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I found myself at Hitler's HQ in Berlin.
Standing motionless outside a door, not allowed to move, even if you needed to go to the toilet, for I would have to have let it trickle down my trousers, which in itself could be punishable.

Indoor guard duty was pretty cushy, but not allowed to go beyond delegated area and windows had to remain closed even in hot weather. To be a fully trained body guard I had to undergo a very extreme 3 month training period.

One of my fellow colleague soldiers felt the need to place graffiti on one of our toilet doors in the marbled lined, palace environment of the REICHS CHANCELLERY where Hitler carried out his administration. The guard's superior officers carried out the equivalent to what we now call a ‘Forensic’ test to track down the culprit. The guard was traced and punished severely and sent to a concentration camp as a prisoner.

Whilst I was serving here I learned of my brother’s death, who had been killed serving in Italy. The Gestapo used to sneak around, in and out of secret doorways, to try and catch out the guards and make sure they were doing their job.

Sometimes when I was guarding near the gardens and area of Hitler's bunker. The Gestapo would stand on the roof and if we did not fire upon anyone after challenging them three times, we would be in right trouble. It was during this early period that I was tattooed with the details of my blood group under my armpits, this would later help to save my life in Normandy when I was severely wounded.

I regret now, not have kept a diary, for there was so much I would like to share.

Goering, Boreman, and Hitler tended not to speak to the ordinary soldier, but I only saw them in passing as they came and went.

From here I was sent on to a nice cushy posting to Occupied Denmark, the people resented us generally, but we kept our peace and because I was bored on a number of occasions, I helped out at the local Saddler and this kept me busy and I am sure the local Saddler much appreciated the help. After about three months I was sent to Normandy where I fought against the American Forces.

‘This story was submitted to the Peoples war site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of Hans Kuhn civilian and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions’

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