Interesting Facts About Adolf Hitler
The fact that Hitler was Austrian, born in Braunau am Inn in April 1889, might seem odd given his association with German nationalism. This affinity was not, however, all that unusual among Austrians.
Influenced by the tutelage of his high school teacher, Leopold Poetsch, who had strong German nationalist sensibilities (and also taught Aldolf Eichmann), Hitler grew to despise the Austro-Hungarian Empire and express loyalty only to Germany.
In 1914, while living in Munich, Hitler managed to enlist in the Bavarian Army before renouncing his Austrian citizenship in 1925 and officially becoming a German citizen in the early 30s.
Despite the family moving from Braunau am Inn to Linz when Adolf was three years old, the border town and the house that he was born in (but only stayed in for a couple of weeks) have a lasting issue with their connection to Hitler.
It’s tempting to wonder how different the 20th century might have been had Hitler’s youthful aspirations to become an artist been realised.
He twice failed the entrance exam of the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (in 1907 and in 1908) when it was noted that, though he had some talent for architectural draughtsmanship, his human figures lacked detail and character.
Hitler’s interest in art did continue, however. So-called ‘degenerate’ modern, abstract and impressionist art was denounced as the product of Jewish and Bolshevik artists during the Third Reich.
The works, some by world famous artists like Klee and Picasso, were removed from German museums and placed in a condemnatory exhibition.
The Nazis also collected significant and invaluable pieces of art, often in the name of ‘kunstschutz’ — art protection.
This process was decreed by the Hague Convention Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land (1899 and 1907), but excess looting took place in occupied zones and the collections of targeted minorities were confiscated.
A Führermuseum was to be constructed in Linz, Austria, after the war but some of the artworks were taken into the private collections of Hitler, Göring and Goebbels. 1.4 million train carriages worth of art was taken, and up to 100,000 pieces are still unaccounted for.
3. He once lived in a homeless shelter
Hitler’s failure to make it as an artist had grave financial consequences.
Having had little success selling his paintings, postcards and advertisements, his financial resources were so seriously diminished that he lived in a homeless shelter in Vienna in December 1909.
He then lived in a public dormitory for men until 1913, when he received his father’s inheritance and moved to Munich.
4. He was wounded in the First World War
Whilst still an Austrian citizen Hitler was accepted into the Bavarian army. He served in the infantry at the First Battle of Ypres, where the new infantry divisions suffered casualties as high as one third to a half.
After this battle he was made regimental message runner; it has been suggested that this was a relatively safe role, largely taking place away from the front. Despite this Hitler took a wound on his leg at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and was temporarily blinded by mustard gas in 1918. Whilst recovering from the latter injury Hitler heard the news of the German surrender and armistice.
Hitler received two medals for bravery during the Great war: the Iron Cross Second Class in 1914 and the Iron Cross First Class in 1918. It is alleged that this second award resulted from his prolonged time amongst higher ranks at the headquarters as a runner.