Otologic Treatment of Hitler's Blast Injury-Following an Attempt on His Life

Objective: To bring to light the detailed account of a German military otolaryngologist who treated Hitler's ear injuries following an attempted assassination. Data Sources: Declassified interrogation records, medical notes and public photographs. Review Methods: Archival research and interpretation of primary and secondary historical sources. Results: As events in the Second World War pointed toward imminent German defeat, high ranking members of Hitler's staff conspired to kill him and sue for peace. Their attempted assassination and coup failed, leaving Hitler alive and suffering from multiple injuries, including barotrauma from the bomb blast. Erwin Giesing, an otolaryngologist stationed nearby was summoned to care for the Führer at his East Prussian bunker. His detailed account of Hitler's injuries and their treatment illuminates the status of otologic care in 1940s Europe and the interpersonal struggles surrounding Hitler and his collapsing war machine. Conclusion: In reading Giesing's report, it is tempting to admire this physician's commitment, caring for his patient as best he could with the otolaryngology tools available in the 1940s. He constructed a detailed and likely accurate assessment of Hitler's injuries. His treatment options were limited and Hitler probably improved despite rather than because of Giesing's interventions. One must remember that Dr. Giesing was a committed Nazi and conspicuous admirer of his supreme leader. This colors his account of the events and his description of Hitler's character.