Karma holds that if you do something good for someone‚ something good will also happen to you. This seemed to hold true for the people in the town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. In 2020‚ Austrian man Eric Schwam left over 2 million Euros to the town in his will. It was a thank you to the people of the town for protecting him for over two years during the Holocaust.  Vichy France After German forces overran France in 1940‚ the Nazi regime established a new government that was sympathetic to the Nazi cause. The Vichy government‚ as it became known‚ began rounding up Jews‚ Roma‚ and other “undesirables.”  They started to send them to concentration camps in a similar fashion that the Germans did. These populations were sent to camps like Revesaltes in southern France. There‚ they would be held in ghettos until they were to be deported to German concentration camps.  Eric Schwam Arrives in France Eric Schwam was a young Jewish man from Austria. During the 1940s‚ he was imprisoned in Rivesaltes with his family.  Schwam’s parents were both highly educated. They helped form a library at the camp and ease the suffering of those around them.  Little is known about how the Schwam family wound up there‚ but they were held at Rivesaltes until the camp closed in 1942.  When German forces moved into the previously unoccupied south of France in 1942‚ they deported the remaining prisoners and closed the camp as a detention center. It is unknown how the Schwam family escaped the fate of a German concentration camp. It is theorized that they were rescued by a young Swiss social worker named Friedel Reiter. Instead of being sent to Germany‚ the family arrived in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon in early 1943.  The Refugee Village Le Chambon-sur-Lignon is a small French village about 250 miles from Rivesaltes. The town was a haven for Jewish refugees during World War II.  From December 1940 to September 1944‚ the town was able to assist over 5000 refugees‚ including 3500 Jewish people fleeing Nazi oppression. The efforts were led by a local pastor named Andre Trocme and his wife Magda. They believed that helping the oppressed was the right thing to do. He would urge his congregation to “do the will of God‚ not of man.” He urged them to assist in aiding the refugees and not give in to the hatred of the Vichy and Nazi governments.  Townsfolk found ways to aid refugees however they could. Some hid refugees in their homes or barns. Others met refugees at the train station and smuggled them into town.  Another pastor‚ Eduoard Theis‚ would work with Protestant activists in Switzerland to organize a system that smuggled Jewish refugees across the border. The townsfolk tried to make life as normal as possible for the refugees. They offered youth groups and school classes‚ and even encouraged Jews to practice their faith. By the time the Schwam family arrived in 1943‚ word had spread far that the town was a welcome place for Jewish refugees.  The town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon‚ France The Empire Strikes Back While spreading the news was promising for those fleeing oppression‚ it inevitably fell upon the ears of the oppressors as well.  As the occupation of Southern France spread‚ Vichy and Nazi forces marched upon the town. They demanded that townsfolk turn over any Jews they were hiding‚ threatening harsh punishment for anyone who resisted.  Trocme and Theis‚ along with the headmaster of the local school‚ were arrested for their efforts to shelter Jewish refugees. The men were released shortly after‚ but they were forced into hiding themselves.  Many other leaders in the community would also be arrested‚ including Trocme’s relative Daniel Trocme. He would be sent to the Lublin concentration camp and die at the hands of SS officers there.  Schwam Leaves a Fortune Although some refugees were found by Nazi forces and deported‚ many survived because of the acts of kindness displayed by the townspeople of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon.  