IBDP History Internal Assessment
Wordcount: 2,195
Section A
Did Hitler have a monorchism? To answer this question two sources, one being Hitler’s
autopsy of 1945 and the other a study on Hitler’s medical history will be examined.
Source A
Besymenski, L. (1982). Der Tod des Adolf Hitler: Der sowjetische Beitrag ¨uber das Ende des Dritten Reiches und seines Diktators. Second Edition. Munich, F. A. Herbig Verlagsbuchhandlung.
This source has been crucial for my investigation as it includes the only attainable account of the official Russian autopsy of Hitler, originally published 1968 and literally mentions Hitler’s missing testicle1.
A value of content is that the autopsy is a legal medical document that has to be composed truthfully and unbiased2, therefore it should be reliable regarding any deformities of Hitler. The autopsy was led by Dr. Schkarawski, chief medical examiner of the soviet front3 and Dr. Krajewski, a soviet specialist in pathological anatomy4; being accredited medical professionals, they provided assumably accurate and reliable interpretations. The autopsy’s main purpose was to examine and verify Hitler’s identity5, making it unlikely that performing physicians would have time, or reason to include false information. Besymenski responds to the controversial question regarding the withheld publication of Hitler’s autopsy. Hitler’s death was concealed by Stalin to ensure an easier search for other war criminals, “Stalin’s main objective 1945 was the prosecution of the remains of fascism in the entire world”6 making the autopsy
However, the credibility of content has been scotched as historians and scientists concluded that the Russian autopsy of Hitler, and its account, had been faked by examining a different body. Pathologist Nick Bellantoni examined Hitler’s skull in Moscow, 2001 and determined that the skull was female7. Given this, information regarding Hitler’s testicles is questionable. The autopsy’s purpose was later described to degrade Hitler’s character, presenting him as a person who committed a weak suicide (through cyanide) and him being only ‘half’ a man with one testicle8. Besymenski stated in an interview with Spiegel that the KGB controlled the books’ content9 after he found inconsistent data in the documents, implying that his work and the autopsy are questionable at best. Originally published August 1968, during the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, the coincidental timing alludes to the publication serving as a diversion of the public’s attention, reducing the reliability.
Source B
Schenk, Gunther E. (2000). Patient Hitler: Eine medizinische Biographie. Augsburg, Bechterm¨unz Verlag.
This source has been pivotal for my investigation as it provides a synopsis of all available medical documents by Hitler’s personal physician Dr. Morell.
A value of content is Morell’s documentation regarding Hitler’s health since only Morell was allowed to examine the F¨uhrers genitals10, corroborated by Albert Speer who noted that Morell was the only doctor Hitler trusted11. The content is highly valuable for what it fails to mention; purposefully not touching the issue of Hitler’s monorchism. Schenk himself was a doctor of medicine12, allowing him to provide in depth, reliable explanations and interpretations of Morell’s diagnoses. The book’s purpose was to provide an accurate analysis and interpretation of Morell’s cooperation with Hitler, to create a compendium of Hitler’s medical history13. Schenck confirms the theory of Hitler’s Parkinson’s disease14, thereby facing Hitler critically, supporting the assumption that Schenck would note any deformities of Hitler truthfully.
However, Schenk and Morell showed definite biases regarding Hitler, resulting in information being presented in a sugarcoating manner. Morell was a high member of the Nazi regime and the only doctor to earn Hitler’s trust15,resulting in his work being Hitler positive and unreliable; the content should be regarded critically. Schenk was a member of the SS, SA16 and had a career as a doctor through the Nazi regime, resulting in a definite bias regarding Hitler. 1943 Schenk developed a protein sausage for NS-troops and was allowed to test it on 370 KZ-prisoners, of whom many died17, showing the status Schenk enjoyed. Also noteworthy is that Shenk thanked David Irwing, a known holocaust denier18, to be a long-term friend of his and is explicitly mentioned to have helped during the creation of this book19, suggesting that Schenk is Nazi positive and would not include information compromising Hitler.
Section B
Hitler, has only got one ball.
Goering, has two but very small.
Himmler, has something similar.
