Wilhelm Burgdorf was born in Fürstenwalde and served as a Commander and Staff Officer in the German Army during the Second World War. One of the most loyal officers to Adolf Hitler in the final months of the war, he committed suicide in the Führerbunker along with his colleague, Chief of Staff Hans Krebs, soon after the suicide of Hitler and Joseph Goebbels. Along with Joseph Goebbels, Hans Krebs and Martin Bormann, Burgdorf witnessed and signed Hitler's political testament.
Commander of the 529th Infantry Regiment from May 1940 till April 1942, the following month he overtook the position of Chief of the Personnel Department of the Army and was promoted to Chief of the Department in October 1944, a position he held until his death. During this last period he also served as Hitler's chief adjutant.
Whilst serving in the latter office, he played a key role in the death of General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Rommel had been implicated as having a peripheral role in the bomb plot of July 20, 1944 in which an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler. Hitler recognized that to haul the most popular general in Germany before a People's Court would cause a scandal throughout Germany and accordingly arranged a face saving manoeuvre.
On October 14, 1944 Burgdorf, along with General Ernst Maisel, arrived at the Rommel home. Instructed by General Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, he offered Rommel a choice - take poison, receive a state funeral and obtain immunity for his family - or face a treason trial. Rommel drove away with Burgdorf and Maisel. His family received a telephone call some fifteen minutes later saying that he had died.
Burgdorf committed suicide in the Führerbunker on 2 May 1945, along with General Hans Krebs at the conclusion of the Battle of Berlin.
Commander of the 529th Infantry Regiment from May 1940 till April 1942, the following month he overtook the position of Chief of the Personnel Department of the Army and was promoted to Chief of the Department in October 1944, a position he held until his death. During this last period he also served as Hitler's chief adjutant.
Whilst serving in the latter office, he played a key role in the death of General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Rommel had been implicated as having a peripheral role in the bomb plot of July 20, 1944 in which an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler. Hitler recognized that to haul the most popular general in Germany before a People's Court would cause a scandal throughout Germany and accordingly arranged a face saving manoeuvre.
On October 14, 1944 Burgdorf, along with General Ernst Maisel, arrived at the Rommel home. Instructed by General Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, he offered Rommel a choice - take poison, receive a state funeral and obtain immunity for his family - or face a treason trial. Rommel drove away with Burgdorf and Maisel. His family received a telephone call some fifteen minutes later saying that he had died.
Burgdorf committed suicide in the Führerbunker on 2 May 1945, along with General Hans Krebs at the conclusion of the Battle of Berlin.
Wilhelm Burgdorf was born in Fürstenwalde and served as a Commander and Staff Officer in the German Army during the Second World War. One of the most loyal officers to Adolf Hitler in the final months of the war, he committed suicide in the Führerbunker along with his colleague, Chief of Staff Hans Krebs, soon after the suicide of Hitler and Joseph Goebbels. Along with Joseph Goebbels, Hans Krebs and Martin Bormann, Burgdorf witnessed and signed Hitler's political testament.
Commander of the 529th Infantry Regiment from May 1940 till April 1942, the following month he overtook the position of Chief of the Personnel Department of the Army and was promoted to Chief of the Department in October 1944, a position he held until his death. During this last period he also served as Hitler's chief adjutant.
Whilst serving in the latter office, he played a key role in the death of General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Rommel had been implicated as having a peripheral role in the bomb plot of July 20, 1944 in which an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler. Hitler recognized that to haul the most popular general in Germany before a People's Court would cause a scandal throughout Germany and accordingly arranged a face saving manoeuvre.
On October 14, 1944 Burgdorf, along with General Ernst Maisel, arrived at the Rommel home. Instructed by General Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, he offered Rommel a choice - take poison, receive a state funeral and obtain immunity for his family - or face a treason trial. Rommel drove away with Burgdorf and Maisel. His family received a telephone call some fifteen minutes later saying that he had died.
Burgdorf committed suicide in the Führerbunker on 2 May 1945, along with General Hans Krebs at the conclusion of the Battle of Berlin.
Commander of the 529th Infantry Regiment from May 1940 till April 1942, the following month he overtook the position of Chief of the Personnel Department of the Army and was promoted to Chief of the Department in October 1944, a position he held until his death. During this last period he also served as Hitler's chief adjutant.
Whilst serving in the latter office, he played a key role in the death of General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Rommel had been implicated as having a peripheral role in the bomb plot of July 20, 1944 in which an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler. Hitler recognized that to haul the most popular general in Germany before a People's Court would cause a scandal throughout Germany and accordingly arranged a face saving manoeuvre.
On October 14, 1944 Burgdorf, along with General Ernst Maisel, arrived at the Rommel home. Instructed by General Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, he offered Rommel a choice - take poison, receive a state funeral and obtain immunity for his family - or face a treason trial. Rommel drove away with Burgdorf and Maisel. His family received a telephone call some fifteen minutes later saying that he had died.
Burgdorf committed suicide in the Führerbunker on 2 May 1945, along with General Hans Krebs at the conclusion of the Battle of Berlin.
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