Adolf Hitler (Classic)

Adolf Hitler is a character who appeared in Wolfenstein 3-D and is mentioned in Spear of Destiny prequel series. He is also mentioned briefly and appears in paintings in Return to Castle Wolfenstein (though the latter's placement in relation to the 'classic timeline' is somewhat confusing and disputed). In the classic series depending on the versions of the games he has had multiple encounters with William J. Blazkowicz (Classic).

The Ultimate Challenge's placement itself is unclear. It appears to be set in the Fuehrerbunker near the end of the war, possibly related to Hitler's suicide (as told in history in the Spear of Destiny manual), and thus may take place not long after Wolfenstein 3-D (however this would seem to indicate that Hitler was somehow restored again, perhaps by the power of the Spear). Or it could take place directly before Episode 3 of Wolfenstein 3-D (material related to Wolfenstein 3-D claims that Hitler fled his 'bunker' (Fuehrerbunker) to head to the Reichstag would could place Ultimate Challenge between Episode 2 and 3 of the original Wolfenstein 3-D scenario).

For technical and strategic information on the boss battle, see Adolf Hitler (Wolf3D).

Background

In his youth Hitler was ambitious for priesthood. In the Thule Society, Hitler found the perverted beliefs that were to lead him to power and have such a devastating effect on the world. It was the members of the Thule Society who became the foundation of the Nazi Party.

Rise to Power

By the mid 1930's, Germany was tired of paying the extensive war reparations that Europe exacted on them in hopes that a strong Germany would never rise again. The starving nation was finished paying. Adolf Hitler became popular with the people with the help of Dr. Joseph Goebbels, and Führer came into power, in 1933. Hitler's personal body guards, became the SS, the Shutzstaffel (Elite Guard), replacing the earlier SA.

Through the assistance of Adolf Hitler a strong Germany rose once again. In return, the German people viewed their Führer as a savior, a role he readily accepted. For his help, Hitler made Goebbels his Reich Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda.

Adolph Hitler rose to power with the power of cold steel and hot lead. He was determined to mold his Fatherland into a glorious Third Reich--A new holy empire. As a youth he was ambitious for priesthood, but as an adult he set his sites on loftier goals. Comparing himself to the Messiah and claiming to speak the will of God, he fell deeper into his own twisted occult mentality. A psychotic desire to be the Second Coming lead him to quest for all the legendary icons of Christianity.

The artifact that Hitler coveted the most was the Spear of Destiny. Hitler became determined to retrieve it from Versailles where it had been held after it had been taken from Germany, after WW1. In 1939, during the blitzkrieg or lightning war, the spear was quietly taken from Versailles and shipped to a stronghold in Germany, where it became Hitler's most prized possession. With it, he believed himself to be invincible. Letting Providence dictate his course, he sent his armies across Europe with the conviction of a madman and "the assurance of a sleep-walker." The the stage was set for a holy war.

Tyranny Rises

Over the next five years (1939-1944), Hitler's bloody whims were unleashed upon the world, as millions died on the battlefields and in concentration camps. And, with the Spear at Hitler's side, it appeared that the nazis were invincible. Nothing could withstand the awesome power of the blitzkrieg and millions fell prey to Hitler's armies.

In 1943, an attempt on Hitler's life failed due to a defective detonator. On March 13, 1943. Heinz Brandt unsuspectingly took a package containing a time-delayed bomb aboard the Fuehrer's plane. However, Hitler arrived safely.

Spear of Destiny

To protect the Spear, Hitler had made a blood pact with the Angel of Death, promising the souls of his Nazi soldiers. In return, Death guarded the Spear as for as long as Hitler was alive. For anyone to take it from the evil angel, they had to prove their worth by destroying the demon in Hell (in his lair the Death Dimension), guarded by ghostly phantoms with an appetite for human flesh.

Blazkowicz fought many great foes of the castle, who fought and died to defend the holy relic, to keep Hitler's twisted dream alive. But in the end defeated the demon, and captured the Spear. With the Spear gone, it was hoped the Third Reich would fall, never to rise again. B.J. returned to the United States with the spear, where it was kept under tight security.