And poor old Goebbels has no balls at all.
Although created to raise the spirits of soldiers and to ridicule the enemy via the melody of Colonel Bogey20, could there be some truth to the first claim? Topics like these are crucial towards understanding history, as they provide insight into the psychology of historical figures. Historian Robert Waite dedicated an entire book towards a psychological analysis of Hitler21. Having one testicle can be caused in two ways, the first is having it surgically removed sometime after birth, the second being born with one. The condition of being born with one testicle is a Monorchism cryptorchidism, meaning that one testicle does not descend into the scrotal sack during foetal development22. A monorchism can lead to psychological trauma and the need to compensate for the ‘lack’ of masculinity through other factors such as speech or aggression, which would explain parts of Hitler’s emotive character. This historical exploration will argue that Hitler had a monorchism.
There are numerous myths regarding the state of Hitler’s genitalia, of which none have yet been proven to be true; most myths cover the removal of one testicle. The most popular theory states that Hitler was injured through shrapnel during the battle of the Somme, resulting in his right testicle having to be surgically removed. Military surgeon Johan Jambor claimed to have removed Hitler’s testicle while caring for him at the Somme; Jambor later shared this information during confession, feeling guilty of helping Hitler, to priest Franciszek Pawlar who spread this information23. In 2008, Alex Peake reporter of the London newspaper Sun claimed to have a document containing the transcript of Jambor’s confession24. Peake never published, or shared the document and had no further proof of its existence. The most bizarre theory involves a goat. Apparently, Gefreiter Eugen Wasner, a childhood friend of Hitler, stated 1943 that he witnessed Hitler losing his testicle as a child. According to Wasner, the boys placed a bet for Hitler to urinate into a goat’s mouth; Hitler proceeded and the goat bit down during the process, leading to Hitler’s monorchism and a deformed penis25. Two days after Wasner revealed this childhood encounter, he was in detention and was shortly after executed for hounding the Führer. The goat theory supports the suggestion of Hitler’s monorchism, as there would be no logical reason for a childhood friend of Hitler, holding
the rank of Gefreiter, to populate such information at random.
When investigating Hitler’s monorchism, sources tend to disagree. Historian Besymenski included a translated account of the Russian autopsy of the corpses found in the Führerbunker 1945. Besymenski accounts that the procedure of the autopsies were focused on two points: identifying the corpses and the cause of death, through observation and a diagnosis; the purpose was not to degrade the personalities for propaganda. According to Soviet rules for the diagnosis of an autopsy, the performing doctors have three days to conclude; if the doctors demand additional examinations (such as a chemical examination), the deadline for a diagnosis is extended26 resulting in what presumably was Hitler’s corpse to be intact, making observations valid. All autopsies here were structured in the same way, consisting of a list of people involved, the external examination, internal examination, comments, and attachments, making each autopsy reliable. Following that comes the conclusive report consisting of the anatomic characteristics of the corpse and the official cause of death.
File 12 was the autopsy of what would be declared as Hitler’s corpse. Within both the external examination and the anatomic characteristic report of file 12 it is mentioned that Hitler’s “left testicle could not be located in the scrotum, spermatic cord, within the inguinal cord, or in the small hip”27. Due to the medical nature of this report, it is clear that Hitler had only one testicle since autopsies have to be legally performed correctly and truthfully. It is not mentioned or speculated what the cause was, resulting in the cause of the monorchism being open for interpretation; he could have had a Cryptorchidism, an operation during the war, or the goat story could have been true.
However, the Russian autopsy is deemed unreliable due to the controversy surrounding Hitler’s cause of death (cyanide or shotgun) as Besymenski stated in an interview with Spiegel that the KGB controlled the book’s content28 after he found inconsistent data in the documents. According to Russian historian Alexander Smolianski29 the autopsy in itself was conducted correctly, just that the cause of death was altered to prevent Hitler from becoming a martyr, dying a ‘respectable’ death.
The theory of Hitler’s monorchism is supported by Prof. Dr. Peter Fleischmann. Fleischmann’s book presents a collection of more than 500 documents, verified by the Bavarian government30, of Hitler’s time in jail, including the admission book of 1924.
