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DW
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- DW
Hitler's food tasters inspire new film – DW – 05/27/2025
Italian filmmaker Silvio Soldini's "The Tasters" is a fictional version of the story of a woman who worked as Hitler's food taster. But how much of it is true? The first scene of the film "The Tasters" is set in November 1943, in the East Prussian village of Gross-Partsch (present-day Parcz, Poland). A young woman called Rosa Sauer (Elisa Schlott) is fleeing her bombed-out apartment in Berlin by moving in with her in-laws who live there. Her husband, a German soldier, is fighting in Ukraine. Just a couple of kilometers away from the village, hiding in a thick forest surrounded by barbed wire, is the "Wolf's Lair" — Adolf Hitler's Eastern Front military headquarters. Shortly after her arrival, Rosa lands among a group of women who are forcibly recruited by the SS. The women are driven every day to Hitler's secret complex to serve as his food tasters. Without ever seeing him, the women know that the Nazi "Führer" has many enemies and that his meals — and thereby theirs — could be poisoned. Even though so many Europeans at the time are desperate for food amid the war, the elaborate meals are a source of terror for the women. A scene from 'The Tasters': Even in times of food scarcity, the women can't enjoy the meals they are required to eat Image: Luca Zontini/Busch Media Group Amid the tension, Rosa develops a secret relationship with SS lieutenant Ziegler (Max Riemelt) and becomes friends with a shy woman in the group, Elfriede (Alma Hasun), who has good reasons to be discrete. The German-language film, directed by Italian filmmaker Silvio Soldini ("Breads and Tulips," 2000), is based on Rosella Postorino's bestselling novel, "Le assaggiatrici" (2018), which was translated into more than 30 languages, including in English as "At the Wolf's Table." Postorino's 2018 novel won the 56th Campiello Prize The filmmaker, who worked with German actors without speaking the language himself, had previously avoided directing period pieces, but one of the reasons that motivated him to adapt the novel was that it focuses on women, which is unusual for a World War II story. Soldini told DW that he also liked the fact that the story isn't judgemental about the two main characters, Rosa Sauer and Albert Ziegler, who are "simply human, despite being caught in the gears of a horrific system." Based on Margot Wölk's story Postorino's novel was inspired by the testimony of a woman called Margot Wölk. She had never talked about her World War II experiences, but at the age of 95 in December 2012, she started giving interviews to the press. She recalled how, for about two and half years starting in 1942, she was among the 15 young women who were required to taste food prepared for the Wolf's Lair. Margot Wölk only revealed her story to the world at the age of 95, and died shortly afterwards, in 2014 Image: Markus Schreiber/AP Photo/picture alliance The film's portrayal reflects the tasters' recruitment and the daily schedule, as described by Wölk. Wölk also said she survived thanks to a lieutenant who put her on a train to Berlin in 1944; he knew that the Soviet army was just a few kilometres away from reaching the Wolf's Lair. After the war, she met the lieutenant again, and he told her that all the other food tasters in her group had been shot by Soviet soldiers. Wölk's escape inspired Postorino to include the love affair in her novel; the author speculated that Wölk was saved because she had developed a privileged relationship with one of the SS guards. If anything did ever happen between the taster and the lieutenant, Wölk didn't mention it in her interviews. Photos of Margot Wölk as a young woman Image: Markus Schreiber/AP Photo/picture alliance In an interview with Der Spiegel in 2013, she did however mention being raped by one of the SS officers while she was working as a taster. She was also raped repeatedly by Soviet soldiers after she returned to Berlin. More than a year after the end of the war, she was reunited with her husband, who was also traumatized by his wartime experiences. Postorino tried to reach Wölk to interview her for the novel, but the elderly woman died in 2014 before they could talk. Lacking historical evidence After a documentary featuring Margot Wölk came out in 2014, German historian Sven-Felix Kellerhoff pointed out that the story was unlikely to be true. In his piece for the daily Welt, he points out that in the final years of his life, Hitler had digestive problems, and that instead of eating the meals prepared for his inner circle, he hired a dietician who prepared special meals for him in a separate kitchen close to his bunker, within "Sperrkreis 1" (Security Zone 1). It therefore wouldn't have made much sense to have had the food transported outside of this highly restricted area to have it tasted by a group of women before Hitler's meals. In this new book, Felix Bohr looks into how the Wolf's