[Blomberg's logical successor to the post of Minister of War] was Fritsch, who was far more opposed to the Führer's policy. Göring had come to the chancellery prepared for this possibility with another dossier given him by Himmler and Heydrich. It purported to prove that Fritsch had committed criminal homosexual acts with two Hitler Youth and a male prostitute known as Bavarian Joe. Here was a timely excuse to rid himself of a most unco-operative commander-in-chief and Hitler readily availed himself of it. When Göring left the room he must have been elated. In a single stroke Minister of War Blomberg and the best candidate to supplant him had apparently been eliminated, leaving Göring the most likely successor.

[...] [Hitler] called in Hossbach and they discussed a successor. His chief adjutant could see no objection to Fritsch; the evidence must have been manufactured. The two argued until late that evening and as Hossbach was leaving he asked permission to let Fritsch know of the charges against him. Absolutely no, said Hitler, and gave his adjutant a direct order not to do so. Hossbach went directly to General von Fritsch's apartment. The general indignantly denounced the charges. "If Hitler wants to get rid of me," he exclaimed, "then he has only to say the word and I will resign!"

[The next day] Hossbach had the grit to tell Hitler he had disregarded orders and seen Fritsch. Surprisingly the Führer did not lose his temper. He seemed to accept Fritsch's claim of innocence, remarking that there was no reason why he shouldn't be named Minister of War. He went out of his way to praise the general and swear he had no desire to get rid of him. A few hours later, however, Hitler summoned Hossbach and began angrily assailing Fritsch. The adjutant begged him not to act until he had confronted the general in person. Reluctantly the Führer agreed to an interview that evening.

[...] At 5 P.M Keitel was shown into Hitler's study. [...] Whom did Keitel propose? Like Blomberg, he proposed Göring and Hitler again objected. Keitel's next choice was Fritsch. The Führer stepped to his writing desk and came back with an indictment signed by the Minister of Justice charging that officer with a criminal homosexual offense. Hitler admitted suppressing an earlier indictment since he could not bring himself to believe the charge, but the question of succession to the most important military post in the land made it necessary to clear up the matter once and for all. He was going to have a private conversation with Fritsch and ask him point-blank if he was guilty - then watch for his reaction.

This confrontation came late that evening in the Führer's library. Fritsch knew none of the details concerning the alleged homosexuals acts with two Hitler Youth and Bavarian Joe. He thought he was being queried about a silly matter involving two other Hitler Jugend and was indignant that such an innocent affair was being taken seriously. He explained that occasionally he had invited the two boys to dinner and later given them lessons in map reading, and if one was not attentive he would administer a light tap on the rear with a ruler. Hitler had never heard about these two youngsters, and fired Fritsch peremptorily. Before the dazed Fritsch was out of the chancellery Hitler was giving his personal adjutant an excited version of the scene. "Imagine, Wiedemann, all of a sudden it was not only two boys but four he was mixed up with !"

retour haut de page
accueil	textes	photos	archives	liens	actualité	courrier	plan du site	contact	FAQ	forum