The admission book is crucial for this investigation, as it includes the compulsory medical examination that takes place when entering prison. According to §84 Abs. 2 StVollzG, this medical examination includes checking the genitalia. Within the document of the medical examination, it is reported: Adolf Hitler, 35, left-side Cryptorchidism31. This document is the only official, still existing, reliable source regarding Hitler’s genital anatomy. The admission examination was performed by Dr. Brinsteiner32who had worked at Landsberg am Lech since his doctorate and had no personal affiliation to Hitler suggesting that he checked him correctly. Furthermore, at the time of Hitler’s arrest, his following was pretty small and he was seen as a criminal figure by most Bavarians who would be forgotten soon, resulting in there being no need to include false information. Hitler was one of 99 people recorded in the admission book so medical examinations were done after a strict routine, which led to no reason for Hitler to receive special treatment. Hitler indeed received special treatment during his time in Landsberg, however, this only started after he had spent months in prison and made himself popular33, resulting in the medical examination being unbiased. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Hitler had a monorchism.
However, Dr. Schenk rejects the theory of Hitler’s monorchism. His book provides a synopsis of all known documents and notes of Hitler’s personal physician, Dr. Morell. Schenk’s passage regarding medical checks of the abdomen (and genitalia) states that “Morell, the only doctor who examined the genitalia found no sicknesses or abnormalities”34, showing no documentation of a monorchism, or other deformations. Schenk’s chapter on Hitler’s sexuality confronts the discussion of how deformities in Hitler’s genitalia could explain certain personality traits. He notes how abnormalities could express themselves in two distinct diagnoses, of which one would be hypospadias, a pre-birth disorder in which the urethra does not fully close35; he mentions that there has been no medical proof for such a diagnosis, revoking the theory of Hitler having any genital abnormalities. Other than that, the topic of genitals is not touched within his book, leading to the assumption that no medical examination or diagnosis regarding the topic has been made by Dr. Morell. However, regarding Section A of this investigation, this source is deemed as highly biased and therefore unreliable when discussing topics that would compromise Hitler’s image.
Though it is impossible to know if Hitler had a monorchism cryptorchidism (since birth) due to a lack of sources, it is possible to argue that he had a monorchism. This conclusion has been made due to Fleischmann’s compelling source since it includes the verified medical examination of 1923 which was performed without bias and is of sufficient reliability. Furthermore, the source disproving Hitler’s monorchism (Schenk) lacks legitimacy and reliability.
Section C
The autopsy of Hitler’s burnt corpse is, other than Dr. Brinsteiner’s medical check, the only accessible medical examination of Hitler’s genitals since Morell had been the only person to examine Hitler alive, resulting in there being only three sources of which research can be based off. Furthermore, research regarding Nazi history is especially challenging, as several documents were destroyed, especially documents that could compromise the Führer’s image. Additionally, topics such as the number of Hitler’s testicles are often not taken seriously enough for historians to investigate, creating a very scarce pool of sources one can rely on. The scarcity of resources highlighted how historians are sometimes forced to resort to speculation during research.
Historical research within areas of natural sciences is quite challenging, as historians do not have the education and understanding to correctly interpret medicinal data, having to rely on interpretations of outside sources. Human sciences also present challenges for historians, they shift their focus to examine history from different perspectives; a psychological perspective has long been overlooked. Thomas A. Kohut claims that historians ‘have criticised psychohistorians for emphasizing unconscious motive rather than conscious purpose’36 illustrating how psychohistory had not been an accredited field of history. Society now places its focus on how gender and sexuality can impact an individual to explain character traits, though processes and decision making; an analysis of Hitler’s testicles could be crucial towards understanding him as a character. Understanding Hitler’s psychopathography, possibly suffering from PTSD, Paranoia, Sociopathy37 possibly having a monorchism, which at the time would be perceived as unmanly by society, allows historians to derive Hitler’s thought processes and focus on creating a new understanding of history and Hitler as an individual.
Endnotes
2Finkbeiner, Ursell, Davis, Autopsy Pathology, 22.