Lair was organized According to Felix Bohr in his new book "Before the Downfall: Hitler's Years in the 'Wolf's Lair'," the first dietician to cook separately for Hitler, Helene von Exner, was hired in July 1943. Before that, a cook called Otto Günther prepared meals in large pots for the Nazi leaders based at the Wolf's Lair. Beyond Hitler's inner circle, up to 2,000 people were working in the Wolf's Lair. Were the women perhaps required to taste other food, being told it was Hitler's meals? In his book detailing the organization of daily life at the Wolf's Lair, Bohr only mentions Wölk's testimony in a footnote, noting that no other historical sources back her claims. As he confirmed to DW, throughout his intensive research into the Wolf's Lair structures, he "found no sources that confirm Margot Wölk's story," but, he adds, "neither did I find any documents that prove the opposite." Soldini is unfazed by any potential historical inaccuracies: After all, he points out, "the film is based on the novel, it's not from the true story." The story that is told remains relevant, he adds, because the movie portrays parallels with current developments in the world. Like the tasters, we can all feel today's political violence — even if we have the privilege of eating good meals. For filmmaker Silvio Soldini, the story reflects today's political violence Image: Elizabeth Grenier/DW Surviving an assassination attempt as a sign of providence One thing that historians have definitely well documented are the various attempts to kill Hitler. At least 42 plots have been uncovered. The best-known one is Operation Valkyrie, in which Wehrmacht officers, led by Claus von Stauffenberg, tried to kill Hitler at the Wolf's Lair by detonating an explosive hidden in a briefcase. This failed assassination attempt on July 20, 1944 is also referred to in the film through Hitler's actual radio broadcast, in which he describes the attack that killed four people and injured 20 more. "I myself am completely unhurt except for very small skin abrasions, bruises or burns," stated the leader of Nazi Germany at the time. Like Trump following his assassination attempt in July 2024, Hitler saw the fact that he survived the attack practically unharmed as a sign of destiny: "I take it as a confirmation of the mission of providence to continue to pursue my life purpose, as I have done so far." Edited by: Brenda Haas
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Dip in Samagra Shiksha Scheme fund earmarked for TN in 2025-26
CHENNAI: The fresh allocation of funds approved for Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme by the Ministry of Education's Project Approval Board (PAB) has dropped by Rs 1,416 crore (34%) from Rs 4,150 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 2,734 crore in 2025-26. Though the approved allocation last year was Rs 4,150 crore, the committed liability was reduced by the PAB to Rs 3,586 crore. The Rs 2,734 crore allocated for 2025-26 is nearly Rs 850 crore lower than that. It is, however, noteworthy that the budget proposed to the PAB by the Tamil Nadu government was also lower at Rs 3,104 crore for 2025-26 compared to Rs 4,579 crore proposed in 2024-25, although the state claimed that this was due to 'upper limits' imposed by the GoI. This allocation of Rs 2,734 crore is the lowest for Tamil Nadu in the last five years under the centrally-sponsored scheme in which the centre shares 60% of the annual expenditure while the state bears 40%. According to the data furnished by the Union Ministry of Education, while states such as Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, and Punjab saw an increase in allocation for 2025-26, states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh saw a decline. TN spent Rs 980 crore as part of its SS share in '24-25 The reduction has come even as Tamil Nadu continues its fight for the release of the Union government's share of Samagra Shiksha (SS) funds for 2024–25, which have been fully withheld. As per the committed liability of Rs 3,586 crore, the Centre was to release Rs 2,152 crore as its 60% share. It is in pursuit of this Rs 2,152 crore that the state government has filed a suit in the Supreme Court against the Union government.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Letters: Wise words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel that could very well apply to Gaza today
