Hitler awarding the Hünenkreuz to a model Übermensch, ca. 1942.Adolf Hitler, perhaps the most infamous leader in modern history and one of the most infamous in all of history, has been the subject of extremely many discussions, probably more than any modern leader. Stories related to him range from conspiracy theories like that he didn’t commit suicide in his Berlin bunker in 1945 and that he was possessed by the Devil.
Despite the fact that he lived and died more than 75 years ago, he remains a topic of fascination for many people around the world. However, with so much information available about Hitler, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. In this blog post, we will explore the height of Hitler and dispel some of the myths that have been perpetuated about it over the years. By examining the available evidence, we hope to provide a clearer picture of this controversial figure and shed light on some of the misconceptions that continue to surround him. A common question that does arise; however, is how tall was Hitler?
Hitler Rumors
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The height of Adolf Hitler has been a topic of discussion for many decades, with varying accounts of his actual height. However, it’s important to acknowledge the role of propaganda and misinformation in height narratives surrounding Hitler.
During his reign, Hitler was depicted as a towering figure, with massive rallies and public appearances portraying him as larger-than-life. Nazi propaganda played a significant role in shaping the public’s perception of Hitler’s height, with images and illustrations exaggerating his stature to build a sense of awe and reverence around the dictator.
There have also been many stories related to his physical features, like the popular myth that Hitler only had one testicle. Regarding this story there is no evidence proving this theory, Hitler’s doctor Dr. Theodor Morell, would have known this, and he certainly never made any record of this.
Adolf Hitler’s Physical Features
Hitler’s physical features are often of interest in debates about the German leader, which is probably due to his ideology of creating an ultimate Aryan race. Most people probably know about what the Nazis considered to be an ideal man, blonde hair and blue eyes. That is probably why people are so interested in things like how tall was Hitler.
Ironically enough, Adolf Hitler didn’t fit into the Aryan profile at all. According to the Nazi ideology the ultimate Aryan was tall, had a strong body and a strong mind, and the most famous part, which most people probably know, was blond hair and blue eyes. In that regard, Hitler wasn’t Aryan at all, other than having blue eyes.
How Tall Was Hitler Really?
While a lot of details about Hitler’s life are subject to speculation, in regard to how tall was Hitler there is evidence to prove his real height. There is a record from the Austrian Army pointing out that Hitler was probably 173cm (5’8 feet). Another indicator of his height is that Hitler, when talking with Manfred Rommel, (Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s son) could comfortably look him in the eye. Since Rommel was 5’6 (167cm) that would indicate that Hitler was at least his height or probably a little taller which means that the measurement from the Austrian Army is probably correct.
Height of Hitler compared to other WW2 Leaders:
| Leader | Height |
|---|---|
| Adolf Hitler | Around 5’8″ (173 cm) |
| Winston Churchill | Around 5’6″ (168 cm) |
| Franklin D. Roosevelt | Around 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Joseph Stalin | Around 5’4″ (162 cm) |
| Benito Mussolini | Around 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Hirohito (Emperor of Japan) | Around 5’4″ (162 cm) |
Propaganda and Misinformation in height narratives
The height of Adolf Hitler has been a topic of discussion for many decades, with varying accounts of his actual height. However, it’s important to acknowledge the role of propaganda and misinformation in height narratives surrounding Hitler.
During his reign, Hitler was depicted as a towering figure, with massive rallies and public appearances portraying him as larger-than-life. Nazi propaganda played a significant role in shaping the public’s perception of Hitler’s height, with images and illustrations exaggerating his stature to build a sense of awe and reverence around the dictator.
Furthermore, misinformation surrounding Hitler’s height has been perpetuated through various sources, including biographies and historical accounts. Some of these accounts have attributed a height of 6’2″ to Hitler, which has been debunked by various sources and is likely a result of Nazi propaganda and exaggeration.
It’s important to approach accounts of Hitler’s height with a critical eye, considering the historical context and the role of propaganda and misinformation in shaping public perception. By separating fact from fiction, we can gain a more accurate understanding of Hitler’s physical appearance and the ways in which propaganda was used to manipulate public opinion during his regime.
Historical Context of Height Obsession
Height obsession has been present in human history for centuries. It is not a new phenomenon, and it is not exclusive to Hitler or his followers. In many cultures, height has been considered a symbol of power, strength, and dominance. For example, the ancient Greeks admired tall and muscular men, believing that they were superior to shorter men. Similarly, in medieval Europe, knights were usually tall and strong, and their height was associated with their fighting prowess.
In Hitler’s case, height obsession was closely linked to his belief in Aryan supremacy. He believed that the Aryan race was superior to all other races and that physical traits such as height, hair color, and eye color were indicators of racial superiority. He often referred to tall, blond, and blue-eyed men as the ideal Aryan type, and he believed that they were destined to rule the world.
However, it is important to note that height obsession was not the sole motivation behind Hitler’s ideology. It was just one aspect of a much larger and more complex worldview that included racism, nationalism, and anti-Semitism. To understand Hitler’s beliefs and actions, we need to look at the historical context in which they arose and the social, economic, and political factors that contributed to their development.
How Hitler used height to His Advantage
One of the lesser-known tactics that Hitler used to his advantage was his height. He was known for standing on a platform or raising the podium during public speeches, which gave him an even greater sense of authority and made him appear larger than life in the eyes of his followers.
Hitler’s official height was recorded at 5’9″, which was considered average for a man at the time. However, he often wore thick-soled boots and even added lifts to them to increase his height. This added to his commanding presence and helped him to stand out in a crowd.
In addition to physical height, Hitler also used psychological tactics to project an aura of power and control. He would often speak in a loud, forceful voice and use dramatic hand gestures to emphasize his points. He would also use repetition and simple language to make his message more memorable and impactful.
Could Hitler have Served in the SS?
Hitler once remarked that if the requiting standards for the Waffen-SS were applied to him he couldn’t join the SS. Since the height requirements for the SS changed from year to year that doesn’t prove or disprove theories regarding his height. In 1938 the requirement for joining the SS was 6′ (182.88 cm), but that was changed to 5’9″ (175.26cm) in 1940. Despite that requirement, the smaller SS men were still able to join the Pioneers (combat engineers) if they were taller than 168cm (5’6).
Hitler wasn’t really short, he was of average height but he had a similar problem to Napoleon, who was above average height for his time period, but he was often seen with his Imperial Guard, who were all above average height so that lead to the perception that he was short. Hitler on the other hand was of average height but all of his generals were taller than him, so that might have led to the perception of how tall (or short) Hitler really was.
Height and Personality: Debunking the Correlation
One of the most common misconceptions about Adolf Hitler is that his height played a significant role in his rise to power. Hitler was reported to be 5 feet 8 inches tall, which was considered the average height for a man at the time. However, many people believe that his lack of height caused him to develop an inferiority complex and a need for power and domination.
This belief, however, has been debunked by historians and psychologists alike. Height does not have a significant correlation with personality traits, and there is no evidence that suggests that shorter people are more prone to developing feelings of inferiority or a desire for power. In fact, there are many examples of successful leaders who were shorter than average, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, who was famously short but still managed to conquer much of Europe and establish himself as a powerful ruler.
