Heinrich Hoffmann (1885 – 1957) served as Adolf Hitler’s official photographer from when Hitler took control of the Nazi party in 1921 until his death in 1945. Hoffmann estimates he took over half a million photographs of Hitler over the course of his career. His portraits were the most significant source of Nazi propaganda materials published over the course of close to 25 years, everything from postcards, posters, magazines, postage stamps and picture books. Click on eachtheme below to see a complete photo albumdevoted to that particular event or topic.
Adolf Hitler was really rockin’ these tweed knickerbockers in the mid-1930’s. After all this was the perfect garment for engaging in the strenuous sport and activity of the Bavarian mountains. Even better, by this time in the early 20th century, knickerbockers were no longer just worn as sportswear, as the style had became quite fashionable as regular menswear and was often worn on a daily basis. Therefore many of these photos also include Hitler just going about his everyday tasks around the Berghof, even when it was time to just kick back and relax.
Chancellor of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler during a winter walk at the Obersalzberg on 29 December 1936.Adolf Hitler hiking on the Hoher Göll mountain in the Berchtesgaden Alps dated 15 February 1938.Adolf Hitler sharing Eintopf with Julius Schaub, Sophie Stork, Karl Brandt, Wilhelm Brueckner, and Erna Hoffmann on January 15, 1935. Eintopf (meaning ‘one pot’) is a traditional German stew of lentils, vegetables, and smoked sausages. In October 1933 Hitler had initiated the Eintopfsonntag campaign—a Nazi push to make German families eat these thrifty one-pot meals. The money saved eating these inexpensive stews was to then be donated to the Winterhilfswerk annual charity drive.Adolf Hitler warming up by the kachelofen in the living room at Haus Wachenfeld. These traditional and efficient German wood-burning stoves were also installed in several other rooms when Haus Wachenfeld was renovated and enlarged into the Berghof.Adolf Hitler sitting in front of the Kachelofen (a typical German tile covered stove) in the living room of Haus Wachenfeld. Kachelöfen (tile stoves) warm rooms more efficiently and cleanly than metal-based wood-burning stoves.Adolf Hitler warming up by the kachelofen in the living room at Haus Wachenfeld with Julius Schreck and Eva Braun in 1935.Adolf Hitler warming up by the kachelofen in the living room at Haus Wachenfeld with Julius Schreck in 1935.Adolf Hitler with Karl Brandt in the Wintergarten of Haus Wachenfeld on 15 January 1935. Trained as a surgeon, Brandt became Adolf Hitler’s “escort doctor” in August of 1934. He was later selected by Philipp Bouhler, the head of Hitler’s Chancellery, to administer the Aktion T4 euthanasia program. As members of Hitler’s inner circle, Brandt and his wife Anni had a residence near the Berghof and spent considerable time there when Hitler was present.Heinrich Hoffmann postcard ‘Winter auf Obersalzberg’ showing Adolf Hitler out hiking near the Berghof in 1935.Adolf Hitler out on a walk with his German Shepherd Muckl near his home in Berchtesgaden. Hitler owned ‘Muck’ from 1928 until January of 1935, when he claimed that he was poisoned by Communists.Adolf Hitler strolling past his Bavarian chalet in Berchtesgaden in 1935.Chancellor of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler during a walk in the Berchtesgaden area in 1935.Adolf Hitler listens to the results of the 1935 Saar elections on the radio. The Saar valley was a rich industrial region taken away from Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. A vote was held on January 13, 1935 whether to return to Germany, be annexed to France or to continue under the rule of the League of Nations. In the background hangs a picture of former Reich President Paul von Hindenburg.In the January 13, 1935 Saarland referendum, voters were asked whether the Saar should remain under League of Nations administration, return to Germany or become part of France. To the surprise of neutral observers as well as the Nazis themselves, over 90% voted in favor of reuniting with Germany.Münchner Illustrierte Presse – Adolf Hitler, Saar-Abstimmung (12. Jahrgang, Nummer 4 vom 24. Januar 1935)Adolf Hitler thrilled at the news that the January 13, 1935 plebiscite in the Saarland came in with a more than 90 percent majority, returning that territory to Germany. Adolf Hitler in civilian clothes gives a radio speech after the referendum in Saarland on January 15, 1935.Adolf Hitler reads a letter in the dining room of his country house “Wachenfeld” on Obersalzberg in 1934.Adolf Hitler relaxing in the Winter Room at Haus Wachenfeld at Christmastime, December 1934. Adolf Hitler relaxing in the Winter Room and reading a newspaper at Haus Wachenfeld at Christmastime, December 1934. Adolf Hitler greets two young women while out on a hike near his Obersalzberg home in 1934.Adolf Hitler hiking in the snow with his German Shepherd Muckl near his home in Berchtesgaden in 1934.Photo from Heinrich Hoffmann’s book ‘Hitler in seinen Bergen‘ showing Adolf Hitler taking in a view of the Bavarian Alps.
Be sure to visit the Hitler in His Mountains album to see even more photos from Heinrich Hoffmann’s book ‘Hitler in seinen Bergen‘.
I love history and have always been infatuated with the design and style of the 1920’s. Unfortunately I can’t time travel back to this era, so I live vicariously through books, movies and photos.
Heinrich Hoffmann Photo Gallery 