer would like a quick word with you all the same, so come on over even if you don't stay for dinner." Finally I thought well, the sooner the better, and then I'll have it behind me.
I was taken into the little room that had once been Fraulein Schroeder's living room. Now it was a temporary study for Hitler. How gloomy and sober the room looked now. Once Linge had closed the door behind me Hitler came towards me without a word. He took both my hands and said, "Oh, child, I'm so sorry. Your husband was a splendid fellow." His voice was very soft and sad. I almost felt sorrier for Hitler than for myself, because it's so difficult to express sympathy. "You must stay with me, and don't worry, I'll always be there to help you!" Suddenly everyone wanted to help me, and I felt like running away.
(2) Traudl Junge, To The Last Hour: Hitler's Last Secretary (2002)
Gruppenfuhrer Fegelein had been detailed to investigate the assassination attempt and track down the guilty men. He was personally indignant to think of anyone wanting to blow up such a splendid fellow as himself. I think he thought that was more criminal than any plan to get rid of Hitler, and he flung himself into the investigation with the zeal of his desire for revenge. Finally it became obvious even to Hitler that the resistance movement had spread more widely in the army than he had supposed. Distinguished names of men holding high rank were mentioned. He raged and shouted and said a great deal about traitors and scoundrels.
(6) Erich Kempka, I Was Hitler's Chauffeur: The Memoirs of Erich Kempka (1951)
At five in the afternoon of 27 April 1945, Himmler's liaison officer to Hitler, SS-Obergruppenfiihrer and General der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein, phoned me to ask if I would put at his disposal two vehicles for a reconnaissance. Moreover he would be grateful if I would do him a personal favour. He wanted me to take care of a briefcase with important files belonging to the Reichsfuhrer-SS and himself. He would hand it to me personally towards ten that evening in the Fuhrer-bunker. It was essential to keep it safe and in the event that the enemy entered the bunker, the briefcase was to be hidden where it could never be found, or should be destroyed. Under no circumstances must it fall into enemy hands.
As I had been on familiar terms with Fegelein for years and he enjoyed Hitler's fullest confidence as Eva Braun's brother-in-law, I had no hesitation in agreeing to his request. I had really no idea at that moment that my willingness to be of assistance to him was putting my own life in danger. A short while afterwards Fegelein left the Reich Chancellery with two vehicles I had had repaired. They were the last survivors to remain serviceable from my once great vehicle fleet. To my great surprise the two automobiles were returned thirty minutes later, although without Fegelein. The drivers told me that he had got out in the Kurfurstendamm district to proceed on foot. He had left the Reich Chancellery in his Waffen-SS general's uniform.
(7) Heinz Linge, With Hitler to the End (1980)
Hitler, already infuriated and crestfallen at the Reuters report he had just received about Himmler's attempt to negotiate peace with the Western Allies, suspected "treasonable circumstances". "Where is Fegelein?" roared Bormann, "Where is the guy?" SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer Kempka, Hitler's driver, replied that on Fegelein's orders he had released to him the last two service vehicles at the Reich Chancellery "for a service task". These vehicles had returned, but without Fegelein, who had placed himself near the Kurfurstendamm for some kind of "information-gathering exercise". When Fegelein's adjutant reported back to the bunker, he stated that Fegelein had gone to his private flat and dressed in civilian clothing. The adjutant had been ordered to do the same, the purpose of this being "to allow the Russians to roll over us and then we will make our way through to Himmler". The adjutant had not been prepared to go along with the idea. For Bormann, Hitler, and everybody else it was clear: Fegelein was a coward and traitor who was fleeing before the enemy. Disguised as a civilian, he had attempted to sneak away even though he was not just an SS-general but also Eva Braun's brother-in-law. On 27th April the RSD went to his flat and found him with a woman. She was not Eva Braun's sister Gretl, his wife, but an unknown female. With 100,000 KM, gold and jewellery ready packed, he had been hoping to leave Berlin unnoticed after failing to convince Eva Braun in a telephone conversation the previous day that she should also leave the Reich capital as soon as she could.
