Adolf Hitler with Picklehaube in WW1 trenches

This card purports to show Adolf Hitler (extreme left wearing a Pickelhaube helmet) in a dug-out in Flanders during December 1914. Many authoritative historical works show this picture, but its origin is obscure. He took part in the First Battle of Ypres, serving in the area of the Bayernwald near Wijtschate and Messines and painting several water colours of the area. A brief memory of this time is contained in Mein Kampf (My Struggle). He said of his young companions, hey knew how to die like old soldiers. The German caption on the reverse says, Adolf Hitler as duty orderly with the 16th (List) Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment, Flanders

Authoritative Brief Caption Companions Contained Dug-out Extreme Flanders Kampf Knew Mein Memory Messines Obscure Orderly Origin Pickelhaube Purports Says Wijtschate Ypres

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