Traudl Junge quotes

Traudl Junge was a German secretary, best known for serving as Adolf Hitler’s personal secretary during World War II. Her memoirs provided a unique and detailed perspective on the final days of the Third Reich. She later expressed regret for her role and ignorance during that period. Here are 7 of her quotes:

Now that I've let go of my story, I can let go of my life.

Traudl Junge

I admit, I was fascinated by Adolf Hitler. He was a pleasant boss and a fatherly friend. I deliberately ignored all the warning voices inside me and enjoyed the time by his side almost until the bitter end. It wasn't what he said, but the way he said things and how he did things.

Traudl Junge

They say something about being safe in the bunker, and how it's almost fun to hear the explosions when they know the bangs can't hurt them. Suddenly there is the sound of a shot, so loud, so close that we all fall silent. It echoes on through all the rooms. "That was a direct hit," cried Helmut [Goebbels] with no idea how right he is. The Fuhrer is dead now.

Traudl Junge

Of course, the terrible things I heard from the Nuremberg Trials, about the six million Jews and the people from other races who were killed, were facts that shocked me deeply. But I wasn't able to see the connection with my own past.

Traudl Junge

Human beings are in this world to learn and to change themselves in learning.

Traudl Junge

And at that moment I actually sensed that it was no excuse to be young, and that it would have been possible to find things out.

Traudl Junge