Kehlsteinhaus
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The Kehlsteinhaus is a chalet-style building, which used to be an extension of the Obersalzberg complex built by the Nazis in the German Alps near Berchtesgaden.
The Kehlsteinhaus, also known as "Hitler's Tea House" or the Eagle's Nest, was built as a 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler. The Eagle's Nest was meant to be a retreat for Hitler and a place for him to entertain visiting dignitaries (which he almost never did here). It was commissioned by Martin Bormann, with construction proceeding over a 13-month period prior to its formal presentation to Hitler in 1939. It is situated on a ridge at the top of the Kehlstein mountain (1835 m), reached by a spectacular 6.5 km (3.9 mile) road which cost 30 million Reichsmark to build (ca. 150 million euros). The last 124 metres up to the Kehlsteinhaus are served by an elevator bored inside the mountain, reached via a granite tunnel; the elevator itself is surfaced with polished brass. The surprisingly plain main reception room is dominated by a fireplace of red Italian marble, presented by Mussolini. Much of the furniture (used without the designer's consent) was designed by Paul Laszlo, who had to flee the Holocaust.
Although the site is on the same mountain as the Berghof, Hitler rarely visited the property as he was afraid of heights. Other theories offered were that due to problems with his ears caused by shelling during his World War I service, he suffered migraines and other balance problems whilst at the higher altitude of the Kehlsteinhaus. It has been suggested he only visited the Kehlsteinhaus around 10 times, and most times for no more than 30 minutes. It was perhaps because of this lack of close association with Hitler, the property was saved from demolition at the end of the war. It was subsequently used by the Allies as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria.
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[edit] Allied capture
The HBO mini-series Band of Brothers, drawing from Stephen E. Ambrose's book of the same name,[1] depicts the Kehlsteinhaus being taken by troops from E company (or Easy Company) of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division without a shot being fired. Several other groups, however, have competing claims. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe and later President of the United States, wrote that the U.S. Army's Third Infantry Division was the first to take the Eagle's Nest.[2] General Maxwell D. Taylor, former Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division, stated the same.[3] Other groups claiming to be first there include the French 9th Armoured Company, and the 1st battalion of the 506th regiment, led by C company. However, the Kehlsteinhaus' museum states that it was, in fact, captured by a member unit of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division and includes a picture of the unit's shoulder sleeve insignia.
According to a local guide the Kehlsteinhaus was to be the aiming point of an RAF bombing raid on April 25, 1945. However the small house proved an elusive target and the Berghof area was targeted instead and severely damaged. Several anti-aircraft positions, the base plate of one of which is still discernable, were present about 100 meters further up the ridge behind the Kehlsteinhaus.
[edit] Current use
Today the building is owned by a charitable trust, and serves as a restaurant. It is a popular tourist attraction, particularly for Britons and Americans attracted by the historical significance of the "Eagle's Nest". The house can be reached on foot (two hours of walking), or by bus.
After the return of the Kehlsteinhaus to German hands, an information center was built on the foot of the hill to remind the public of the cruelty of Hitler's regime. The Kehlsteinhaus itself does not mention much about its past.
As late as August 2000, informal tours of Kehlsteinhaus were offered by a local guide to foreigners arriving by local bus at the lower elevator station. The tour was offered only in English, and this was apparently a requirement as previous trouble with neo-Nazis and post-war Nazi sympathizers prohibited it being offered in German.
The lower rooms, with spectacular views out plate-glass windows, are not part of the restaurant but can be visited with a guide. Graffiti left by allied troops is still clearly visible in the surrounding woodwork. Hitler's small study is now a store room for the cafeteria.
[edit] References
- ^ Stephen E. Ambrose, Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne - From Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest 272-275 (1992)
- ^ Dwight D. Eisenhower, Crusade in Europe 418 (1948) (The exact quote from page 418 reads "On May 4 the 3d division of the same corps captured Berchtesgaden." The corps mentioned was the US XV Corps. The term "Eagle's Nest" is not in the quote nor the paragraph that mentions the capture of Berchtesgaden.
- ^ Maxwell D. Taylor, Swords and Plowshares 106 (1972)