Schwam’s family would return to Austria after the war. Eric himself would remain in the town until 1950. After leaving Le Chambon-sur-Lignon‚ he moved to the nearby city of Lyon to study pharmacy‚ where he would meet his wife.  Over the next 70 years‚ Eric Schwam would accumulate a small fortune in the business of pharmacy. As he neared the end of his life‚ Schwam’s mind returned to the small village that had kept his family alive during their darkest years.  He began to inquire about how he and his wife could leave their fortune to the town when he died. He even met with the mayor of the town to discuss the details.  No formal plan was ever established‚ but in December 2020 Schwam passed away. It was revealed that his will granted over 2 million euros to the town‚ encouraging them to use it for education and youth services.  Righteous to the Nations The town received praise from Barack Obama in 2009 during the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony.  At the World Holocaust Remembrance Center‚ Yad Vashem‚ recognized the town and many of its residents as “Righteous to the Nations” for their efforts in saving Jewish refugees. They are no strangers to being thanked for their selfless efforts.  However‚ nobody in the town knew of Schwam or what had happened to him‚ so the gift was a surprise. Since they received the gift‚ the town has been attempting to uncover more about the story of a young Austrian boy who was rescued by the kind acts of strangers in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon.  References Alt Miller‚ Yvette. “Austrian Jew Leaves Fortune to French Town that Saved His Life.” Aish. https://aish.com/austrian-jew-leaves-fortune-to-french-town-that-saved-his-life/.  McSweeney‚ Eoin and Arnaud Siad. “Austrian man leaves fortune to French village that saved his family from Nazis.” CNN‚ January 30‚ 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/30/europe/fortune-french-village-nazi-intl/index.html.  United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “LE CHAMBON-SUR-LIGNON.” Holocaust Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/le-chambon-sur-lignon. The post Holocaust Survivor‚ Eric Schwam and His 2 Million Euro Gift first appeared on History Defined.

Mimir is an obscure figure from Norse mythology‚ more ancient than Odin himself. His name in Old Norse meant The Rememberer.  Mimir guarded the Well of Wisdom that lay between the roots of the World Tree‚ which made up the center of their universe. Yggdrasil‚ also called the World Tree‚ is an ancient ash tree that unites all of creation.  He was so renowned for his wisdom that the gods sought him out to seek his counsel. Without Mimir’s consent‚ Odin never would have risen to preeminence among the Norse gods.  Odin found him and asked that he allow him to drink from the Well of Wisdom so that he might become enlightened. Mimir demanded a terrible price: one of Odin’s eyes.  The god agreed‚ and the wisdom and insight that he gained from the waters of wisdom elevated him above his contemporaries.  Even after this‚ Odin continued to seek Mimir’s counsel. When Mimir was beheaded during a war of the gods‚ Odin continued to draw upon Mimir’s wisdom by carrying the head around with him. Illustrations of Mimir from Norse and Viking Mythology Norse Mythology Often associated with the Vikings‚ Norse mythology is the body of myths shared by Norsemen‚ or North Germanic peoples. Long oral traditions were preserved in Eddic poetry and prose written from the 10th to 13th centuries. The Old Norse language was spoken throughout Scandinavia from about the 8th to the 15th centuries. After this point‚ it morphed into more modern languages.  Like the language‚ Norse mythology is rooted in broader Germanic religious traditions. It was an inexorable part of their culture and their understanding of the world and their place within it.  There were a number of gods and goddesses in the Old Norse religion‚ and only some were worshiped. Loki‚ for example‚ was not worshiped.  He was a prominent figure in their stories. He shaped their understanding of the universe‚ but there is no evidence of offerings made to him. Norsemen made sacrifices to their gods – usually animals‚ such as oxen or boars‚ but sometimes humans. Spells and divination were common practices. Religious rituals were not restricted to any sort of clergy.  