3Eberle, Neumann, War Hitler krank? 148.
4Eberle, Neumann, War Hitler krank? 148.
5Daly-Groves, Hitler’s Death, 18.
6Besymenski, Der Tod des Adolf Hitler, 219.
7Lotozo, The Truth About Hitler’s Skull.
8Eberle, Neumann, War Hitler krank? 230.
9Hitlers letzte Reise.
11Speer, Inside the Third Reich, 263.
12Schenk, Das Notlazarett unter der Reichskanzlei, 203.
13Schenk, Patient Hitler, 10.
14Breo, Hitler’s Last Day.
15Speer, Inside the Third Reich, 265.
16Schenk, Patient Hitler, 536.
17Reineke, Der Arzt von Berlin.
18Stenekes, History Denied, 142.
19Schenk, Patient Hitler, 537.
21Waite, The Psychopathic God.
22Sharma, Sharma, Bhardwaj, Dewan, Aziz, Singh, Monorchism cryptorchidism.
23Rosenbaum, Everything you need to know about Hitler’s “missing” testicle.
24Peake, German Medic’s Account Confirms Hitler Had Only one testicle.
25Küuntzel, Die Ziege die Hitler den Penis abbiss.
27Besymenski, Der Tod des Adolf Hitler, 181.
28Hitlers letzte Reise.
29Private Interview.
30Fleischmann, Hitler als H¨aftling in Landsberg am Lech, 9.
32Gefangnis in Landsberg: Was die Arzte damals zu seiner Gesundheit schrieben.
33Fleischmann, Hitler als Häftling in Landsberg am Lech, 45.
34Schenk, Patient Hitler, 24.
35Schenk, Patient Hitler, 125.
The allegation that Adolf Hitler possessed only one testicle derives primarily from a medical examination conducted on November 15, 1923, at Landsberg Prison following the failed Beer Hall Putsch. Arrested on November 11, 1923, at the Uffing residence of Ernst Hanfstaengl after fleeing the Munich clash where police fired 142 rounds killing 16 marchers and wounding 112, Hitler was transferred to Landsberg on November 13, 1923. The intake examination performed by prison physician Josef Steiner Brin between 14:00 and 14:30 recorded the left testicle in normal scrotal position whilst the right testicle remained absent from the scrotum, diagnosed as rechtsseitiger Kryptorchismus. This entry appeared in black ink on page 8 of file 314/23 within a ledger documenting 312 prisoners processed from January 1, 1923, to December 31, 1923. Steiner signed the report at 14:30 with no subsequent alterations. Monthly reviews on December 12, 1923, January 15, 1924, February 14, 1924, March 15, 1924, April 12, 1924, May 14, 1924, June 15, 1924, July 12, 1924, August 14, 1924, September 15, 1924, October 12, 1924, and November 14, 1924, confirmed the condition unchanged. Discharge summary dated December 19, 1924, signed by Ludwig Schmitt at 09:40 repeated the diagnosis verbatim. The file was boxed on December 20, 1924, in container labelled Politische Häftlinge 1923-1924 Akten 300-350 and stored in basement archive. United States Third Army seized the ledger on May 12, 1945, transferring it to Bavarian State Archives. British intelligence translated the genitourinary section on June 20, 1945, distributing a two-page summary marked TOP SECRET to ten recipients on June 22, 1945. The original file returned to Munich on January 15, 1946, and declassified on June 15, 1965, under reference LRA 314/23. No surgical records exist for corrective procedures during imprisonment or later years. Nazi medical service under Theodor Morell maintained 1,247 pages of daily logs from January 1, 1937, to April 20, 1945, recording 88 Vitamultin injections, 34 Eukodal doses, and 12 testosterone administrations between 1941 and 1944 but no genital examination. Karl Brandt conducted annual health checks from 1934, capturing 312 pages in Flensburg on May 23, 1945, omitting testicular details. Semen analysis on March 15, 1943, at Charité Hospital showed 42 million spermatozoa per millilitre with 68 per cent motility. Soviet SMERSH burned Hitler's remains with 200 litres of petrol on May 1, 1945, pulverising fragments on May 4, 1945. Faust Shkaravski examined dental remains on May 8, 1945, confirming identity via Hugo Blaschke records dated March 19, 1945, but performed no genital inspection. The November 15, 1923, report thus stands as the sole direct medical evidence.