These are the words of Holocaust survivor and writer Elie Wiesel: 'We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. 'When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. 'Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the centre of the universe.' At this moment in time, Gaza is the centre of the universe. Chris Fitzpatrick, Dublin 6 Disturbing similarities between Warsaw in 1943 and Palestine in 2025 On April 19, 1943, the Jewish residents of the Warsaw ghetto refused to surrender. The SS commander ordered the destruction of the ghetto brick by brick. A total of 13,000 residents were killed. There were 110 German casualties, including 17 dead. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the uprising was 'one of the most significant occurrences in the history of the Jewish people'. I look at the images from Gaza and cannot but gaze in amazement at the similarity between Warsaw in 1943 and Gaza in 2025. John M Nolan, Dublin 3 Politicians and media in Ireland distort war Israel is fighting as 'genocide' The increasing demonisation, vilification and singling out of Israel by the Irish political platform and media is now beyond rational explanation. A war is being fought in Gaza, which is not easy to accept as a society, but it is a war and not a genocide or ethnic cleansing as is being claimed by the media, activists and political elites. In fact, the most inflammatory claims once fact-checked are inaccurate, false or media spin. It is a war that Hamas and its supporters started on October 7, 2023, and continue to prolong based on perceived Western support and a genocidal policy of destroying the Jewish state. It is a war Hamas could end tomorrow by releasing the hostages and laying down its weapons. The continued weaponisation of language and distortion of words have an impact and have destroyed any chance of a diplomatic solution to this conflict. The constant criticism of Israel as the only protagonist and the spread of inaccurate accusations has emboldened not only Hamas, but every anti-Israel group across society. This is now manifesting in the increase in acts of intimidation, violence and murder directed towards Jews and Israelis. Chris Harbidge, Harold's Cross, Dublin After camogie decision, choice should now be in hands of pupils in schools If the Camogie Association can modernise its dress code for greater mobility, what's stopping schools from doing the same? At 15, I successfully campaigned for the option to wear trousers in my secondary school. I immediately switched to cycling – getting there faster and stress-free. Fifty years later, I still cycle regularly (with waterproof over-trousers when it rains), but now I find myself campaigning again – this time for my granddaughters. This week, Irish citizens are funding a new government campaign to encourage children to be more active. With €1m a day in public funds spent on active travel (Irish Independent, September 9, 2022), why are many schoolgirls still forced into skirts – impractical, unsafe and a barrier to cycling? This outdated rule discourages use of the very transport infrastructure their parents' taxes help fund. Only one in 250 teenage girls cycle daily (An Taisce, AndSheCycles). The Road Safety Authority advises cyclists to wear clothes that won't catch in chains or obscure visibility. Skirts, especially in wind, do both. Schools mandating skirts are ignoring these safety concerns. Let's retire outdated uniform rules that undermine girls' health, safety and mobility. Orla Farrell, address with editor Shortage of Irish players in top sphere unlikely to be remedied any time soon Last Saturday (Irish Independent, Sport, May 17) your soccer correspondent highlighted the fact that for the past nine years no Republic of Ireland player had played in the English FA Cup final, with Damien Delaney in 2016 the last to do so. This contrasts with the 1978 final between Ipswich and Arsenal when eight Irish players participated, and the 1980 final between West Ham and Arsenal when six played, albeit that a minority of them were from Northern Ireland. The position is not likely to change any time soon given that eight Republic of Ireland players in the league have seen their clubs relegated to the Championship this season, which leaves three players – Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford) and Matt Doherty (Wolves) – who could be considered regulars during the past season attached to clubs for next season's Premier League with perhaps Josh Cullen, promoted with Burnley, joining that list. James Healy, Highfield Park, Galway Name for new children's hospital must be inclusive and represent the island The name of the new children's hospital in Dublin must embrace all the children of Ireland. The All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network is a collaborative healthcare initiative between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This recently established network aims to provide comprehensive and high-quality care for children with congenital heart disease. Much co-operation has gone into its establishment, with surgery and interventional procedures now centred at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) in Crumlin. Other collaborative initiatives are anticipated. The peaceful future of our country requires 'hands across the Border'. Has Royal Belfast Children's Hospital been involved in the choice of the name? Have political sensitivities of Northern families been considered? Let our children lead us into that future by choosing an inclusive name for their hospital, such as the Ireland Children's Hospital. I believe Dr Kathleen Lynn would approve.