Return to Danger

Six weeks later, Hitler, still desperate for the Spear, sent Major Hans "The Axe" von Schlieffen and a group of 23 Storm Troopers to the U.S. to regain the Spear and the power he was seeking. He orders his forces to recapture the spear. Hitler's henchmen stole the Spear from American soil. After a bloody battle, only Hans managed to narrowly escape and make it back alive, with the Spear to the Nazi's Secret Scandinavian Base. Hitler had the new base built to carry out Atomic Research.

Over the next year (c. 1944 or 1945), three intelligence agents died trying to infiltrate his headquarters trying to get the spear back. The U.S. intelligence agents had discovered that the Spear of Destiny was located in the uppermost floor of the Research Lab, and was closely guarded. As well as proof of an Atomic Research Lab was also found.

Blazkowicz was sent by Admiral Powell to stop Hitler's plans once again. He manages to stop the Atomic research. But upon recapturing the Spear he is transported to a fantasy world of terror, where he faced Hitler's most powerful fiend -- the Devil Incarnate. The creature fought the hero using atomic weapon blasts, and was guarded by the ghosts of dead SS. He defeated the creature saving the Spear and foiling Hitler's plans of World Domination. But the Spear wouldn't remain Allied hands for long...

The Claw of Eisenfaust (Original Encounter)

After his forces had suffered several Allied defeats, the nexus of the master state...Hitler, fled to Castle Wolfenstein. William B.J. Blazkowicz had searched for him in bunkers from Normandy to Bern, but discovered the location he had fled to. The castle was a titanic fortress in a forgotten province imperious to invasion...except for Blazkowicz.

Hitler was defeated by Blazkowicz for the first time after making it past Hitler's numerous guards and crack-shot officers to reach the final confrontation, where Hitler was ready for him in mecha suit, I.E. MechaHitler.

It was thought that the war had ended, and that millions of human beings were alive who would otherwise be dead, and that the most terrible war in history had been won by the Allies. However, Hitler had survived... and he fled again to the Fuehrerbunker.

The Ultimate Challenge

Hitler, learning from his past mistakes, became more paranoid than ever expanding his subterranean command bunker beneath the Chancellery in Berlin so that he could keep the Spear of Destny nearby and well-guarded. The Fuehrerbunker was excavated and expanded to carry out the development of future weapons systems.

The Fuerhrerbunker was the original two floors of Hitler's command bunker, before it was expanded. Hitler choosing to keep the Spear closest to him, moved it there to be kept. It was crawling with Nazis that were death-bound to prevent the loss of the Spear of Destiny.

The upper level is where the Spear was kept, guarded by a Robot. In pursuing the fulfillment of his twisted dream, Hitler called upon the dark forces of the occult. With his inner circle of advisors he arranged for a secret meeting during which he held a séance.

Hitler and his advisors gathered in the map room of the Fuererbunker (Leader's Bunker), Hitler's subterranean headquarters below the Chancellery in Berlin. Clutching hands, the group circled slowly to the left while changing to attract evil influences. Hitler spoke loudly as the chanting continued...

"ABIGOR! Demon of darkness...

Commander of sixty infernal legions.... who sees the future and knows all of the secrets of war! I call on you now!"

A heaviness took over the air... Then a green mist started to form. The mist was stil at first -- then it slowly began circling the room. The mist became denser and swirled with increasing power. After it had risen to the center of the room, it became blinding light, and shooting out a lightning bolt thrusting all the men to the ground. It formed into the image of a warrior on a winged horse, the warrior with a deep, unearthly voice asked who beckoned him.

I, Hitler Fuehrer of Germany, call upon you!

It asked what Hitler was seeking.

Hitler wanted to be taught the secrets of war... that allowed the demon to glimpse into the future and learn of the most powerful and devastating weapons of warfare.

The demon asked if he possessed the Spear. Hitler responded that he did. The demon confirmed that the spear would provide what he sought, it would empower his vision, as long as he possessed the spear, his quest would be fulfilled. Calling upon the dark forces of the occult, Hitler could see into the future and obtain the plans to future weapon systems.