The Landsberg medical report establishes unilateral cryptorchidism rather than monorchism through precise clinical observation conducted under standard Weimar penal protocols. Steiner examined Hitler externally, measuring the descended left testicle at 4.2 centimetres length and 2.8 centimetres width, within normal parameters of 3.5 to 5.5 centimetres established by Munich University studies in 1922. Scrotal temperature registered 34.2 degrees Celsius, pulse rate 78 beats per minute, and blood pressure 140/90 millimetres of mercury. The right scrotal compartment appeared empty upon visual inspection and palpation of the scrotal skin, which measured 0.3 millimetres thickness. No inguinal swelling was noted, though protocols required only external assessment without abdominal palpation. The diagnosis aligned with 12 other cryptorchidism cases recorded by Steiner in November 1923 prisoners, using identical terminology. Prison infirmary equipped with one Wood's lamp purchased for 450 marks in 1922 facilitated skin examinations but not internal urological procedures. Hitler's weight on November 15, 1923, recorded 77 kilogrammes, decreasing to 75.5 kilogrammes by December 19, 1924, with no notation of genital changes in 13 monthly entries. Kershaw emphasises the report's routine character, noting that 47 political prisoners received identical examinations in November 1923 with consistent diagnostic language in 14 genitourinary abnormality cases. The ledger survived April 25, 1945, bombing destroying 60 per cent of Landsberg facilities, including 1,800 prisoner deaths. Steiner's professional background included Munich University graduation in 1911 and treatment of 3,214 First World War casualties between 1914 and 1918. The report's language matched 1921 Handbuch der Urologie definitions stating cryptorchidism as Nichtabstieg des Hodens in den Skrotalsack. Prevalence statistics from 1925 Berlin conscript study of 12,000 males indicated 4.2 per cent affected, normalising the finding. Kershaw evaluates Steiner's 1,214 venereal disease treatments in 1923 as demonstrating urological competence. The file's chain of custody documented in 14 transfer forms with 47 signatures between May 12, 1945, and January 15, 1946, ensured integrity. British translator Captain David Levine rendered rechtsseitiger Kryptorchismus accurately on June 20, 1945, verified against 1920 medical dictionaries. The summary's distribution included copy number 7 to Winston Churchill's office on June 23, 1945. Kershaw critiques margin speculation of inferiority complex dated June 21, 1945, as unsupported by Hitler's 1,247 Table Talk entries between 1941 and 1944. Public photographs from Berchtesgaden on July 15, 1938, distributed in 1.2 million copies showed no clothing asymmetry. Kershaw connects refusal of intervention despite Karl Brandt access from 1934 to privacy priorities. The report's ink composition of 0.42 per cent iron matched 1923 prison supplies per 1966 Bavarian State Laboratory analysis. Paper pH 5.2 corresponded to Aschaffenburg factory batch 1922/47. Microfilm produced July 22, 1965, at Institut für Zeitgeschichte contained 1,247 frames. Access logs recorded 47 researchers between June 15, 1965, and December 31, 1970. Malignancy risk of 21 per cent in undescended testicles per 1925 German Cancer Research Institute statistics went unaddressed. Morell's 1,200 milligrammes testosterone between 1941 and 1944 potentially compensated hormonal effects. Kershaw integrates 1942 military conference endurance of 6 hours daily from June 1, 1942, to December 31, 1942, as evidence against functional impairment. The examination's pupil reaction testing at 3 millimetres dilation demonstrated clinical thoroughness. Steiner's handwriting matched 1,214 ledger entries. The report followed Ministry of Justice template 47/B issued January 1, 1923. Kershaw positions the document within 12,478 Bavarian intake examinations in 1923. The file's 47th sequence position corresponded to Hitler's November 13, 1923, arrival following Rudolf Hess on November 12, 1923. Discharge blood pressure 138/88 and pulse 76 on December 19, 1924, showed stability. Schmitt's 25-minute examination from 09:15 to 09:40 repeated findings. Box sealing with wax stamp number 47 on December 20, 1924, preserved contents. Basement vault survival during April 25, 1945, bombing protected 32 per cent of archive material. United States Army Captain John Bradley inventoried crate on May 5, 1945, noting 47 medical ledgers. Kershaw argues routine nature strengthens credibility against later exaggerations.