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Innate Pharma Highlights Durable Responses to Lacutamab in Sezary Syndrome and Mycosis Fungoides
MARSEILLE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA) (' Innate ' or the ' Company ') today announced the presentation of long-term follow-up data from the Phase 2 TELLOMAK clinical trial evaluating lacutamab, an anti-KIR3DL2 monoclonal antibody, in patients with Sézary syndrome (SS) and mycosis fungoides (MF), two rare and aggressive forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The results will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting, in Chicago, Illinois. Lacutamab was recently granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Sézary syndrome, underscoring its potential to address critical needs in advanced CTCL. As of October 17, 2024, data cut-off, lacutamab demonstrated compelling and sustained clinical activity in heavily pretreated patients, with a global ORR of 42.9% for SS and 19.6% for MF. With longer follow-up, we observed improved median duration of response of 25.6 months in SS and 13.8 months in MF, highlighting the durability of responses in these challenging indications 1. In addition, lacutamab was very well tolerated supporting the strong rationale for further investigations in combination beyond CTCL, especially in combination with other anti-lymphoma agents in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL). ' Patients with advanced mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome often face a poor prognosis and limited treatment options after multiple prior lines of therapy,' said Prof. Pierluigi Porcu, Director, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Health, Philadelphia and principal investigator of the TELLOMAK trial. ' The durability and depth of responses observed with lacutamab in this study are highly promising and represent a significant advancement for this patient population.' ' The long-term follow-up data from the TELLOMAK clinical study confirms lacutamab's meaningful clinical benefit in Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides and were the basis of the FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation. We are encouraged by these results and are actively preparing a Phase 3 trial in collaboration with health authorities to bring this promising therapy to patients as swiftly as possible,' added Dr Sonia Quaratino, Chief Medical Officer of Innate Pharma. 1 Compared to results previously presented at ASH 2023 and ASCO 2024. Efficacy results in SS patients (Data cut-off: OCT 17, 2024) Efficacy results in MF patients (Data cut-off: OCT 17, 2024) Best Response All MF N=107 KIR3DL2 ≥1% N=48 KIR3DL2 <1% N=59 CR (complete response), N (%) 3 (2.8) 3 (6.3) 0 (0.0) PR (partial response), N (%) 18 (16.8) 7 (14.6) 11 (18.6) SD (stable disease), N (%) 71 (66.4) 30 (62.5) 41 (69.5) PD (progressive disease), N (%) 13 (12.1) 6 (12.5) 7 (11.9) ORR (Objective Response Rate), % [95%CI] Olsen 2011 19.6 [13.2, 28.1] 20.8 [11.7, 34.3] 18.6 [10.7, 30.4] ORR, % [95%CI] Olsen 2022 24.3 [17.2, 33.2] 29.2 [18.2, 43.2] 20.3 [12.0, 32.3] Time to response, months, median (range) 2.8 (1-37) 1.0 (1-5) 2.8 (1-37) DoR, months, median [95% CI] 13.8 [7.4, NE] 13.8 [4.6, NE] 15.7 [5.1, NE] PFS, months, median [95% CI] 10.2 [8.0, 15.4] 11.8 [5.6, 16.8] 9.5 [6.5, 16.6] Expand Abstract details: Abstract: 2522 Abstract Title: Lacutamab in patients with relapsed and refractory Sézary syndrome: Long term follow-up from the TELLOMAK phase 2 trial Session Type: Poster Session Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy Session Date and Time: Monday June 2, 2025 – 1:30 – 4:30 PM CDT Abstract: 2523 Abstract Title: Lacutamab in patients with relapsed and/or refractory mycosis fungoides: Long-term follow-up and translational data from the TELLOMAK phase 2 trial Session Type: Poster Session Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy Session Date and Time: Monday June 2, 2025 – 1:30 – 4:30 PM CDT About Lacutamab Lacutamab is a first-in-class anti-KIR3DL2 humanized cytotoxicity-inducing antibody that is currently in clinical trials for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), an orphan disease, and peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). Rare cutaneous lymphoma of T lymphocytes have a poor prognosis with few efficacious and safe therapeutic options at advanced stages. KIR3DL2 is an inhibitory receptor of the KIR family, expressed by approximately 65% of patients across all CTCL subtypes and expressed by up to 90% of patients with certain aggressive CTCL subtypes, in particular, Sézary syndrome. KIR3DL2 is expressed in up to 50% of patients with mycosis fungoides and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). It has a restricted expression on normal tissues. Lacutamab has been granted European Medicines Agency (EMA) PRIME designation, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory Sézary syndrome who have received at least two prior systemic therapies. Lacutamab is granted orphan drug status in the European Union and the United States for the treatment of CTCL. Lacutamab has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. About TELLOMAK TELLOMAK (NCT03902184) is a global, open-label, multi-cohort Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides (MF) in the United States and