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Otto GunscheSS officer; SS Sturmbannführer (1944).
Date of Birth: 24.09.1917
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Otto Gunsche
Otto Gunsche was a high-ranking officer in the SS and served as the personal adjutant to Adolf Hitler. He was born on September 24, 1917, in Jena, Germany.
Early Career
In 1936, Gunsche was transferred to the SS escort team. From 1940 to 1941, he served as an ordinary officer. In 1941, he attended the SS Officer Academy in Bad Tölz and was promoted to the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain) upon completion of his training.
Service in World War II
Gunsche participated in the battles on the Eastern Front as the commander of a motorized platoon in the "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler" division. On January 12, 1943, he was appointed as Adolf Hitler's personal adjutant for SS units. In August 1943, Gunsche returned to the Eastern Front. On February 6, 1944, he was recalled to the Führer's Headquarters and once again became Hitler's adjutant. From July 1, 1944, he served in the "Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler" division.
The Final Days
On April 30, 1945, Hitler entrusted Gunsche with a personal task - to burn his body after he had taken his own life. Later that day, Gunsche left the Imperial Chancellery. On May 2, 1945, he was captured by Soviet forces. He was interrogated by SMERSH (Soviet counterintelligence) officers, who demanded information about Hitler's whereabouts.
Post-War Life
In 1950, Gunsche was sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, in 1955, he was transferred to East Germany and released from prison in 1956. Soon after, he fled to West Germany. Gunsche lived a quiet life in the city of Lohmar near Bonn until his death on October 2, 2003.
After his passing, Rochus Misch became the last living witness to Hitler's and Eva Braun's deaths.