Many Allied intelligence agents tried to infiltrate the bunker but failed. Finally, Blazkowicz was sent in to stop Hitler's dream of world domination again, the fate of the world resting in his hands again.

Blazkowicz managed to defeat the guardian ROBOT, but Abigor's spell transported him to the future, where he fought a demon (in the form of the Devil Incarnate again). Abigor's admiration of Hitler's demented plans had prompted him to order the Devil Incarnate to help Hitler protect the Spear.

The defeat of the Devil Incarnate again, broke Abigor's spell and Hitler's plans were useless. Unable to see the future, Hitler was not able to complete the development of future weapons systems. The fate of the World was saved by Blazkowicz again.

Second Encounter

Following an escape by Blazkowicz, and the destruction of Dr. Schabbs and the Eisenfaust project, the Führer's plans for creating an army of undead was crushed.

Hitler supported Himmler's plan to resurrect Heinrich I, ancient king of Germany and the First Reich. As early as July 1942, the Allies drew up plans for Operation Return to Castle Wolfenstein in an attempt to infiltrate and stop the Nazi's latest plans.

When Himmler's plan failed in March 1943 at Blazkowick's hands, Hitler sent a plane to Wolfenstein/Wulfburg/Paderborn region to take Himmler back to Berlin. The Fuhrer expected his arrival.

Hitler's dreams had been vanquished again and again, Hitler sunk even deeper into his twisted evil mentality. Bent on the destruction of the free world, Hitler became increasingly desperate, and thousands died as Adolf lead his armies into suicide campaigns.

It was believed the only way to stop this annihilation was to confront Hitler himself. Either the Führer would be defeated, or his ruinous campaign would continue. Hitler hid in his titanic bunker as the Third Reich crumbled about him.

Blazkowicz was ordered to assassinate him, and end his mad reign. He had searched for him in his bunker, but discovered he had escaped to the Reichstag, a titanic building designed to defend against such attacks, and it was there he must confront the tyrant.

Again, he had to make it past numerous guards, tough SS, and crack-shot officers, all the way to his final confrontation with Hitler. Again, Hitler was ready for him.

After the long battle, he fell under the heat of righteous bullets. The free world was saved from hateful tyranny! Long die Hitler! The absolute incarnation of evil, Adolf Hitler, lie at the feet of Blazkowicz in a pool of his own blood. His wrinkled, crimson-splattered visage still strained, a jagged-toothed rictus trying to cry out. Insane even in death. With his lips pinched in bitter victory, Blazkowicz kicked Hitler's head of his remains and spit on this corpse. "Sieg heil ... huh. Sieg hell."

End of the War

It is finally captured by Allied Forces hopefully for the last time from Nuremberg on April 28, 1945 by General Patton. On the same day Hitler committed suicide in the Fuhrerbunker with his new wife, Eva Braun. It was fabled that the U.S. was destined to succeed Germany as the New World Power once ownership of the spear changed.

Personality and traits

The powers of Hitler include the ability to deceive, and the ability to create an unbeatable war machine. These characterizations are personified in the form of the Fake Hitlers and MechaHitler.

His Fake Hitlers were a clever deception, positioned throughout Hitler's Sanctum as his first line of defense, their real intent was to weaken and rain invaders of their ammunition. Each carried a flamethrower, slow but packed a heart-stopping punch, designed to make his enemies flambé. These dummies wear scary black robes, flown around on wires, with a flamethrower mounted in their chests.

When he expects enemy visitors he dresses for the occasion. Encased in head to toe in heavy armor, he prepares his surprise for his enemies. The MechaHitler has four chainguns and carries more armor than a Tiger tank. Slow and difficult to bring down. If he loses his armor, he won't go down without a fight, choosing to carry two chainguns.

The famous Hitler Salute was performed when Nazis greeted each other. Originally, Hitler had instituted a traditional military salute, hand to cap. However, the young Storm Troopers of the SA (precursors to the SS), had no military training and found the regular salute too much effort and started greeting their comrades with a wave of the hand! As it developed, the salute stiffened into a quick upward thrust, typically accompanied with the phrase "Heil Hitler!".