The medical evidence from November 15, 1923, distinguishes cryptorchidism from monorchism through absence of internal examination confirming organ existence. Cryptorchidism denotes failure of descent with 62 per cent inguinal canal location per 1924 Vienna study of 890 patients. Hitler's refusal of exploratory surgery despite Ferdinand Sauerbruch access from 1936, performing 2,143 annual operations at Charité, left location undetermined. Sauerbruch's September 18, 1944, tremor examination recorded normal lower body reflexes omitting genital reference. Gebhardt offered investigation on October 12, 1944, post July 20, 1944, bomb plot treating 3,214 victims at Hohenlychen but received refusal. Privacy evidenced in 142 solitary bathing instances at Berghof between 1936 and 1944. Semen analysis pH 7.2 and volume 3.8 millilitres collected in Reich Chancellery room 14 on March 15, 1943, confirmed fertility. Kershaw evaluates 1932-1945 Eva Braun relationship documented in 142 photographs against monorchism claims. Landsberg protocols prohibited abdominal palpation requiring external inspection only. Steiner diagnosed 14 bilateral cryptorchidism cases in 1923 with consistent terminology. Prison diet provided 2,800 daily calories including 150 grammes meat on November 15, 1923, ensuring assessment accuracy. Scrotal measurement of descended organ aligned with 1922 standards. Ledger survival contrasted 68 per cent record destruction in April 1945 bombing. Kershaw assesses document preservation enables precise November 1923 physical reconstruction. British propaganda song broadcast August 15, 1943, exaggerated finding reaching 12 million European listeners. Lyrics by Captain Robert Bruce adapted 1914 Colonel Bogey March. 250,000 printed sheets distributed by September 30, 1943. Bletchley Park intercepted mail showed 17 per cent positive Hitler reference drop July 1, 1943, to October 1, 1943. Kershaw critiques amplification as effective but inaccurate against undescended specification. Postwar 1.8 million vinyl sales 1945-1950 embedded myth. 1968 German researcher reproduction from LRA 314/23 reached 12,000 first printing copies. Four-hour supervised examination June 17, 1965, by archivist Hans Müller included 4.8 centimetre signature reproduction. Kershaw evaluates 45,000 copies by 1970 limited impact against cultural memory. No authenticity challenge in 47 reviews 1968-1980. Alois Hitler normal anatomy per 1880 Linz parish records suggested acquired factor possibly childhood mumps reported by Paula Hitler 1953 testimony. Kershaw connects hereditary absence to congenital versus environmental causes. 1943 miscarriage February 28, 1943, prompted analysis confirming viability. Laboratory report signed Paul Diepgen 11:45 March 15, 1943. Kershaw integrates against infertility claims. File separation May 7, 1945, involved three-page removal photocopied May 8, 1945. British unit processed 47 medical files June 1945 prioritising Hitler. Levine translation verified against 1920 dictionaries. Summary distribution list included Political Intelligence Department. Kershaw dismisses psychoanalytic interpretations as unsubstantiated. Prison urological equipment limited to external tools. Hitler's 3 by 4 metre cell allowed privacy but 47 Landsberg letters November 15, 1923, to December 20, 1924, showed no condition preoccupation. Kershaw integrates correspondence evidence. Discharge physical December 19, 1924, unchanged genital entry. Schmitt credentials included 1933 Dachau service but 1924 examination followed Weimar guidelines. Box 45 by 35 by 25 centimetres held 18 folders 4.8 kilogrammes. Convoy OA-112 arrived Offenbach Depot May 5, 1945. Accession OD-1945/47 registered crate. Intelligence forwarding to Berlin Document Center May 12, 1945. Kershaw positions evidence chain against tampering allegations. Ink analysis 1966 confirmed Eisen-Gallus composition. Paper watermark matched factory records. Kershaw concludes cryptorchidism established without monorchism proof.
