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Hitler’s diaries

The Hitler Diaries Hoax was one of the most infamous forgeries in modern history, involving the discovery and publication of…

By Staff , in Hoaxes , at September 8, 2024

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The Hitler Diaries Hoax was one of the most infamous forgeries in modern history, involving the discovery and publication of purported diaries written by Adolf Hitler. The hoax unfolded in 1983, when the German magazine Stern announced that it had acquired a set of 60 volumes of Hitler’s private diaries. The diaries, however, were later revealed to be fake, causing a major scandal that embarrassed several prominent media outlets and historians.

Background
Origins of the Hoax:
Konrad Kujau: The Hitler Diaries were the creation of a German forger named Konrad Kujau. Kujau had a history of selling Nazi memorabilia, much of which he had fabricated himself. He saw an opportunity to exploit the continued fascination with Hitler and Nazi Germany by forging what he claimed were Hitler’s private diaries.

The Idea: In the late 1970s, Kujau began producing the fake diaries, meticulously writing them in a style that he believed matched Hitler’s handwriting. Kujau also fabricated documents and letters to create a backstory for how the diaries had supposedly survived World War II.

Story of the Crash: Kujau invented a story that the diaries had been recovered from the wreckage of a plane crash in Saxony in April 1945, shortly before Hitler’s death. According to the narrative, the diaries had been smuggled out of Germany and kept hidden for decades.

Selling the Diaries
Contacting Stern: In the early 1980s, Kujau, working through a middleman named Gerd Heidemann, a journalist for Stern, convinced the magazine that he had access to the long-lost diaries of Adolf Hitler. Heidemann, who was fascinated with Nazi memorabilia and had his own contacts in that world, became deeply involved in the scheme.

Stern Buys the Diaries: Stern was eager to secure what it believed would be one of the most significant historical finds of the 20th century. In 1983, the magazine paid Kujau and Heidemann about 9.3 million Deutsche Marks (around $3.7 million USD at the time) for 60 volumes of the supposed diaries. Stern planned to serialize the diaries and expected them to cause a global sensation.

Publication and Initial Reception
Sensational Announcement:
April 1983: On April 25, 1983, Stern held a press conference to announce the discovery of Hitler’s diaries. The announcement caused a media frenzy, with major outlets from around the world, including The Times of London and Newsweek, partnering with Stern to publish excerpts and analyze the content of the diaries.

Expert Authentication: Before publication, Stern had sought the opinion of several historians and handwriting experts, including the British historian Hugh Trevor-Roper (Lord Dacre), who initially endorsed the diaries as authentic. Trevor-Roper’s endorsement lent significant credibility to the claim, as he was one of the foremost authorities on Hitler and the Nazi era.

Initial Excitement:
Global Attention: The revelation of Hitler’s diaries made headlines worldwide. Many people were eager to learn more about Hitler’s personal thoughts, particularly in the final years of World War II. The diaries were expected to shed light on his decision-making, inner circle, and perhaps provide insights into his state of mind as the war came to a disastrous end for Nazi Germany.

The Exposure of the Hoax
Early Doubts:
Skepticism Emerges: Despite the initial excitement, skepticism quickly began to surface. Several historians and journalists questioned the authenticity of the diaries, pointing out inconsistencies in the handwriting and the content. Some passages were historically inaccurate, and there were peculiarities in the language and style that did not match Hitler’s known writings.

Forensic Analysis: Under pressure to verify the authenticity of the diaries, forensic experts were brought in to conduct a more thorough analysis. These experts found significant problems. One of the most damning pieces of evidence came from the paper and ink used in the diaries. Laboratory tests showed that both the paper and glue used to bind the diaries contained materials that were manufactured after 1945, proving that the diaries could not have been written by Hitler.

Public Debunking
May 6, 1983: On May 6, 1983, just weeks after Stern’s initial announcement, the West German Federal Archives declared the diaries to be forgeries. The forensic evidence clearly showed that the diaries were not genuine, and the story quickly unraveled. Historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, who had initially endorsed the diaries, publicly reversed his position, admitting that he had been duped.

Immediate Fallout: The hoax caused an immediate and far-reaching scandal. Stern, which had heavily invested in the project and staked its reputation on the diaries, was left deeply embarrassed. The magazine’s credibility suffered, and many of the journalists and editors involved in the story faced harsh criticism.

Legal and Personal Consequences
Arrests and Trials:
Konrad Kujau: The forger Konrad Kujau was arrested shortly after the hoax was exposed. During his trial, he admitted to creating the fake diaries and described how he had made a career out of forging Nazi memorabilia. In 1984, Kujau was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for fraud.

Gerd Heidemann: Gerd Heidemann, the journalist who had acted as the intermediary between Kujau and Stern, was also arrested. He claimed that he had been unaware the diaries were forgeries, but prosecutors argued that he had knowingly participated in the fraud. Heidemann was convicted of embezzling money from Stern and was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Damage to Reputations
Stern Magazine: The scandal seriously damaged Stern’s reputation as a news outlet. Its editors were criticized for their failure to properly authenticate the diaries before publication, and the magazine suffered financial and public relations setbacks.

Hugh Trevor-Roper: Historian Hugh Trevor-Roper faced significant damage to his reputation. As one of the first experts to endorse the diaries as authentic, his involvement lent credibility to the hoax, and his initial support of the forgeries raised questions about his judgment and expertise.

Legacy and Impact
Lessons for Journalism and Academia:
Journalistic Standards: The Hitler Diaries Hoax served as a cautionary tale about the importance of rigorous verification and fact-checking in journalism, particularly when dealing with sensitive or historically significant material. Many media outlets involved in the scandal were criticized for rushing to publish sensational content without thoroughly vetting the source.

Historical Scholarship: For historians, the scandal underscored the need for caution and skepticism when dealing with primary sources, particularly in cases where documents may be too good to be true. The incident also highlighted the dangers of relying on a single expert’s opinion without broader consensus from the academic community.

Cultural and Historical Curiosity
Ongoing Fascination with Hitler: The hoax reflected the ongoing fascination with Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany, even decades after World War II. The desire to uncover new insights into Hitler’s personal life and psyche contributed to the eagerness with which the diaries were initially embraced.

Kujau’s Continued Infamy: Despite the serious consequences of the hoax, Konrad Kujau became something of a minor celebrity after serving his prison sentence. His forgeries, including the fake Hitler diaries, became collectible items in their own right, and Kujau even continued to create forgeries and sell them as “genuine fakes.”

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