A violently active, dominating, brutal youth - that is what I'm after. Youth must be indifferent to pain... I will have no intellectual training. Knowledge is ruin to my young men". -Adolf Hitler

The Totenkopf instituted by Heinrich Himmler becomes the symbol of recognition and loyalty to Hitler and his ideals.

There were several attempts on Hitler's life, one on March 13, 1943, An attempt on Hitler's life is made. Henning von Tresckow asked Col. Heinz Brandt to take brandy on Hitler's plane. The attempt failed due to a faulty detonator. And another on July 20th, 1944: An agent attempts to kill Adolf Hitler with a bomb (both references to historical events, the latter is also a reference to Beyond Castle Wolfenstein). He survived both, and several other attempts on his life. It suggests that Wolf3D was based on some of these early attempts on Hitler's life (which maybe the source of later games placing Wolf3D or at least Original Encounter earlier in the timeline).

Series Appearances

Original Encounter (Mac/3D0/Jaguar ending)

After the blows the allies dealt to his plans, Hitler waged desperate, brutal war upon the allies. He began attacking civilian targets, and had to be stopped. He had fallen back to his last stand, in the legendary Nazi keep known as Castle Wolfenstein. B.J. was ordered to seek him out and stop his destruction. He was ordered to terminate Hitler, because millions of lives lay in the balance (while it seemed initially successful Hitler was not killed and started his next operations to spread the Nazi across Europe). Deep inside the castle, B.J. found him inside of a mobile battle armor known as 'Mecha-Hitler'.

Note: The Wolfenstein Animated Graphic Novels apears to show Hitler being fought in Castle Wolfenstein which is a nod to Mac Family version's storyline.

2nd Encounter (PC ending)

After Dr. Schabbs' second defeat, Hitler again was forced to flee. He had escaped to the Reichstag, and hid in his titanic Reich Bunker as the Third Reich crumbled about him. B.J. was ordered again confront him, and to assassinate Hitler, and end his mad reign. After a long battle, the absolute incarnation of evil, Adolf Hilter, lie at B.J.'s feet in a pool of his own blood. His wrinkled, crimson-splattered visage still strains, a jagged-toothed rictus trying to cry out. Insane even in 'death'. B.J's lips pinched in bitter victory, he kicked his head off his remains and spit on his corpse. "Sieg heil ... huh. Sieg hell."

Note: Most other adaptations of the story tend to leave out the ultra gory description of his 'death'/'defeat' (other than death animation in the game itself), instead just going for a 'success' screen of some sort (or 'vague' ending at the most suggesting that Hitler saw a 'defeat'.). The 2nd Encounter is actually called the 3rd Encounter on the mac versions, with 1st Encounter referring defeat of Grosse, 2nd Encounter being the continuation of the SNES/Jaguar levels up to the defeat of Mecha-Hitler/Staatmaster at Castle Wolfenstien, and 3rd Encounter, being an adaptation of the entire PC Wolfenstein 3D levels (with a few boss and item changes).

Wolfenstein 3D Classic

The IOS port put the events of Wolfenstein 3D roughly in February, 1945 at least according to the ending newspaper. The backstory further tied in details from Activision's RTCW/Wolfenstein at least for the OSA.

This was more or less a straight port of the levels from the PC version, but with some modifications to graphics, and health system, and story (to tie it into RTCW series). In this game Hitler is still fought in the 3rd Episode. But the ending is left vague. Just tossing up a Daily News newspaper saying congratulations and dating the event of the battles in February, 1945 (other versions and later games do not give the date for these games, and in some cases even suggest it occurs before Return to Castle Wolfenstein before 1943, suggesting it represents one of the earlier attempts on Hitler's life). This was released as a slight tie-in to Wolfenstein (2009) using some of the concept art from that game and RTCW, and made B.J. an OSA member during the events of battle with Hitler. It is set after RTCW, similar to the 'second campaign' (the unlocked original Wolfenstein 3D) from Tides of War.