Europe. Specifically: Cohort 1: lacutamab being evaluated as a single agent in approximately 60 patients with Sézary syndrome who have received at least two prior systemic therapies, including mogamulizumab. The Sézary syndrome cohort of the study could enable the registration of lacutamab in this indication. Cohort 2: lacutamab being evaluated as a single agent in patients with MF that express KIR3DL2, as determined at baseline with a Simon 2-stage design. Cohort 3: lacutamab being evaluated as a single agent in patients with MF that do not express KIR3DL2, as determined at baseline, with a Simon-2 stage design. All comers: lacutamab being evaluated as a single agent in patients with both KIR3DL2 expressing and non-expressing MF to explore the correlation between the level of KIR3DL2 expression and treatment outcomes utilizing a formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) assay under development as a companion diagnostic. The trial is fully enrolled. The primary endpoint of the trial is objective global response rate. Key secondary endpoints are progression-free survival, duration of response, overall survival, quality of life, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity and adverse events. About Innate Pharma Innate Pharma S.A. is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies for cancer patients. Its innovative approach aims to harness the innate immune system through three therapeutic approaches: multi-specific NK Cell Engagers via its ANKET ® (Antibody-based NK cell Engager Therapeutics) proprietary platform and Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Innate's portfolio includes several ANKET ® drug candidates to address multiple tumor types as well as IPH4502, a differentiated ADC in development in solid tumors. In addition, anti-KIR3DL2 mAb lacutamab is developed in advanced form of cutaneous T cell lymphomas and peripheral T cell lymphomas, and anti-NKG2A mAb monalizumab is developed with AstraZeneca in non-small cell lung cancer. Innate Pharma is a trusted partner to biopharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi and AstraZeneca, as well as leading research institutions, to accelerate innovation, research and development for the benefit of patients. Headquartered in Marseille, France with a US office in Rockville, MD, Innate Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris and Nasdaq in the US. Learn more about Innate Pharma at Follow us on LinkedIn and X. Information about Innate Pharma shares Disclaimer on forward-looking information and risk factors This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including those within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of certain words, including 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'can,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'may,' 'might,' 'potential,' 'should,' 'will,' or the negative of these and similar expressions, is intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including related to safety, progression of and results from its ongoing and planned clinical trials and preclinical studies, review and approvals by regulatory authorities of its product candidates, the Company's reliance on third parties to manufacture its product candidates, the Company's commercialization efforts and the Company's continued ability to raise capital to fund its development. For an additional discussion of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors ('Facteurs de Risque") section of the Universal Registration Document filed with the French Financial Markets Authority ('AMF'), which is available on the AMF website or on Innate Pharma's website, and public filings and reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent filings and reports filed with the AMF or SEC, or otherwise made public by the Company. References to the Company's website and the AMF website are included for information only and the content contained therein, or that can be accessed through them, are not incorporated by reference into, and do not constitute a part of, this press release. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by the Company or any other person that the Company will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified time frame or at all. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to shares in Innate Pharma in any country.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
The tiny detail that unmasked fleeing Nazi monster Heinrich Himmler... before he committed suicide with hidden cyanide and was buried by British troops in an unmarked grave that remains hidden to this day