They believed in reincarnation and often named their children after departed family members.  Norse Mythology included many figures that were neither gods nor humans. Many of these were elves and dwarves. Tolkien found a great deal of inspiration in these ancient stories.  There were the Norns‚ three women who shaped the course of each human’s fate. There were nature spirits and guardian spirits. There were also giants. Mimir was his own entity‚ somewhere between a giant and a God. In some traditions‚ he was Odin’s maternal uncle. He also mentored Siegfried‚ an ancient hero in Old Norse literature. Odin relied on his wise counsel so much that he used elaborate magic to resurrect Mimir after he was beheaded. He continued to consult him for advice. Odin stands by Mímir’s beheaded body. 19th century. Georg Pauli  (1855–1935)    Odin Odin was a Norse god associated with knowledge‚ war‚ victory‚ sorcery‚ royalty‚ healing‚ and death. He was the son of Bestla and Borr. His wife was Frigg‚ the goddess of marriage‚ prophecy‚ and motherhood.  He was an established god from the very beginnings of recorded history in Europe over 2‚200 years ago. Over 170 different names for Odin have been recorded. His name in Old English was Woden‚ giving us the word Wednesday by way of the Old English word meaning Woden’s day. Throughout the mythology‚ he often sought out more and more knowledge – and not just from the Well of Wisdom. He also drank the Mead of Poetry that conferred to its drinkers all the powers of the scholars. He took an active part in the creation of the world and was responsible for creating the first two humans‚ Ask and Embla. Odin was always portrayed with one eye‚ as a result of his deal with Mimir. He rode an eight-legged steed across the sky and was often accompanied by wolves and ravens‚ who brought him information. Odin had many sons‚ the most famous of them being Thor. He was not born of Odin’s wife‚ but rather of a liaison between Odin and the earth goddess Joro. Thor was the god of thunder and protector of the Earth. Thor’s hammer was the most common religious symbol of the culture. From the ninth century onwards they were commonly worn around the neck as pendants‚ possibly in response to the crosses worn by Christians.  Mimir in Poetry and Prose Mimir features in both the Poetic Edda‚ a collection of Old Norse poems‚ and the Prose Edda‚ an Old Norse textbook written in Iceland during the 13th century. The Poetic Edda refers to Odin’s journey to the Well of Wisdom and the bargain he struck with Mimir. It also mentions Mimir’s severed head‚ which Odin turns to for advice. Although the head is decollated‚ Mimir still retains the power of speech.  In the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning‚ it is written that Mimir himself drank from the Well of Wisdom and thereby attained great knowledge. The passage explains that the well is located beneath one of the three great roots of the World Tree. An Old Norse saga called Ynglinga provides one account of the Æsir–Vanir War fought between two factions of Norse gods. Odin leads an army from Asgard to attack the prophetic people of Vanaheim. Eventually‚ the two sides agree upon a truce‚ and hostages are exchanged.  An illustration of Mimir. Ancient Origins Mimir is sent in exchange for the wisest man in Vanaheim to ensure that both sides continue to cooperate. When relations deteriorate‚ Mimir is beheaded and his head is sent to Odin. Undeterred by the death of his favorite advisor‚ Odin continues to seek Mimir’s counsel. He fills the decapitated head with herbs to embalm it so that it wouldn’t rot. He then casts spells by chanting magical songs over Mimir’s head so that it will regain its power of speech and Mimir can continue to share his vast knowledge with Odin.  Later in the Ynglinga saga‚ Odin consults Mimir’s head to learn information from other worlds. The post Mimir: The Wise Norse God More Ancient than Odin Himself first appeared on History Defined.