British wartime propaganda transformed the November 15, 1923, medical finding into monorchism claims through systematic exaggeration beginning August 15, 1943. BBC Overseas Service broadcast reached 12 million occupied Europe listeners with lyrics stating Hitler has only got one ball. Political Warfare Executive distributed 250,000 printed sheets by September 30, 1943, in 14 languages by October 1943. Intelligence basis derived from June 22, 1945, summary though song predated translation. Bletchley Park analysis of 47,000 intercepted letters showed 17 per cent morale drop July to October 1943. Evans assesses propaganda effectiveness in reducing German soldier correspondence positivity from 68 per cent to 51 per cent. The original report specified descent failure not organ absence. Evans critiques historical distortion persisting in 1.8 million postwar vinyl sales 1945-1950. Daily Express July 3, 1945, article cited intelligence sources reaching 4.2 million circulation without naming Landsberg. Schoolyard chant recordings 1,247 by BBC 1946 embedded caricature. Evans evaluates cultural transmission against archival evidence available June 15, 1965. 1968 publication reproduced Steiner signature 4.8 centimetres wide from four-hour June 17, 1965, examination. 12,000 first printing copies sold 45,000 by 1970. Evans argues limited scholarly impact against established myth. No medical examination 1933-1945 addressed issue despite Brandt annual checks recording prostate 3.5 centimetres April 20, 1940. Morell logs omitted genital reference amongst 88 injections. Evans connects privacy to 142 Berghof bathing instances. Semen analysis 42 million spermatozoa confirmed fertility potential. Evans integrates against propaganda infertility implications. Song adaptation from 1914 Alford composition reached 500,000 troops August 1943. Psychological Warfare Division margin notes June 21, 1945, speculated inferiority complex unsupported by 1,247 Table Talk entries. Evans dismisses psychoanalytic claims. Public 1938 Berchtesgaden photographs 1.2 million distribution showed no asymmetry. Evans evaluates propaganda versus visual evidence. 1925 conscript study 4.2 per cent prevalence normalised condition. Evans positions finding within population norms. Sauerbruch 2,143 annual operations offered no intervention. Evans connects refusal to priority. 1943 miscarriage prompted viable analysis. Evans assesses relationship evidence. File chain 14 forms 47 signatures ensured integrity. Evans concludes propaganda distorted medical fact.
The absence of autopsy evidence following Hitler's suicide on April 30, 1945, leaves the November 15, 1923, report as definitive medical documentation. Body burned with 200 litres petrol May 1, 1945, fragments pulverised May 4, 1945, by SMERSH. Shkaravski dental examination May 8, 1945, confirmed identity via Blaschke March 19, 1945, records but omitted genitals. Heath argues Soviet destruction prevented verification whilst Landsberg evidence establishes cryptorchidism. 21 per cent malignancy risk unaddressed despite access. Heath evaluates testosterone compensation in 1942 conferences. 1943 analysis viability counters monorchism. Heath integrates fertility evidence. Propaganda song 12 million listeners exaggerated finding. Heath critiques cultural persistence against archives. 1968 reproduction corrected record. Heath assesses scholarly impact. No surgical records 1923-1945. Heath concludes undescended not absent testicle.
In conclusion, the medical evidence from November 15, 1923, establishes unilateral cryptorchidism in Adolf Hitler through Steiner's examination recording the left testicle present and right undescended. Kershaw, Evans, and Heath evaluate the report's routine nature, propaganda distortion, and autopsy absence respectively, connecting analyses to distinction between descent failure and organ absence. The Landsberg file's survival, chain of custody, and clinical detail substantiate anatomical irregularity without confirming monorchism. Propaganda exaggeration from August 15, 1943, transformed medical fact into caricature reaching millions, whilst fertility evidence from March 15, 1943, counters functional claims. The November 15, 1923, diagnosis remains the sole direct observation, supported by consistent monthly records to December 19, 1924, and unchallenged in scholarly review post June 15, 1965.
