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From Bormann's Secretary to British Housewife - Hitler Bunker Escaper Else Krüger

Mark Felton Productions・26 minutes read

Elsa Krueger, Hitler's former secretary, escaped from the Führerbunker in Berlin in May 1945 and transformed into a British housewife, providing crucial information on Hitler's government and Martin Borman's activities. Krueger's past remained a mystery, with unanswered questions surrounding her knowledge of Borman and Hitler's fate, as she took her secrets to the grave upon her death in 2005.

Insights

  • Elsa Krueger, Hitler's former secretary, escaped from Hitler's bunker in Berlin in 1945, played a crucial role in Hitler's political Testament, and managed to reach British Lines after facing numerous challenges, providing essential information on Hitler's government and Martin Borman's activities.
  • Krueger, after marrying a British Army interrogator and settling in England, maintained secrecy about her wartime activities, denying possession of Hitler's will but admitting to destroying incriminating documents, leaving unanswered questions about her knowledge of Borman and Hitler's fate, sparking speculation and suspicion among researchers and intelligence officers.

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  • Who was Elsa Krueger?

    Elsa Krueger was Hitler's former secretary.

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Summary

00:00

Elsa Krueger: Hitler's Secretary Turned Housewife

  • The Daily Mirror ran a story on May 3, 1985, about Elsa Krueger, Hitler's former secretary, who had transformed into a British housewife.
  • Elsa Krueger, also known as Elsa James, was Martin Borman's chief secretary and alleged mistress, who escaped from Hitler's bunker in Berlin in May 1945.
  • Krueger worked closely with Borman and Hitler's secretaries in the bunker, even during the chaotic last days of the war.
  • Martin Borman, Hitler's personal secretary, made arrangements for his survival and the continuation of the Nazi government after Hitler's death.
  • Krueger was involved in drafting and copying Hitler's political Testament and private will, which detailed the future of the German government and Nazi party.
  • Krueger was present at Hitler's marriage to Eva Braun and was part of the bunker staff that bid farewell to Hitler and Braun before their alleged suicides.
  • Krueger, along with other female staff, participated in a breakout attempt from Berlin led by SS Brigadier Wilhelm Mohnke.
  • Krueger's statements at the Nuremberg trials suggested that Borman had died and spoke critically of him, despite having been his trusted secretary.
  • Krueger and Gera Christian, another secretary, managed to escape Berlin with a group led by Mohnke, facing challenges and casualties along the way.
  • After leaving the brewery in Berlin, Krueger split from the group with Christian, possibly carrying a small pouch of diamonds given by Mohnke, aiming to reach British-controlled territory.

16:25

Kruger's Secrets: From Borman to Silence

  • Yunga, lacking money, papers, and luggage, reached the British Zone after walking for days and sleeping in barns, encountering SS officer Kemker on the run.
  • Kemker was apprehended by US troops in Bavaria on June 20, 1945, while Yunga returned to Berlin in June 1945, later picked up by the Soviets and released into the British sector.
  • Christian and Kruger reached British Lines by posing as French workers on a repatriation train, with their cover being seen through by French officers but smuggled back aboard by the British train Commander.
  • Kruger, Borman's Chief secretary, escaped the Führerbunker, was interrogated by British and American intelligence, and provided crucial information on Hitler's government and Borman's activities.
  • Kruger developed a relationship with British Army interrogator Captain James, marrying him in 1947 and settling in England, where they had a son named Harold in 1956.
  • Kruger's past as Borman's secretary was unknown until approached by former US intelligence officer O'Donnell, who she fought against to prevent the publication of passages mentioning her activities.
  • Kruger corresponded with Hugh Trevor Roper, denying possession of Hitler's will but admitting to destroying a letter from Gobbles to Dernitz, believing the fourth copy of the will was handed over to the Soviets.
  • Kruger's relationship with Trevor Roper, who extensively questioned her after her capture, formed a significant part of his book on Hitler's last days, though subsequent revisions were made due to new information.
  • Kruger and her husband moved to West Germany, where James suffered a stroke and passed away in 1995, while Kruger died in 2005, taking her secrets regarding Borman and Hitler's last days with her.
  • Kruger's son Harold James remains silent about his mother's wartime activities, leaving unanswered questions about Kruger's knowledge of Borman and Hitler's fate and her reasons for silence.

32:35

Krueger's Role in Third Reich's Demise

  • General Moner and G Christian were not official or unofficial carriers
  • Press and book speculation surrounded Krueger's role in the Third Reich's demise
  • O'Donnell and others suspected Krueger of concealing her role
  • Two scenarios: persecution campaign or deliberate concealment of role
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