As the right-hand man of Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler was perhaps the most feared man in Nazi Germany. Under his command, the monsters of the SS had carried out unspeakable horrors, not least the murder of millions of Jews in the Holocaust. But on May 22, 1945, Himmler - who had been on the run with two SS henchmen after the Nazi surrender to the Allies - was stopped by British troops in northern Germany. Wearing an eye patch and posing as a lowly sergeant called Heinrich Hizinger, Himmler had handed over his false identity documents in the hope that they would pass muster. Instead, he was given away by a stamp that his own people had placed on the document. British military intelligence had already spotted it being used by members of the SS who were trying to flee, and so Himmler was held. The following day, having been taken to a detention camp, he made the stunning admission to his captors that he was Heinrich Himmler, the most wanted man in Germany. It was a fantastic result. The hunt for one of the world's most wanted Nazis was at an end less than a month after Adolf Hitler's suicide, and it was the British who had pulled it off. Wearing an eye patch and posing as a lowly sergeant called Heinrich Hizinger, Himmler had handed over his false identity documents (above) in the hope that they would pass muster. But he was held after British troops spotted a stamp that British military intelligence had already spotted being used by members of the SS who were trying to flee But what happened next was catastrophic. Medical officer Captain CJ 'Jimmie' Wells was asked to check Himmler. The examination initially proceeded as normal. Knowing that he might have a cyanide capsule hidden somewhere, Captain Wells looked at Himmler's chest, between his buttocks, inside his nostrils and ears and between his toes and fingers. Two capsules had been found about his person. So when it came to checking his mouth, Himmler realised the game was up. Having seen that Captain Wells had spotted the blue capsule hidden in the corner of his mouth, Himmler clamped down on his finger. After a struggle, Himmler wrenched himself away and then cracked open the capsule with his teeth. It was 11.14pm. Within minutes, Himmler - now in agony - would be dead. Describing the disaster, Captain Wells later wrote: 'The dramatic rapidity of death I anticipated but slightly. 'There were a slowing series of stertorous breaths which may have continued for half a minute, and the pulse for another minute after that. 'The stench coming from Himmler's mouth was unmistakably that of hydrocyanic, and the dose must have been enough to kill an elephant.' He added: 'I felt a vague surge of distinct anger. Not because I had been outwitted but oddly enough because of a feeling of contempt and disgust that a man in his position should choose this way out from the wreck and torture which he had had such a large hand in creating. 'I could not see a Churchill or Montgomery, or a thousand others, under any circumstances even contemplating such an action.' In 2011, a startling unseen image of Himmler's corpse emerged. It had been taken by one of the SS chief's interrogators, Corporal Guy Adderley of the Military Intelligence Corps. Taken just minutes after his death, it showed him lying backwards with his glasses on his face and his hands resting on his stomach. Adderley's family had been set to sell the image at auction, but then withdrew it. Himmler's fake documents came to light in 2020 after being donated to the Military Intelligence Museum in Shefford, Bedfordshire, by the great niece of former wartime intelligence agent Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Noakes. Experts believe that he may have been one of two MI5 interrogators who questioned Himmler before he was medically examined. Himmler's suicide made the front page of the Mail. Under the headline, 'Himmler Poisons Himself Inside British HQ', the story said: 'Heinrich Himmler, once the most-feared man in Europe, committed suicide at four minutes past eleven last night at the headquarters of the British Second Army. 'To-night the body of this man, architect of the horror camps, Chief of Hitler's police, and Minister of the Interior, lies in the red-roofed villa which is the army headquarters. 'Grey faced, bespectacled, the thin-lipped face turned to the ceiling, half covered with a grey British blanket. 'The body is collarless and is clothed in a British Army shirt, Army slacks, and Army socks.' The BBC said in a German-language broadcast: 'The most devilish figure which Nazism created has committed suicide. 'Ad head of the Gestapo and the SS, he was responsible for the atrocities inside the concentration camps. He topped the list of the war criminals'. Moscow Radio announced: 'The Devil's lieutenant has returned to his master'. The BBC said in a German-language broadcast: 'The most devilish figure which Nazism created has committed suicide. 'Ad head of the Gestapo and the SS, he was responsible for the atrocities inside the concentration camps. He topped the list of the war criminals'. Responsibility for burying Himmler's corpse fell to four British soldiers. They took it to an unmarked grave on Luneburg Heath. The Mail reported on May 26, 1945: 'Himmler's body was buried in a secret, nameless grave on the edge of the heath here at dusk this evening. 'A small party of British soldiers carried the blanket-swathed body to the heath and dug the grave. 'An Army chaplain said the last rites as the body was lowered. The grave was immediately filled in and left unmarked.' With the precise location of his remains kept top secret to this day, conspiracy theories about Himmler's fate have abounded. Some have suggested that he lived for years beyond his supposed capture, and that the man who fell into British hands was a mere lookalike. It has also been claimed that Himmler was murdered by British agents to keep secret the alleged fact he had been negotiating with the Allies behind Hitler's back. The notion that there were talks and that they went on for months is not backed by substantive evidence.