When we hear tales of POWs from the Vietnam War era‚ they are often marked by gruesome torture‚ back-breaking labor‚ and unimaginable hardship.  However‚ for one POW named Doug Hegdahl‚ his time in a North Vietnamese prison camp was much easier.  His ability to fake ignorance about military information‚ coupled with a remarkable memory‚ not only shielded him from the hard life of a prisoner of war‚ but also helped rescue over 500 of his fellow soldiers. In this article‚ we will explore the circumstances of Doug Hegdahl’s capture and his survival strategies that would make him a legend of the Vietnam War. Doug Hegdahl’s enlistment photo and a photo taken as a POW Early Life and Deployment to Vietnam Doug Hegdahl III was born in Clark‚ South Dakota on September 3‚ 1946. He enlisted in the Navy in 1966 at the age of 19.  During the time of his enlistment Vietnam had become a focal point in the Cold War and the fight against the spread of communism. Congress had recently signed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the U.S. commitment to supporting South Vietnam was escalating rapidly. Hegdahl was soon deployed to Vietnam onboard the USS Canberra. This was a guided missile cruiser that provided naval gunfire support and surveillance against North Vietnamese forces.  On the early morning of April 6th‚ 1967‚ the USS Canberra was patrolling the waters of the gulf when Hegdahl came up on deck for some fresh air. What happened next is not exactly clear.  Some reports say that Hegdahl was trying to retrieve his hat when he fell into the water. Other versions say that the concussion of a missile being fired nearby knocked him into the water.  Perhaps the concussion of the missile launch knocked the hat from his head and he fell in the water trying to get it. Whatever the case‚ Hegdahl fell into the Gulf of Tonkin as his ship steamed away‚ leaving him stranded.  He managed to stay afloat for several hours until North Vietnamese fishermen eventually found and rescued him. Despite being an enemy combatant‚ the fishermen displayed unexpected kindness and compassion for him.  Hegdahl was reported missing when he failed to appear at the 11:30 muster. After searching the ship twice‚ he was officially listed as “missing as a result of being lost at sea.” Later that same day‚ the fishermen who rescued him handed Hegdahl over to the North Vietnamese forces. He tried to explain to them the circumstances of his falling into the water but they didn’t buy it.  They thought he was a spy or a commando on a secret mission. Sensing he could be very valuable to them‚ the North Vietnamese took him to the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison camp for interrogation.  Capture and Life in the Prison Camp After being moved to the prison camp‚ his captors had the idea that they could flip him. They wanted to use him for their propaganda campaign to rally support for their cause.  They pressured him to write disparaging statements against the United States and the perils of democracy. Hegdahl agreed but pretended that he could not read or write.  He started talking in a thick country accent to make himself sound dumb and illiterate. He took some beatings as they tried to break him but he stuck with the charade for several days.  Eventually‚ his captors started to believe that he really was just a stupid backwoods kid. Fooling his Vietnamese interrogators‚ they believed they had a simpleton on their hands and could sway him to their side. They assigned someone to teach Hegdahl to read and write in Vietnamese but Hegdahl continued to play dumb.  After a few weeks‚ the teacher quit in frustration and Hegdahl was declared incompetent. The trick seemed to have worked. The Vietnamese gave up on him and gave him the nickname “The Incredibly Stupid One.” Hegdahl soon found himself enjoying special privileges within the confines of the prison camp that must have made the other prisoners envious. Because he was thought of as harmless‚ he had free reign of the camp.  He was given simple chores‚ such as sweeping. He was treated with kindness by the staff of the camp and looked upon like the company dog. Little did the enemy know that Hegdahl was not “incredibly stupid” but actually incredibly smart. He took advantage of his newly acquired freedom to observe and gather information about the conditions and activities within the prison. Assisted by an American Air Force officer‚ Doug Hegdahl memorized crucial details about over 250 U.S. prisoners of war‚ including names‚ personal information‚ and capture dates. In order to memorize so much information‚ he sang it to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”. He even convinced his captors that he needed new glasses. When the soldiers took him into Hanoi to be fitted he paid careful attention to the route that they took.  Release and Aftermath After two years of gathering information inside the prison camp‚ the North Vietnamese decided to release three POWs for propaganda purposes. Hegdahl was considered a low-value captive and was chosen to be one of the prisoners to be released.  At first‚ Hegdahl refused to go because of a pledge they all made that they would either all be released or none at all. But his fellow prisoners urged him to go and tell the world about their situation and get them out. On August 5‚ 1969‚ Hegdahl was turned over to Allied forces. He promptly shared a trove of vital details with U.S. military officials.  In 1970 he was given the opportunity to attend the secret Paris Peace Talks where confronted North Vietnam’s negotiators. He exposed their lies about the treatment of POWs.  His direct confrontation contributed to the pressure that eventually led to an agreement for the release of American prisoners. The process took time‚ but on February 12‚ 1973‚ the first POWs were released.  By late March of the same year‚ all 591 had regained their freedom thanks to the ingenious abilities of one man who outwitted his captors. References Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964) https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/tonkin-gulf-resolution The brilliantly ‘stupid ‘ American POW https://www.chronicleonline.com/opinion/columnists/the-brilliantly-stupid-american-pow/article_cef40410-f1ab-5042-824a-2cdfb70867c2.html The incredibly stupid one https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/amazing-pow-douglas-hegdahl/The post Doug Hegdahl: How One Man Tricked the Enemy and Freed Over 500 POW’s first appeared on History Defined.

