The end of World War I marked a life-altering chapter in the life of Adolf Hitler—then a little-known corporal. Hitler was blinded by mustard gas during combat in Ypres, Belgium, and was transported 800 kilometers to the Pasewalk Military Psychiatric Hospital in Pomerania, near the Baltic Sea.
The unexpected events that transpired during his month-long stay remain shrouded in mystery. Josh Becker’s Hitler in the Madhouse is a novel that attempts to research and show a glimpse into this pivotal moment in history.
A Journey Worth Questioning
Why was an enlisted corporal, not an officer, given such exceptional treatment in the final days of the war? With Germany in turmoil, the economy in shambles, and resources stretched thin, transporting Hitler so far from the frontlines to a psychiatric facility seems unusual.
According to Becker’s account, Major Anton Freiherr von Tubeuf, a key figure in Hitler’s regiment, personally intervened, ensuring that the blinded and hysterical corporal received specialized care. His influence and insistence suggest a belief in Hitler’s exceptional potential or a desire to protect his wartime reputation.
The question lies in Hitler’s medical condition. He was diagnosed with “hysterical blindness,” a psychosomatic condition unrelated to physical damage; his case confounded doctors.
He was initially examined by Dr. Karl M. Kroner, a Jewish psychiatrist who also suffered mustard gas injuries during the war. Soon, Hitler was placed under Dr. Edmund Forster, a renowned neurophysiologist from Berlin. Dr. Forster’s involvement was in itself questionable, given the strained medical resources of the time.
Inside Pasewalk’s Walls
Becker’s novel takes readers into the strange and unsettling treatment regimen employed during Hitler’s time at Pasewalk. Dr. Forster used cutting-edge and experimental techniques, including administering barbiturates to induce a “controlled coma,” followed by stimulants like pentylenetetrazol, amphetamines, and even cocaine extract to shock Hitler back to mental clarity. These treatments were both risky and reflective of the fledgling state of psychiatry during the early 20th century.
Throughout his therapy, Hitler shared vivid recollections of his upbringing, revealing a troubled relationship with his authoritarian father, an intense devotion to his mother, and ingrained feelings of resentment and inadequacy.
The Transformation
The novel highlights Hitler’s psychological transformation during this period. In early November 1918, shortly after the announcement of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s abdication and Germany’s defeat, Hitler reportedly regained sight. This moment, as depicted by Becker, became a turning point. Hitler resolved to channel his frustrations and perceived betrayals into a new mission, setting the stage for his rise in the postwar chaos.
A Curious Silence
One of the most compelling elements of Becker’s story is the erasure of critical evidence. Dr. Forster’s records, which documented Hitler’s stay at Pasewalk, vanished under suspicious circumstances. Forster himself died under mysterious conditions, officially ruled a suicide.
The loss of these records has fueled decades of speculation about what truly transpired during those 32 days. Did Dr. Forster’s interventions inadvertently shape Hitler’s worldview? Were these records deliberately destroyed to conceal uncomfortable truths? And most hauntingly, what might have happened if Hitler had received different care—or no care at all?
Grab your copy now to learn more.