Returned under armed guard he made a poor impression: wearing gloves, a leather coat and a sporty hat he looked like a Kurfurstendamm "dandy". On Hitler's order he was arraigned immediately before a court-martial and sentenced to death for treason. Eva Braun, though clearly fighting an internal struggle, would not enter a plea for mercy for her brother-in-law even though Hitler indicated that he would commute the sentence on the highly decorated SS-0bergruppenfuhrer to "atonement at the front". Towards midnight an SS squad awaited Fegelein in the Reich Chancellery Ehrenhof. He remained impassive as the sentence of the court martial was read out.
Soon after the execution Hitler called me into his study. After I had entered and reported myself in military fashion he said without any preamble: "I would like to release you to your family." I now did something I had never done before by interrupting him to declare: "Mein Fuhrer, I have been with you in good times, and I am staying with you also in the bad." Hitler looked at me calmly and said only: "I did not expect anything else from you." Then, standing at his writing desk, he went on: "I have another personal job for you. What I must do now is what I have ordered every commander at every redoubt to do: hold out to the death. This order is also binding on myself, since I feel that I am here as the commandant of Berlin. You should hold in readiness woollen blankets in my bedroom and enough petrol for two cremations. I am going to shoot myself here together with Eva Braun. You will wrap our bodies in woollen blankets, carry them up to the garden, and there burn them." I stood paralysed. "Jawohl, mein Fuhrer,' I stuttered, trembling. I could find nothing else to say.
(8) Traudl Junge, To The Last Hour: Hitler's Last Secretary (2002)
I play with the Goebbels children, read them fairy-tales, play forfeits with them and try to shield them from all the horrors. Their mother hardly has the strength to talk to them any more. At night they sleep peacefully in their six little beds, while the waiting in the bunker goes on and our doom comes closer and closer.
The last crushing blow falls on Hitler on 28 April. He still hasn't decided what is to be done with Hermann Fegelein, who he feels has let him down and betrayed him, when Heinz Lorenz of the press office brings him alarming news: according to a Reuter's report, SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler has been conducting negotiations with the Allies through Count Bernadotte.
I don't know just where I was when the news reached Hitler. He may have ranted and raged one last time, but when I saw him again he was as calm as before. Only Eva Braun's eyes were red with weeping, because her brother-in-law was condemned to death. He had been shot like a dog in the park of the Foreign Office, under the blossoming trees and near the sweet bronze statue of the girl. She had tried to explain to Hitler that it was only human nature for Fegelein to think of his wife and their child, and try to help them get through to a new life. But Hitler was implacable. All he saw was deceit and treachery. His "faithful Heinrich", whom he had taken for a rock of loyalty in the middle of the sea of weakness and deceit, had gone behind his back too. Suddenly Fegelein's actions took on another aspect: he had been part of a conspiracy. Hitler imagined terrible things about Himmler's intentions. Perhaps Himmler meant to assassinate him? Hand him over to the enemy alive? By now he not only distrusted everyone from Himmler's entourage still here with him, he even distrusted the poison that Himmler had given him. Dr Stumpfegger, who was with us in the bunker looking pale and thin, was more silent than ever. Hitler suspected him too.
So Professor Haase was brought over from the operating bunker in the New Reich Chancellery. We saw the Fuhrer speak to him, give him one of the poison capsules, and then go with him to the little place at the entrance to the lavatories where Blondi and her puppies were kept. The doctor bent over the dog, a little waft of the bitter-almond scent reached us, and Blondi didn't move again. Hitler came back. His face looked like his own death mask. Without a word he shut himself in his room. Himmler's poison could be relied on!
(9) Erich Kempka, I Was Hitler's Chauffeur: The Memoirs of Erich Kempka (1951)
Eva Braun reminded Hitler of the telephone conversation she had had with her brother-in-law a few hours earlier, and suggested that it might have been the plan of Himmler and Fegelein to deliver Hitler and herself to the Allies. She wanted to leave family relationships out of the matter: justice was justice. Without further deliberation, Hitler signed the death warrant, and SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Fegelein was led out immediately to the garden of the Foreign Office by his own SS men for his execution.