I will present my disclaimer for this article immediately out of the gate. One has to be a true student of history to really be able to stomach “Hunting Hitler.” There have actually been more than one report written that suggests that the show is just the latest installment of content that has literally rifled the reputation of The History Channel. The eight-part series that uses new evidence that suggests that it may be possible that Hitler escaped Germany rather than the original story that he died in a bunker. There are people who simply don’t want to hear anything about Hitler, and if you are one of these people, this show is obviously not for you. If you are a student of History and you have an affinity for conspiracy theories and mystery, you will enjoy the narrative. All another tread softly.
1. The Series Derives From More than 700 Pages of FBI Documents
Isn’t it amazing how the FBI seems to have a file on almost anything you can imagine? The documents that serve as the core of this series was classified until 2014. At the very least, the presence of these documents validates the U.S. Government was concerned that Hitler may not have died in that bunker. While there a great deal of information to cover and anatomize, you have to wonder what prompted an entire FBI investigation into Hitler’s whereabouts after he was supposed to be dead.
2. The Show is Light When Considering the Content
While I have my own feelings about this, the fact that this show is often treated with the same triviality as other reality shows, a great deal of the gravity that should be associated with that name and what it represents is lacking. Some might find that this manufactured lightheartedness makes it easier to watch and digest, and for some, this is true. The show examines some ideas that should peak the interest of serious historians, but greater gravity should be applied to the examination.
3. It is More Escapism than Anything
While I have already made the point that the presence of these documents are evidence that at some point the United States intelligence agencies believed that there was a chance that Adolf Hitler could still be alive after his death had been reported, the fact that the government has now declassified these documents suggests that they are convinced that the German Dictator was not alive. For a true investigator, it is clear that the show interpolates a lot of speculation, but it does provide its viewers with some valid questions that might ignite their own research.
4. This is a Real Investigation
One thing that you are constantly reminded of during this series is that this is not a movie and it is a real investigation. Honestly, it feels more like a movie than a documentary. This does not mean that it does raise significant points and that it is not entertainment. It simply means that the attempt to bring mystery and suspense to serve as entertainment is evident. If you are one for empirical and pragmatic evidence that is unbiased in nature, this may not be for you, but if you are one who likes to engage possibility, you will love it.
5. The U-boat Theory
One of the most interesting theories about how Hitler may have escaped Germany alive involves a theory that there was a U-boat that was smuggling German officers out of the country once it became clear that Germany had fallen. The fascination with Adolf Hitler will likely not subside anytime soon, and the scratching at old scabs is never comfortable so series like these will never come without being followed by controversy.
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Hi Rick,
I found your post interesting. I believe there is a bias or prejudice in America when it comes to the Second World War. I think it stems from the fact that the war was not fought here. Although the Korean War and Viet Nam were also not fought here, I still believe there is a bias. I believe this comes from unintentional ignorance about the war. You see, I grew up in Europe, We had times when we were evacuated from school due to a live shell from the Germans found in our school yard. I am also a historian of World War Two specializing in the European Theatre. My father was a World War Two Historian specializing in the Pacific Theatre. And while I am not as well versed as you are on nutrition and exercise, I hold a Post Doctorate degree and three Masters in my field. I am also a second generation Holocaust survivor, watching my Grandmother and Grandfather deal with the permanent scars of the Nazis.
My father and I locked heads many, many times, but the one thing we did agree on was the suicide of Hitler was a falsehood. I have talked to so many people who believe this also. One of my reasons is the fact that he ran away during his first attempt to take over the German Government. Called the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler as well as Himmler, the architect of the Holocaust, ran away. Hitler ran away in an ambulance. Himmler hid. Once there was the least bit of resistance, Hitler would turn tail, but in my opinion, a man who believes he is slated to rule the world, is not going to commit suicide. it doesn’t make sense.
You were also very close on what you stated about the Allies. In the U.S. the Ford Motor Company provided chassis and under carriage parts for the Third Reich until 1943. The Duke of Windsor was notorious for giving secrets to the Nazis, and France was complicit in the Holocaust.
In closing, I wish to speak as a person, not a historian, and as a Jew. I all of history, there has been NO OTHER RACE that has endured what my people have endured. What we went through in twelve years is an immense tragedy and yet we are told we are liars and that it did not happen. I have seen the films, studied the evidence and I can tell you, it did happen. I wish people were more compassionate, but unfortunately, they seem to be getting worse.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like to. My personal E-Mail is: mom2martyb@gmail.com. Perhaps we could have a dialogue and learn something from each other.
P.S. 107969 is my Uncle’s number. it is actually A-107969. He was a victim of August Hirts disgusting and sickening experiments of the Holocaust. I hope you will look him up.
Nina A. Green, PhD. Oxford