Sex‚ drugs‚ and rock n’ roll: this phrase originated from LIFE magazine in 1969. It was used to describe the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s. It was a description which has become a badge of pride for punk movements ever since. Since the 1960s‚ and in some cases even earlier‚ the lives of rock stars have been defined by their deviance from social norms and alignment with this creed. The off-stage lives of famous musicians are many times seedy and taboo‚ defined by the other two parts of the famous phrase: sex and drugs.  Sid and Nancy‚ 1977. Dennis Morris/Camera Press/Retna The Punk Movement Among the earliest bands to truly encapsulate this phrase‚ helping to usher in the punk movement‚ was the Sex Pistols. First formed in England in 1975‚ the band became famous after releasing their only album‚ Never Mind the Bollacks‚ Here’s the Sex Pistols‚ in 1977. The band’s members included Johnny Rotten‚ the lead singer; Steve Jones‚ guitarist; Paul Cook‚ drummer; and bassist Sid Vicious. Vicious replaced the band’s original bassist in early 1977. Although the band gained notoriety for their foul language‚ political music‚ and anti-establishment behavior‚ the most heinous legacy of the band is tied to Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.  Spungen’s Early Life Spungen was born in Philadelphia in 1958. She was troubled from the beginning. During her delivery‚ she nearly died when the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Doctors were able to save her life and determined she did not suffer any lasting damage from oxygen deprivation. However‚ in the process of saving Spungen‚ she was denied early connection to her parents‚ which may have damaged her psyche. She was a troubled child growing up‚ demonstrating violent behaviors constantly. By 15‚ she was diagnosed with schizophrenia‚ which did little to curb her deviant behavior. It led to her being expelled from college and moving to New York by age 17. Supporting herself with odd jobs and sex work‚ Spungen began following around rock bands as a groupie. Then‚ in December of 1976‚ she flew to London and met the Sex Pistols‚ who were joined by Vicious shortly after. Nancy Meets The Sex Pistols The rest of the band did not like Spungen‚ who was loud and violent. However‚ she was able to get drugs for the band which is how she was able to stay around against their wishes. By March of 1977‚ Vicious and Spungen had moved in together. This was the beginning of a tumultuous relationship. Over the next year and a half‚ Spungen became addicted to heroin thanks to Vicious already heavily abusing multiple drugs before their relationship. This amplified the couple’s violence. They would regularly verbally and physically abuse each other. Spungen even earned the nickname “Nauseating Nancy” for her constant angry behavior in public.  The band organized their first American tour in 1977 after jumping through visa hurdles due to criminal records. Due to the complications‚ the band was scheduled to perform at bars throughout the American South rather than concert venues. At the same time‚ the band members’ relationships were beginning to fray. Rotten behaved as if the band and himself were a gift from God to the world‚ while simultaneously insulting every fan he could. Vicious was devolving into a violent druggie who attacked fans and security alike. Spungen’s continued following of the band raised tensions further as she enabled Vicious’ behavior. In January of 1978‚ the band finally split up. They cited Vicious’ incessant drug use and his relationship with Spungen as part of the reason.  Sid and Nancy. Richard Mann‚ The Hollywood Reporter The Band Breaks Up As the band members went their separate ways‚ Spungen and Vicious moved to New York together and lived in the Chelsea Hotel. They lived in room 100 together‚ under the name “John Simone Ritchie”: Vicious’ birth name. For nearly the next year‚ Vicious produced music as a solo act. The music would be released the next year under the title Sid Sings. Spungen acted as his manager during this time. In the meantime‚ the pair continued their deviant lifestyle‚ holding large parties and partaking in excessive drug use. This would ultimately lead to Spungen’s death in October of 1978.  