Chapter 45 Chapter 7 In Landsberg Prison (4)

Throughout the summer, Hitler lived comfortably in his "merry flats" as he prepared for new battles.He devoted most of his energy to his writings, looking forward to an early announcement of his release. On September 18, the warden Rebold sent a report to the Bavarian Ministry of Justice that was extremely favorable to Hitler, and his release seemed to be a foregone conclusion.The report stated that during the months of his prison sentence, Hitler "observed strict discipline and order" and "had always been cooperative, modest, and courteous to everyone, especially to the officials of his institution." At the end of the report, Leybold predicted that after his release, Hitler would no longer engage in violent or illegal activities. "There is no doubt that during his imprisonment he has become calmer, more mature and more thoughtful than before. He has not considered actions against the current government."

At first, Rebold's strong demands seemed certain to secure Hitler's release in early autumn.However, the Bavarian State Police reported secretly to the Ministry of the Interior on September 22, proposing to release Hitler on October 1; if he was "accidentally" released, he should be escorted out of the country for safety reasons.Once he is released, riots will inevitably arise from him "because he has energy".The First Division of Criminal Law ignored this suggestion and announced that Hitler could be sworn out of prison.However, the Minister of Justice lodged a complaint on the grounds that the prisoner had brazenly violated the visiting regulations.The appeal was upheld and the release oath was rejected.

Hitler was disappointed, but, as before, he soon overcame his frustration and returned to his book. “From morning till night,” recalls Helmlich, “until late into the night, one could hear the typewriter in his room and the voice dictating to Hess.” Nor did he neglect his Führer responsibilities.On the anniversary of the Munich uprising, he addressed "affectionately" to the political prisoners assembled in the common room.On the one hand, he "takes full responsibility", on the other hand, he explained to them the historical reasons for the failure. "The leader's sincerity and lofty morality deeply moved the audience."

November has passed, but there is still no sign of being released from prison to take oath in the near future.He is as tenacious as ever. At the same time, Goering, one of Hitler's most famous followers, was staying at the Venice Hotel, trying to find a way to borrow a sum of money from Mussolini for emergency needs.Although Goering's body has not recovered from his injuries and he still needs to take heavy doses of medicine, he still does his best to serve the head of state.His contact was one of Mussolini's agents, Leo Nagreri.Goering had corresponded with him, hoping to borrow 2 million lire from the fascists, and obtained Mussolini's promise to meet Hitler as soon as he was released from prison.In return, the National Socialists would openly support Italy's territorial claims south of Tyrol - a move that would lose many followers, especially in Bavaria.

Clearly, the fascist leader doubted that a party that had suffered a disastrous defeat in the study "March to Rome" would be able to repay the loan.Göring's plea turned into a cry. "Once upon a time, fascism was also weak and ridiculed", he argues (correspondence between Goering and Nagreri in 1924-1925 has only recently been discovered, translated into English by Ben E. Sweringen. The obscure Goering career during this period offers new clues and new material on early Nazi-Fascist relations). "People should not believe that the National Socialist Party has no future." In a few years it will be in power.He explained in detail the predicament that must have faced the Nazis by supporting a cause as unpopular as Sudroll's; he also pointed out how Mussolini would gain by spending only two million lire. "For this, you will boast in our newspapers. Besides, the two million lire will be returned within five years at the latest."

A few days later, Goering's demand for money became even more pressing. "It would be really nice if the two greatest national movements got to know each other better ... In a sense, anti-Semitism is international. All countries should be anti-Semites." November slipped by, but Mussolini still refused to commit (probably never lent 2 million lire), and the Führer is still in prison. In mid-December, several comrades were released. "He was repeatedly disappointed about regaining his freedom, but he took it rationally and calmly.""The people who stayed behind were doing their best to prepare for Christmas," recalls Helmlich.

They redecorated the common room and put up a Christmas tree.But the state parliament's efforts to stop Hitler from taking the oath before they could decorate the tree finally came to an end. On December 19, the Bavarian Supreme Court—perhaps influenced by the threat of a public appeal by the three lay judges at Hitler's trial—ordered his immediate release. The news was told by Warden Leibold himself to Hitler.The next afternoon, after more than a year in prison, Hitler bid farewell to his comrades and gave them all the money he had (282 marks).He shook hands with Helmlich goodbye and thanked him for everything he had done for him.Afterwards, he said goodbye to Rebold in tears. "When I left Landsberg," recalled Hitler, "everyone was crying (the warden and other staff) - but I wasn't crying! We all won them over to our cause."

That day, the sky was gloomy.Hitler greeted briefly the two men who had come to take him home—the publisher Adolf Müller and the photographer Hoffmann.Then he stepped easily into the station wagon—the canvas had been put up to keep out the cold.Hoffmann did not take a picture of Hitler as he was not allowed to take pictures in prison.At this time, Hitler asked Hoffmann to take a photo of him, and Hitler took a photo in front of the ancient city gate, because the city gate has the atmosphere of an old castle.Hoffmann asked Hitler what he would do in the future and what he wanted to do. "I started over, from scratch," he said.On the drive to Munich, Hitler, exhilarated (“How happy to be in the car again!”), told Müller to drive faster. "No," Miller replied, "I'm determined to live another 25 years!"

