Hans Baur: Difference between revisions
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===Führerbunker and Soviet detention=== |
===Führerbunker and Soviet detention=== |
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During the last days of the war, Baur was with Hitler in his [[Führerbunker]], staying with him until the end. |
During the last days of the war, Baur was with Hitler in his [[Führerbunker]], staying with him until the end. To plan for Hitler's escape from the [[Battle of Berlin]], Baur put in place a plan to use a [[Fieseler Fi 156]] ''Storch'' along an improvised airstrip in the [[Tiergarten]] near the [[Brandenburg Gate]]. |
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Although Hitler refused to leave the Führerbunker, the strip was used by [[Hanna Reitsch]] to fly in Colonel-General [[Robert Ritter von Greim]], appointed by Hiter as head of the Luftwaffe after Goering's treason. Reitsch flew von Greim out on the same road-strip two days later, and Hitler suggested to Baur that he evacuate himself and [[Martin Bormann]] the same way. |
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After Hitler's suicide, Baur found the improvised road-strip too pot holed for use. Baur, along with a few others including Bormann, tried to escape to the American/British lines. During his escape, after losing touch with Bormann, Baur was shot in the leg, so severely that it was later [[amputated]].<ref name="FindaGrave"/> |
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Captured by the Russians in hospital, the Soviets were deeply interested in Baur, thinking he had flown Hitler to safety before the fall of Berlin. He endured ten years of captivity in the USSR before finally being released in 1955. |
Captured by the Russians in hospital, the Soviets were deeply interested in Baur, thinking he had flown Hitler to safety before the fall of Berlin. He endured ten years of captivity in the USSR before finally being released in 1955. |
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Revision as of 13:43, 2 May 2009
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Hans Bauer (SS officer) and Talk:Hans Bauer (SS officer)#Merger proposal. (Discuss) Proposed since January 2009. |
General Hans Baur (June 19, 1897 – February 17, 1993) was German dictator Adolf Hitler's pilot during his political campaigns of the 1920s and 1930s, later his personal pilot and leader of the "Reichsregierung" squadron.[1]
Biography
Johann "Hans" Peter Baur was born in Ampfing in Bavaria.
World War 1
Baur voluntarily joined the Imperial Germany air force in 1915, and during the war claimed 6 victories, with 3 additionally unconfirmed.[2] During one particular flight, the plane experienced engine failure and subsequently started to nose dive, but Baur was able to restart the engine. For his victories, Baur was awarded the Bavarian Medal for Bravery.[3]
Between the wars
Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany had to disband her air force and Baur started flying for commercial airlines like the Bayrische Luftlloyd and Junkers Luftverkehr. In 1926 he became one of Lufthansa Airlines's first six pilots.[3][1]
Hitler was the first politician to politically campaign by air travel, and in light of the combination of his experience (Baur had just flown his millionth kilometre for Lufthansa),[3] and Baur's capability to start his engine which Hitler took as a sign of fate; personally selected Baur to be his official pilot. "Luftwaffe One" was a reliable four engine Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor which was plushed up and called "Immelmann II" after WW1 pilot Max Immelmann.[1]
After Hitler became Führer, he increasingly relied on Baur for advice about air war policy and technical developments. Promoted to the rank of General, Baur became the controller of Hitlers personal air force, at one time running to nearly 50 aircraft. Although Hitler tried to convert Baur to being a vegetarian, for his 40th birthday Hiter invited Baur to the Reich Chancellory for his favourite meal of pork and dumplings, and gave him a Mercedes Benz to replace his personal Ford.
Führerbunker and Soviet detention
During the last days of the war, Baur was with Hitler in his Führerbunker, staying with him until the end. To plan for Hitler's escape from the Battle of Berlin, Baur put in place a plan to use a Fieseler Fi 156 Storch along an improvised airstrip in the Tiergarten near the Brandenburg Gate.
Although Hitler refused to leave the Führerbunker, the strip was used by Hanna Reitsch to fly in Colonel-General Robert Ritter von Greim, appointed by Hiter as head of the Luftwaffe after Goering's treason. Reitsch flew von Greim out on the same road-strip two days later, and Hitler suggested to Baur that he evacuate himself and Martin Bormann the same way.
After Hitler's suicide, Baur found the improvised road-strip too pot holed for use. Baur, along with a few others including Bormann, tried to escape to the American/British lines. During his escape, after losing touch with Bormann, Baur was shot in the leg, so severely that it was later amputated.[1]
Captured by the Russians in hospital, the Soviets were deeply interested in Baur, thinking he had flown Hitler to safety before the fall of Berlin. He endured ten years of captivity in the USSR before finally being released in 1955.
Later life
Baur returned to West Germany, and wrote in 1957 wrote his autobiography "Ich flog mit den Mächtigen der Erde," which liberally translates as "I flew with the mighty [people] of the Earth." The French translation is more softly titled "J'étais pilote de Hitler / le sort du monde était entre mes mains," which translates to "I was Hitler's pilot / the fate of the world was in my hands."
Baur died in Herrsching, Bavaria of old age ailments. He is interred in the family plot in the Westfriedhof in Munich.[1]
Portrayal in the media
Hans Baur has been portrayed by the following actors in film and television productions.
- Karl Held in the 1981 United States television production The Bunker.[4]
- August Schmölzer in the 2004 film Der Untergang.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Gen Hans Peter Baur". findagrave.com. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/baur.php
- ^ a b c "Hans Baur". E.J. Noomen and Androom Software. 2002. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ "The Bunker (1981) (TV)". IMDb.com. Retrieved May 8.
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