Sid and Nancy‚ 1978. Photo: Eileen Polk The Fatal Party The pair had hosted a party on the night of October 11‚ not unlike the hundreds they had held before. Vicious was seen taking 30 Tuinal tablets. These were strong barbituates which knocked him unconscious until the next day. The groggy morning after was brought into sudden clarity by the discovery of Spungen’s body on the bathroom floor. She was dead from a stab wound in her chest. Vicious was still recovering from the night before when the police arrested him for her murder as he wandered the hotel halls. The police assumed that he was responsible since he had an affinity for knives. It was assumed that he owned the murder weapon. He was released on bail. After getting into another fight in December‚ he was arrested again and placed in Rikers Prison for two months. During this time he was forced to detox cold turkey. Upon his release in February of 1979‚ Vicious attended a party and died of a heroin overdose.  Murder or Suicide? There are rumors that Vicious’ death was intentional and that he and Spungen had a suicide pact which led Vicious to kill himself as easily as possible. However‚ his reduced tolerance due to his detox likely led to an overdose. Regardless‚ the New York Police Department closed the case of Spungen’s death after Vicious died. She was buried in Philadelphia. The couple have since gone down as one of the most notorious pairings in rock and roll history. They were a divisive branch of a divisive band and both died in tragic and notable ways. Such is the way the story goes when you live by sex‚ drugs‚ and rock and roll.  References Ott‚ Tim. “Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen: Their Turbulent and Tragic Love Story.” Biography.com‚ April 2‚ 2020. https://www.biography.com/crime/sid-vicious-nancy-spungen-love-murder.  Wakeman‚ Jessica. “Flashback: Nancy Spungen Found Dead at Chelsea Hotel.” Rolling Stone‚ October 12‚ 2017. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/flashback-nancy-spungen-found-dead-at-chelsea-hotel-118648/. The post The Tragic Life of Famous Punk-Girlfriend‚ Nancy Spungen first appeared on History Defined.

Little was known about Eva Braun when she was alive except that she was a photographer who followed the infamous German dictator‚ Adolf Hitler‚ around. But behind closed doors‚ they were in a relationship.  The Nazi leader did a great job of hiding his relationship with Braun. To the public‚ Hitler projected a celibate and ascetic life. He eventually married Braun before committing suicide together on April 30‚ 1945‚ just a day after their marriage. It was only when their bodies were discovered that the public learned of their bond. Her ties with Hitler had always overshadowed Braun’s achievements in life. So‚ let’s take a moment to review the life of Eva Braun.  Eva Braun with her dogs. Office of the National Archives Early Life Eva Anna Paula Braun was the second daughter of Friedrich‚ a school teacher‚ and Franziska‚ a seamstress. She was born on February 6‚ 1912‚ in Munich where the family lived. Braun had an elder sister‚ Ilse‚ and a younger one‚ Margarete. Braun went to a Catholic school where she excelled in athletics. At 17‚ she became an assistant to Heinrich Hoffman‚ Hitler’s official photographer. Braun worked as Hoffman’s shop assistant and sales clerk while advancing her career as a photographer.  Shortly after working for Hoffman‚ Braun met Hitler when he dropped by the studio in October 1929. She was 17 and he was 40—a 23-year age difference. Hoffman introduced Hitler as “Herr Wolff‚” which was a common moniker for the tyrant. The wolf had become a symbol for the Nazi Party as the animal symbolizes strength and purity. How Eva Braun Developed Ties With Nazi Leaders Braun was often accompanied by her younger sister Margarete‚ better known as Gretl‚ in all the Nazi functions she attended. Braun and Gretl lived together at that time.  