Adolf Hitler's 'Suicide Note' Up For Auction, Starting At $30,000

A letter, believed to be the final message Adolf Hitler ever wrote and widely known as the German leader’s “suicide note”, will go up for auction along with a host of other World War II memorabilia at Maryland, later this month.

The auction, set to take place April 30, will be hosted by Alexander Historical Auctions. The note is the only documented proof that says Hitler decided to stay back in Germany during the end of the Second World War, despite being advised by his field marshal to leave the country.

In a telegram sent to Hitler by Field Marshal Ferdinand Schörner, dated April 23, 1945, the latter wrote: “I should like - as your field marshal, and on behalf of all the brave soldiers, who are fighting for you, as well as those who have laid down their lives for you - to ask you, at this grave hour, to leave Berlin and to assume command...from the southern sector. You alone are the guarantee of the future continuance of the nation; from you alone every German man takes his orders, as does the whole of the fine German armed forces - unconditionally. You alone are Germany...If you fell, Germany would also. Millions of Germans await the opportunity to build up Germany once again, with you.”

Schörner commanded the 6th Mountain Division of the XIX Mountain Corps, and Panzer troops in Russia till he was promoted to the position of field marshal in April 1945. He reportedly remained the Führer’s favorite till the end of the war.

Hitler replied to the marshal’s letter, writing, “I shall remain in Berlin, so as to take part, in honorable fashion, in the decisive battle for Germany, and to set a good example to all those remaining. I believe that in this way I shall be rendering Germany the best service. For the rest of you, every effort must be made to win the struggle for Berlin. You can there help decisively, by pushing northwards as early as possible..."

The letter was written a week before Hitler committed suicide, by shooting himself in the head after he swallowed a cyanide pill. Bill Panagopulos, the president of Alexander Historical Auctions, said the letter was a rare find.

“There is no other written evidence of Hitler declaring his intention to remain [and die] in Berlin that anyone has been able to locate," Panagopulos said in an interview with The Sun. “This is essentially Hitler’s ‘suicide note.’"

The auction house stated, in the description of the item, that both of the crucial documents were in fine condition, with full translations. The minimum bid for the item was set at $30,000. The final price is estimated to reach $60,000 to $80,000.

Other items at the auction include a Nazi membership book signed by Hitler and his accident insurance policy.