Endgame on Hitler's Mountain - Obersalzberg, May 1945

On 20 April 1945, with Soviet forces closing on Berlin, about half of Hitler's closest staff were evacuated by plane to Obersalzberg, his special Bavarian mountain village. In the period between their arrival and the region's capture by US troops, the Nazi regime collapsed. But what happened at the luxurious mountain hideaway? What happened to Hitler's huge house and his staff still living in it?

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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress

[sheriffarchon]

You know it's a good day when Mark Felton uploads.

[davidgriffith]

Genuinely the best history channel there is. Not political, not judgemental, just factual and the more interesting for it.

[chartreux]

As a German Historian who grew up and lives in Berchtesgaden and in fact has worked on the "Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg" (Documentation Center Obersalzberg) which anyone can visit, i'm naturally fascinated with everything related to the Obersazlberg, Kehlsteinhaus and of course all the former Buildings that are now Ruins or completely gone.
In fact, there are still Families here who used Statues, Stones and even Furniture from those Places inside their Homes or Restaurants. Because after the War there naturally was a Lack of those Items so People took what they could. And i'm glad they did because they're all important Pieces of History and basically prevented them from getting destroyed.
Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

[jimcoop]

@ Dr.Mark Felton
I'm a US retiree. We are grateful 🙏 for your work. Your releases are the highlight of my week. Thank you and God bless.

[Czechbound]

How the chauffeur got out of Berlin and all the way down south is probably worthy of a movie in itself

[MaxHohenstaufen]

I'm not sure if I'm more impressed about the fact that a single individual makes such amazing content, or that big media companies are so far behind when it comes to make such quality content. To me, personally, this is the beauty of youtube, you can find the very best of the best unpretentiously.

[anthonybendl]

Just when you think you have read or seen it all, Dr. Felton adds more to the story. Fascinating as usual.

[markjohnstone]

My grandfather was an infantry Captain during WW2 in the US 100th Division. After the fighting was over, he visited the wrecked Berghof during occupation. He brought back a piece of slightly melted glass he had picked up off the floor in the room where the big retractable window had been. I still have that piece of glass.

[indigocheetah]

As an Australian ; I have always been interested in the wars in Europe. As both of my Grandfathers served in both world war, ( not at the same time ).. During a holiday in Austria, we went by bus and the tour bus driver said, up in the mountain is 'Eagle's Nest ', as the bus drove past below.
Thank you, Dr. Felton, for your tireless research in producing the videos.

[MrJoeGarner]

I visited Obersalzberg in1990. Walked through some of the tunnels. For me, it was the pinnacle of my time in Germany. This was a very informative video. Thanks, Mark!

[andream]

I study and write articles about the Third Reich and WW2 since 20 years and I would like to say that the video of this channel are top class.

[WolfoftheWoodsAirsoft]

This keeps the history of WW2 alive as it sits on the very edge of living history.

[martinblunden]

My grandfather was part of the control commission, under the four occupying powers, and was based in the obersalzberg region in 1947, sadly we lost all his diaries and photos in a house fire, but I recall looking through his albums with my grannies as a kid.i also visited years later when I was stationed in Germany.

[JT-yzrj]

The greatest YouTube historian that has ever been. Quite literally the only channel I’ve ever actually considered donating to

[tonymcdonnly]

Thank you, Dr. Felton for sharing your vast knowledge of these forgotten historical facts. You and your channel preserves WWII history.

[nodarkthings]

Dr. Felton, thank you for once again shedding light on this absolutely fascinating and tumultuous period of history.

[SuperSmokerschoice]

My evening is saved ! A new smashing upload from Mark Felton! Thank you for the time, and efford you put in these videos. Greatings from Denmark

[christinepietropaolo]

My dad was in the 83rd Infantry during the war and I have a picture of him sitting on the blown out window. I also have a picture of him standing next to a handwritten sign which said “Hitler doesn’t live here anymore”. The G.I.s took turns taking photos next to it.

[GeistView]

Got to visit the Berghoff in 95 as a Single Soldier doing a retreat at the Gen Walker hotel. Then the garage at the Berghoff was still "intact" you could still climb inside. The guest house was still there but very much just a shell of what it once was. The 2nd floor was pretty much collapsed in on the 1st. The bathrooms were still intact minus the fitting. I still have 2 pieces of green tile from both bathrooms in storage.

[TRAjim]

What’s really amazing to me is in this, and the other videos regarding Hitlers staff, is the number of plane trips that were taken in the closing days. One would think that the airspace over Germany in 1945 would have been crawling with Allied fighters.