When the car arrived in Pasing, they met a group of Nazis driving motorcycles, so they escorted Hitler into the city.A group of loyal party members has been waiting outside his residence.At the foot of the stairs, Hitler was nearly run over by his hilarious dog.The room is filled with fresh flowers and osmanthus wreaths.Neighbors had brought him a table of food and drink, as well as wine.The cell did not make him feel sorry for himself.He does not regret the years spent in Landsberg, on the contrary, he believes that the prison life has played a decisive role in his development. "When I was in prison, I had only an instinctive understanding of many issues, and the sentence deepened my understanding of these issues. It is during my sentence that I acquired that fearless faith, that optimism, and that confidence in our destiny. .From now on, nothing can shake these things.”

When Hitler left prison, he was tempered by adversity and strengthened in his belief in himself.He has not blushed or been embarrassed by the strife within the party and the apparent setback to its political ambitions.After returning to Munich, he was determined to embark on a new political path.He will never repeat the mistakes of the past.Previously, he was a figurehead, working for a party founded by someone else.From then on, he will be a veritable head of state, aiming at long-term goals, using his own methods, and implementing his own program. His first task was to take stock of the situation.In the December general election, the National Socialist bloc lost more than half of its seats and the number of votes dropped from 1.918 million to 907,000.Also, the Nazi Party was still illegal and could only operate underground.On the positive side, not only was he freed, but his appeal for deportation was canceled by someone who had recently campaigned for his release: Austria's refusal to take Hitler in had no doubt influenced Justice Minister Gurtner.In the eyes of many non-government organizations, after he was released from prison, Hitler was a saint who dared to sacrifice himself for communism. Although his racist movement suffered setbacks in the December election, it was still flourishing.Ironically, this development was born out of that uprising.Many people who had previously wavered between moderates and radicals in the patriotic movement also turned to extremism because of their favorable impression of the aborted uprising.

In a sense, the Nazi party was stronger than before.Although the two factions in the party were deeply divided and were fighting each other, Hitler was confident that he would try to induce them to rise above their differences and become loyal to him.He will be the leader, and his followers will have to equate the goals of the people with his personal political success.Adolf Hitler, the national figure who dared to die, will also become the embodiment of the flag, freedom and racial purity. What was conceived in the quiet and lonely prison cell was very different in the freedom of the unaccustomed Munich.On the night after he was freed, he didn't know what to do. "I have the impression that at any time there is a pat on the shoulder. No matter what I do, I have to ask for leave. The thought still haunts me!" But Hitler was a smart man after all.He understands that only time will restore his "connection with reality".So, he decided to be quiet for a few weeks before completing the task of "making the enemies brothers shake hands and make peace". One of the first steps he took in order to regain a civic peace was to visit the Hanfstangels on Christmas Eve.They have moved to the other side of the Isar River, and the house is much larger than the previous one.It's a lovely neighborhood near Herzog Park, home to famous people like Thomas Mann.After Hitler walked into the piano room, he looked around nervously, and then said almost pleadingly: "Hanfu Stangl, play "Liberstord" for me." After playing the famous piece from "Tristan und Isolde" edited by Liszt, "Hitler began to relax.Helena brought in her newly added daughter, Hulda.Hitler hummed to the baby, then apologized for what had happened at Uffing. "You are the most feudal of my acquaintances," he said, looking around the piano room.Halfway through speaking, he suddenly turned his head and looked back. "I'm sorry," he explained, "what prisons are made of is that whenever and wherever there is always a fucking guard standing behind you watching you." In Landsberg, he explained, someone was always watching through the door opening he. "It's horrible, that! I'm sure they're looking for an excuse to put me in a madhouse. You know, I went on a hunger strike for two weeks. They want to use that as a reason to accuse me of being crazy" (which is probably why he ended his hunger strike) . After dinner, they distributed presents hidden under the candle-lit Christmas tree.Afterwards, Helena, Hitler and 4-year-old Egon sat around the piano.Hanf Stangel played song after song with "Steinway".An "Army March" inspired Hitler.With his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth in the room like a soldier, recalling the scene of the Great War in his mind.He also simulated the battlefield situation for Egon, with the sound of rocket launchers, 75cm caliber cannon and machine guns.Sometimes a single imitation, sometimes all the voices together. Then he talked about politics, which slowly turned into an anti-Semitic tirade.Hanf Stangl believes that his anti-Semitism has acquired a more specific racial flavor.He believed that Wall Street, and indeed all of America, was under Jewish control.Then his thoughts—his words—snap to Landsberg's closest friend. "Ah, my Ludi, my Hesel," Hitler cried affectionately. "How terrible to think of him still there!" Before he left, he and Helena were alone in the piano room for a while.She is sitting on the couch.Suddenly, he fell to his knees and buried his head in her arms. "If only I had someone to take care of me," he said. "Well, that won't work," said Helena.She asked him why he didn't get married. "I'll never marry because I've given myself to my country," she thought, how he acted like a child.On this day, almost 17 years ago, her mother died. "If someone came in at that time, it would be terrible," Helena recalled. "It would humiliate him. He was taking a risk, he was taking a risk. It was over and I pretended nothing happened."