Life Inside Hitler’s Berghof – Herbert Döhring’s Eyewitness Account

🆕 Now onlineThe BEGAFILM Shop

📚 Want to learn more about the topics covered in our videos? In the new BEGAFILM Shop, you’ll find selected books and recommended literature to help you dive deeper into history. Many books are also available in multiple languages. Thanks for your support!

Herbert Döhring (* September 29, 1913 in Paaris, Rastenburg District, East Prussia; † December 23, 2001) was a member of the SS and Hitler's house administrator at the Berghof on Obersalzberg from 1935 to 1943.

If you enjoy our historical documentaries, restored footage, and archive-based research, you can support our work here. Every contribution helps us preserve rare historical material, restore old film footage, and continue producing new documentaries.

Thank you for helping keep history alive.

In this interview from 1999, Hitler's former employee describes for the first time in detail how he remembers his time at the Berghof.

Döhring, who died in 2001, was one of the best contemporary witnesses from Hitler's immediate environment due to his extraordinary memory. In this interview he impressively describes his time at Obersalzberg.

After the Nazi Party Conference, Döhring was called to Obersalzberg, where he first worked as a telephone operator/guard in the old Haus Wachenfeld - which at this time was being expanded by the architect Alois Degano into what would later become the Berghof. Then he took over the construction supervision of the extension works. When Hitler was present at Obersalzberg, he stayed in the guest house "Hoher Göll". Finally, Döhring became the caretaker of the generously expanded Berghof.

While working at the Berghof, Döhring met his future wife Anna Krautenbacher, who was also employed there. On December 10, 1936, they were married in Berchtesgaden. The subsequent wedding celebration, which Hitler also attended, took place at the Berghof.

This interview was recorded in 1999 and has never been published until now.

Have fun watching and thank you very much for your support!

[00:00:00] Early life and joining the Leibstandarte

[00:00:28] Background and enlisted duty in Berlin

[00:01:44] Reputation and assignment to Hitler’s guard

[00:02:59] Transfer to the Berghof and initial duties

[00:03:14] Security in Nuremberg and Obersalzberg

[00:04:56] Official transfer to Hitler's household

[00:05:33] Memories of the 1933 power transition

[00:06:41] Early experiences as a telephone operator

[00:08:35] Daily routine and management of the Berghof

[00:10:18] Managing logistics, repairs, and accounting

[00:12:02] Salary, staff housing, and employment numbers

[00:15:08] Layout of the private living quarters

[00:16:23] Typical daily schedule and walking routines

[00:20:50] Hitler's personal habits and appearance

[00:23:03] Life at the Berghof in Hitler's absence

[00:25:04] Security protocols and unauthorized visitors

[00:29:13] Guard protocols and guest registrations

[00:32:11] Anecdote regarding the Göring and Döring names

[00:34:59] Kitchen operations and dietary habits

[00:36:30] Hitler's favorite vegetarian dishes and diets

[00:39:51] Incident with Martin Bormann over food suppliers

[00:43:07] Wartime frugality and drinking habits

[00:45:07] Leisure activities and social life

[00:46:53] Music and recording sessions at Berghof

[00:51:09] The Kehlsteinhaus and New Year's celebrations

[00:53:51] Hitler’s passion for architecture and painting

[00:58:13] Guest room allocations and usage

[01:03:30] Personal relationships and political associates

[01:04:13] Trusted associates and the Bormann influence

[01:07:38] Instances of Hitler's anger and scolding

[01:09:41] The flight of Rudolf Hess to England

[01:13:25] Observations regarding Eva Braun and staff

[01:24:45] Security, surveillance, and the Great Hall window

[01:29:00] Secret discussions about the Eastern Front

[01:34:26] First meeting and relationship with Bormann

[01:38:00] Land acquisitions and the Kehlsteinhaus construction

[01:42:00] Hitler’s skepticism regarding the Eagle’s Nest

[01:45:51] Managing visitors and curious gift packages

[01:49:12] Family dynamics and internal conflicts

[01:50:00] Relationship with Angela Raubal and Eva Braun

[01:54:11] Diplomatic guests and the Mussolini relationship

[02:00:07] The Hitler-Stalin Pact and war declarations

[02:04:10] Reaction to Heydrich’s assassination and retribution

[02:12:32] Discipline within the SS and legal rulings

[02:15:55] Final years at the Berghof and military service

[02:19:03] Leaving the Berghof for the front lines

[02:22:06] News of the war's end and suicide

[02:28:04] Final personal memories of Hitler