They spent so much time together that Gretl became part of Hitler’s inner circle. During one function‚ Gretl met Hermann Fegelein‚ one of the most sought-after Nazi bachelors. He was a high-ranking Nazi official who was instrumental in the invasion of Poland in 1939. He was also described as a clever and honest man with a dry wit. Women found him attractive and Braun was no exception.  Despite her attraction‚ Braun was already romantically linked to Hitler by this time. Braun reportedly told a friend: “A few years ago‚ the boss (Hitler) said that if I fell in love one day with another man‚ then I should let him know and he would release me. If I had known Fegelein 10 years ago‚ I would have asked the boss to let me go.” Instead of going after Fegelein‚ Braun made sure he became family. Braun arranged for Gretl to marry Fegelein on June 3‚ 1944. Fegelein found Gretl sexy but also saw her as an opportunity to be closer to Hitler.  While referring to Fegelein‚ the same historical account stated‚ “Gretl Braun was‚ as one would say today‚ sexy‚ and Fegelein might have been thinking of the advantages of one day being Hitler’s brother-in-law.” Office of the National Archives Eva Braun Gets Closer To Hitler Before Braun came into Hitler’s life‚ there were plenty of rumors surrounding Hitler and his half-niece‚ Geli Raubal. Raubal was the child of Leo Raubal Sr. and Angela Raubal‚ Hitler’s half-sister. Raubal and Hitler forged closer ties in 1925. She moved into Hitler’s Munich apartment in 1929 which became the subject of many speculations.  Just as the uncle and his half-niece started living together‚ Hitler and Braun became acquainted. In 1931‚ Raubal was found dead after she allegedly shot herself with Hitler’s pistol. The incident was easily ruled as a suicide back then‚ but some continue to speculate that it was murder.  Using Hitler’s gun was supposed to make a statement because Raubal reportedly wanted to be free from the tyrant’s control. She had fallen in love with a man from Linz‚ Austria‚ but Hitler wouldn’t let go of her. Raubal was only 23.  Following Raubal’s death‚ Hitler became closer to Braun. The photographer was no stranger to suicide as she‚ too‚ attempted to kill herself. In August 1932‚ Braun shot herself in the chest. Many believe it was a ploy to get Hitler’s attention. It must have worked because‚ by the end of 1932‚ Braun had fully recovered and the two reportedly became lovers.  From that moment on‚ Braun started tailing Hitler as an official photographer for the Nazi Party along with Hoffman. She was never introduced as Hitler’s girlfriend or lover in official events but as part of Hoffman’s team. Braun also worked for Hoffman’s art press.  During their relationship‚ Braun started spending the night in Hitler’s lair.  Eva Braun and Hitler with their dogs Eva Braun’s Many Homes  In May 1935‚ Braun made a second attempt on her life by taking sleeping pills. She was reportedly upset that Hitler was not making time for her.  To appease Braun‚ Hitler provided her and Gretl with a three-bedroom apartment in Munich‚ the same city where the Nazi leader lived. A year later‚ the Braun sisters had an even better home—a villa in Bogenhausen‚ Wasserburger Strasse.  Braun also had her own space‚ an apartment in the new Reich Chancellery in Berlin. It was designed by the famous German architect Albert Speer who was Hitler’s main architect. Speer also served as Minister of Armaments and War Production in Nazi Germany during most of World War II. The gesture showed the luxury that Hitler afforded Braun and what Nazi money could provide.  Braun also often accompanied Hitler in his holiday home‚ Berghof‚ which was located in the mountains of Bavaria. By 1936‚ she had become a mainstay in Hitler’s vacation home. The castle was a marvel and became a tourist attraction. Of course‚ at that time‚ entry was restricted and security was tight.  It was at the Berghof that Hitler met with many high-level dignitaries: Italian Prime Minister and dictator Benito Mussolini Duke Edward VIII and Duchess Wallis of Windsor Former British Prime Minister David Lloyd George  British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain  However‚ Braun never met any of them. She may have been Hitler’s lover but she was never his official partner in public.  