13. The Bunker might have been a ‘concrete coffin’, but Hitler’s own quarters were made as comfortable and luxurious as possible
The Bunker may have been an air raid shelter, but Hitler was still the head of the Third Reich (or at least what was left of it) and so he was treated as such. In fact, the bunker was surprisingly luxurious, at least for the Fuhrer. According to contemporary accounts, Hitler’s private quarters were a long way from the sparse, grey, cell-like rooms his staff were forced to live in. On the contrary, his loyal staff made every effort to make him feel at home, perhaps hopeful that, if he was comfortable, he could mastermind a remarkable military comeback.
To this end, red carpet was put down on the floor of the Bunker’s corridors, ensuring Hitler could walk in comfort from his private quarters to the various meeting rooms and the radio room. The walls of the Bunker, meanwhile, were decorated with paintings, some of them notable and very valuable works of German art. Most importantly of all, a portrait of Frederick the Great was taken from Hitler’s old office and hung up in his makeshift study. It was said that Hitler liked to compare himself to the great Prussian, idolizing him for his strength and military prowess.