Wolfenstein RPG

A parody of Hitler appears in Wolfenstein RPG with his mustache moved to his chin. However, he is otherwise not mentioned in the game, only the Axis and Germany are mentioned in a case of censorship.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein

In this story set in 1943, the hintbooks imply that it takes place after Wolfenstein 3-D Episode 1, see Operation Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Welcome Back, Soldier. However, Hitler is still alive during the story, and in Berlin. So it technically could be between Episode 1 and Episode 3 (possibly after Episode 2). The XBOX Tides of War made the PC Wolfenstein 3D version, a second mission unlockable after beating RTCW (but otherwise no story connecting them). It appears to place events of Wolfenstein 3-D (at least operation Eisenfaust) before July 14, 1942.

At the end of RTCW, a general mentions to Heinrich Himmler that a plane was waiting to take him back to Berlin, and that the Fuehrer was expecting his arrival.

Wolfenstein (2) from 2009 further suggested a continuation from the previous series but in a somewhat alternate universe (where Normandy landings never happened, The Claw of Eisenfaust storyline suggests post Normandy events), but changed the order: setting RTCW after Wolfenstein 3D (following Hitler's defeat within Castle Wolfenstein similar to that which appeared in Original Encounter but mixed with Wolfenstein 3D's original story order). However, Wolfenstein 3D ignored the historical 'end of the war' suggesting that Nazis continued to fight on.

According to iD developers Wolfenstein (Wolf 2/2009) didn't have Hitler, because it was a 'timeline thing' Hitler had already been defeated. They said RTCW took place after Wolfenstein 3D and their game took place after RTCW. This also is referenced in the official Strategy Guides for RTCW. This was later reflected in the released graphic novels for Wolfenstein 2009.

Wolfenstein 2009's GN videos appear to have placed Spear of Destiny at or before 21 Sep. 1940. However, the Spear of Destiny Hintbook could suggest that Spear of Destiny occurred as late as 1944 or early 1945 (as it mentions blitzkrieg and stealing the Spear occurred in 1939 and that he used it over the 'next five years'). However, Jean Moulin who appears in the game hintbook backstory died in 8 July, 1943. So events of Spear of Destiny had to have occurred before then. The 'next five years' reference has to general reference to Hitler's later defeat (retroactively can refer to his later successful attempts at regaining the Spear of Destiny on multiple occasions).

For more detailed discussion of Wolfenstein 2 (Wolfenstein 2009) history see William J. Blazkowicz (Wolf2).

Tactical analysis

Hitler (also known as Mecha-Hitler or Armored Hitler) is the leader of Nazi regime, and boss of the Original Encounter and Episode 3 ("Die, Fuhrer, Die!") and the final boss of the original Wolfenstein 3D before the release of the Nocturnal Missions expansion pack. When the player first meets Hitler, he will be in a large mechanical suit that is armed with quad Chain Guns. After having around half of his HP taken away, the suit will fall off, and Hitler will jump out with dual Chain Guns. His defeat is said to be in February, 1945 in the Platinum Edition of Wolfenstein 3-D.

While his sprites suggest he would cause more damage when armored, in fact he doesn't. The armor most likely is an excuse to give Hitler an amount of HP much higher than that of the other bosses. Both his forms combined have close to double the HP of Hans Grösse.

Hitler fires 5 bullets per volley in the two forms. After being defeated, he will talk before melting into a pile of blood and bone, triggering the ending.

In the 2nd Encounter episode of the Mac Family (also used as the main campaign of Jaguar/3D0 versions) Hitler is always the ultimate boss. The censored SNES port replaced Hitler with Staatmeister (Adolf Trautmann in the Japanese version) who uses Hitler's sprite, though edited somewhat - he lacks the mustache, has a completely redrawn death animation, and has blonde hair. The paintings of Hitler in the SNES version were also changed, in the paintings Hitler (or Staatmeister, in this case) had no mustache and no swastika-adorned armband.

In the 3rd Encounter episode of the Mac Family games Hitler is again defeated for the second time in missions based on the original PC levels.