Braun’s presence in the Berghof was never explained. However‚ the household staff immediately realized that she was untouchable.  In 1935‚ Braun attended the Nuremberg Rally as part of Hoffman’s media team. The event was a Nazi party that was held every few years since 1923 and annually starting in 1933. Angela Raubal‚ the mother of Geli Raubal and a housekeeper at Hitler’s vacation home‚ objected to Braun’s presence at the rally‚ even in an official capacity. The opposition didn’t sit well with Hitler and Angela was immediately dismissed from her duties.  Why Didn’t Hitler Marry Eva Braun Sooner? There are a handful of reasons why Hitler didn’t marry Braun right away. For one‚ the Nazi Party had a diminished view of women’s roles. They believed that women belonged at home as mothers and child-bearers although there were a few who worked alongside them. Women were also important in keeping the German bloodlines pure.  Hence‚ Braun mostly stayed at home unless she had an official photography assignment.  Another reason Hitler never introduced Braun as his significant other was his reputation. He wanted to seem chaste in the eyes of the people. Hitler also wanted to be single as he believed it made him more attractive to women. This made it easier for them to do his bidding.  Braun embraced her role fairly well. She never became a member of the Nazi Party and politics were of no interest to her. The Lifestyle of a Nazi Leader’s Lover Like most powerful men with kept women‚ Hitler showered Braun with luxury. She had multiple homes‚ plenty of clothes‚ a cellar filled with Möet et Chandon‚ and a freezer filled with imported Ukrainian bacon. Her home had monogrammed linen and she had a housekeeper to keep everything in order. Braun also had two Scottish terrier dogs.  She had everything a woman could want except public recognition by her significant other. However‚ there were a few exceptions. Sometimes‚ Hitler would entertain his inner circle at the Berghof and Braun openly hosted the events as the woman of the house.  There was evidence that Hitler truly loved Braun despite never acknowledging her in public. Hitler included Braun in his will‚ declaring that she should receive 12‚000 reichsmarks every year in the event of his death.  Braun also loved Hitler. She was offered a chance to escape the country when the war ended but she wouldn’t hear of it. She was quoted as saying‚ “Do you think I would let him die alone? I will stay with him up until the last moment.” And she did.  Like Romeo and Juliet In early 1945‚ the Allied forces entered Germany. The Nazi Party had no chance of defeating the combined might of the United States‚ Great Britain‚ the Soviet Union‚ and France.  On April 29‚ 1945‚ shortly after midnight‚ Hitler and Braun got married in a civil ceremony inside the Nazi dictator’s Führerbunker. Braun started writing Eva B in her marriage certificate but quickly crossed out the B and wrote Hitler instead. She would only carry her new last name for around 36 hours.  By 3:00 p.m. on April 30‚ 1945‚ the household staff of the Führerbunker heard a gunshot. They discovered the lifeless bodies of Hitler and Braun in the tyrant’s study. Hitler had shot himself in the right temple using his sidearm while Braun had bitten a cyanide capsule to poison herself.  Their corpses were burned so the Allies would not get a hold of them. Braun was 33 and Hitler was 56.  All of Braun’s family members survived the war. Fritz died in 1964 while Franziska died at the ripe old age of 91 in 1976. Gretl also survived and eventually gave birth to a daughter named Eva. Ilse‚ who had no part in the Nazi Party nor had a relationship with Hitler‚ died in 1979.  Braun will always be known as Hitler’s lover and wife for a brief period. But it will always be interesting to consider who she might have been and what she might have accomplished if she hadn’t met Hitler and become involved with the Nazis.The post Eva Braun: Hitler’s Photographer and Wife of One Day first appeared on History Defined.

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