Arthur Mitchell writes an interesting book of a place and time that is no more. The Berchtesgaden and Obersalzberg area has held a fascination for many years; mainly being known for the mountain home of Hitler. Mitchell visited the area in 2007 (after the American government had given up their recreation center possessions). He did much research both in Germany and the United States. He includes 15 pages of notes, and an extensive bibliography with web sites. The index however lacks many of the points made in the body of the book; many times I would try to look something up and fail to find it in the index, but then run across it in my reading..
My one suggestion would have been that he make more contact with the servicemen and their families that made use of the buildings and property that were formally under nazi control. They were such a influence in the town and surrounding mountains, and in turn the Obersalzberg and Berchtesgaden left their mark on them. Twenty-five years after the end of the war many of the bunker tunnels were finally reopened and it was incredible to still smell the smoke that was left from burning war documents. The destruction of these bunkers in later years is hardly mentioned.
There were so many fascinating stories of the `cold war' occupation that were skipped over both as a time period and of the GI's and their families dining and dancing in the former SS and nazi property. The General Walker hotel, the former Platterhof and the Berchtesgadener Hof and several other facilities in that particular area were usually filled to capacity with servicemen and their families.
Mitchell gives some background history of Hitler and of Berchtesgaden and Obersalzberg, but the focus is on the time that Hitler occupied the mountain; the details of the Berghof and his visits and life there. There are many black and white photographs interspersed throughout the book. There are numerous descriptions of the allied entry and descriptions of what they found, such as the only thing in Hitler's safe, much to their disappointment were 12 copies of "Mein Kampf", but at least they were autographed, and then their time there immediately at the war's end.
Some interesting insights are made, especially one of Hap Arnold's that they would not bomb the area because they wanted Hitler alive to keep making mistakes. The rumors and the facts of the Alpine Redoubt are covered as well as the step by step advance of the American and Allied forces, including generals that are normally overlooked like Patch and Devers.
One statement that I wish was explained was the "American occupation of southern Germany was both a great success and an unacknowledged failure". It is not a very flattering picture of the occupation forces that is told...even enlisted families living in luxury with 3 servants while Germans faced a grim existence.
This is a fascinating book on a subject that is still of interest but lost for the most part to those who found its' history compelling. It still makes a captivating book to read.
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