Hans Hermann Junge

Hans Hermann Junge
Born 11 February 1914
Preetz, Holstein, Imperial Germany
Died 13 August 1944 (aged 30)
Dreux, France
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch Waffen-SS
Years of service 1933–1944
Rank Obersturmführer
Unit 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler; Führerbegleitkommando; 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend
Battles/wars

World War II

Hans Hermann Junge (11 February 1914– 13 August 1944[1]) born in Preetz / Holstein was a German SS officer who served as aide-de-camp and valet to Adolf Hitler.[2]

Biography

Junge was born in Wilster in Schleswig-Holstein Province. He joined the Schutzstaffel (SS) in 1933. In 1934 he volunteered for the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, and on 1 July 1936 he joined the Führerbegleitkommando which provided security protection for Hitler. In 1940 Junge became a valet and orderly to Hitler and met Traudl Humps, who was Hitler's last private secretary. Junge was considered Hitler's second valet after Heinz Linge.[3] Junge worked as a valet in the Reich Chancellery in Berlin and at Hitler's residence near Berchtesgaden. According to Traudl, although they were called valets, the two men were really managers of Hitler's household. They accompanied him wherever he went and were in charge of Hitler's daily routine; including awaking him, providing newspapers and messages, determining the daily menu/meals and wardrobe. Linge and Junge would trade shifts every two days.[4]

At Hitler's encouragement, Junge and Humps got married on 19 June 1943. On 14 July 1943, he joined the Waffen-SS. About Junge's going to the front, his wife Traudl wrote in her memoirs:[5]

“ ... He was one of the few people to realise that in the long run, Hitler's ideas would have such an effect on you that in the end you would not know what you had thought of yourself, and what was due to outside influence. Junge wanted his sense of objectivity back. He had applied several times to go to the front, which was the only way he could give up his job with Hitler. ... ”

The following year he died in combat as an SS-Obersturmführer (first lieutenant) in a low flying aircraft attack in Dreux, France. According to Lehmann and Carroll, "Hitler had liked Hans Junge and was so upset by his death that he broke the news to [Traudl Junge] personally."[2] Traudl confirmed this and further stated that Hitler asked her to stay on as his secretary. He promised to "look after" Traudl now that she was a widow.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Some sources give date of death as 18 August 1944.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lehmann, Armin Dieter; Carroll, Tim (2005). In Hitler's Bunker: A Boy Soldier's Eyewitness Account of the Fuhrer's Last Days, Globe Pequot. ISBN 978-1-59228-578-5.
  3. ↑ Hamilton, Charles (1984). Leaders and Personalities of the Third Reich: Their Biographies, Portraits, and Autographs., R. James Bender Publishing, p. 155. ISBN 978-0-912138-27-5.
  4. ↑ Galante, Pierre; Silianoff, Eugene (1989). Voices From the Bunker, G. P. Putnam's Sons, p. 39. ISBN 978-0-3991-3404-3.
  5. ↑ Junge, Traudl (2002). Until the Final Hour, (English edition) London. ISBN 0-297-84720-1.
  6. ↑ Galante, Pierre; Silianoff, Eugene (1989). Voices From the Bunker, pp. 124–125.

See also