World War 2

Robert Waite tells in his book The Psychopathic God that over the years Hitler really became very fond of Eva. He took to addressing her, both in private letters and within the intimate circle at the Berghof, with tender Austrian words to express his affection - Tschapperl, Hascherl, and Patsherl.

Traudl Junge, one of Hitler's secretaries, later recalled:

"He patted her hand, calling her my Patscherl ... He always urged her to eat this or that, saying, Now, my Patscherl, eat this little morsel that is good for you."

Dr. van Capelle and Dr. van de Bovenkamp tell in their book Hitler's Henchmen how Eva after the outbreak of World War 2 gradually was allowed to appear more often in public. She was allowed to be present on Hitler's birthday, she was invited to receptions at Berchtesgaden and she dined with generals and party officials.

But her diary, which survived her death, is full of complaints about Hitler's neglect and humiliation of her - she was forbidden to smoke, dance or enjoy the company of other men.

A secret, private film collection shows candid views of Eva Braun and Hitler in war and peacetime, chatting with children, conferring with subordinates, relaxing after victories and recovering after Stalingrad.

Eva Braun spent most of her time exercising, brooding, reading novelettes, and watching romantic films. But her loyalty to Hitler never flagged. As Robert Waite wrote: Eva Braun grew in stature. There was about her a quiet inner strength. Even someone who had cordially disliked her said at the end that she attained heights which more than atoned for the vanities and frivolities of the past.

At the same time over one million children under the age of sixteen died in the Holocaust - plucked from their homes and stripped of their childhoods, they lived and died during the dark years of the Nazi genocide.