A previously unpublished essay by a writer who served alongside Hitler in the First World War trenches reveals the future Fuhrer was only obeying orders when he shaped his moustache into its tightly-clipped style. He was instructed to do so in order that it would fit under the respirator masks, introduced in response to British mustard gas attacks. Had that order never been issued, the tyrant who brought most of Europe to its knees would be remembered as a man with a large Prussian moustache ------ The prosaic explanation comes in a new biography of the writer Alexander Moritz Frey, who came to know him when both were lowly privates in a Bavarian infantry division. In a hitherto unpublished essay, Frey, who died in 1957, wrote of his first meeting with Hitler in 1915: "A pale, tall man tumbled down into the cellar after the first shells of the daily evening attacks had begun to fall, fear and rage glowing in his eyes. "At that time he looked tall because he was so thin. A full moustache, which had to be trimmed later because of the new gas masks, covered the ugly slit of his mouth." The story behind Hitler's moustache | Clipmarks Or was it so??
Hello Kai-Petri, I tend not to believe this above account. Do you remember or let me rather say, have you seen the short clip where Hitler is filmed whilst accompaning a communist prosession (He was a short term member of the communist party) in early middle of 1919? In this clip he wears the Kaiser like moustache. Regards Kruska
In the film 'Hitler: The Rise of Evil' (which I know isn't really a reliable source...), Ernst suggests to Hitler that he should adopt the smaller moustache. The writers might of just added that in though, so as I said it isn't really reliable. Wasn't the 'toothbrush moustache' really popular during those times?
Before Hitler was even in the trenches, Charlie Chaplin had taken his mustache shape from Mack Swain, and trimmed it down to the familiar shape seen on he and Hitler. The Chaplinesque mustache, which he himself borrowed from Mack Swain (Chaplin had to trim down since he couldn’t grow one as luxurious as Swain) debuted during the silent film era in the comedy Kid Auto Races at Venice which was released in early 1914 (February). Chaplin continued to play the "Little Tramp" through dozens of short films and, later, feature-length productions. He also borrowed "Fatty" Arbuckels trousers and shoes for the character, Arbuckle and Swain were established "stars", he wasn't. As a consequence of Chaplin’s growing fame, from 1914 on, that "toothbrush" smudge of a mustache became so popular that it held the lead in nearly all of Europe’s male facial hair fashion well into the thirties. It’s popularity "dropped off" when Hitler came to power and he had adopted it, but it was a common mustache style in imitation of the movie star Chaplin; not so it would fit under a gas mask. That is silly (it's cute but silly) to even propose since gas warfare didn’t exist when Chaplin copied Mack Swain, both in the employ of Mack Sennett in the silent movie days and while Hitler was living in that apartment in Munich, and probably going to the movies when he could afford it. Who did he see? Likely Chaplin.
Clint is pretty close to the mark I think, though it wouldn't surprise me if he had opted for that (already popular) style because it would be ok with a mask.
My problem is that a trimmed or full mustache was of little if any import i.e. the masks themselves. May have been a "good idea", but hardly required by the Heer at the time I would think. http://www.uk-militaria.com/shop/viewphoto.php?x=0 even with the "smaller" 1915 version, I don’t see the need for a "trimmed mustache" for it to fit in the mask. This version was only given to the "rescue workers", a mask with oxygen on a belt mount for emergency use. The "treated" fiber of the mask was generally sufficent unless the aid worker was in the contaminated area for long time periods. Did you guys know that Kimberly/Clark invented Kleenex as a filter for gas in WW1! http://www.firstworldwar.com/photos/graphics/gws_germangasmask_01.jpg Then there is this most common German version from 1915, which would have been when Hitler had any access or need for one. It is a full face unit, any mustache would fit inside of it well: Making the Modern World - Everyday Life - Control - 1880-1939 Just looking at the old masks, "trimming" the 'stache seems a bit unlikely for effective operation of same.
agree with Clint I have had a full on moustachio and wear masks of all sizes and shapes during some work projects and the rubber pieces fit perfectly personally I think Addi was just making his oversize proboscous smaller by reducing the size of the hairs under his nostrils, and by making it thicker could hide miniature snuff container(s) for a quick snort between his yelling sessions ~
Kruska is on dead money there. But the proof, as they say, is in the pudding, so i submit the following picture of old Adolph, taken in WWI
The thing is though that even a small amount of hair growth can break the seal formed around the face by such a mask, hence most armies do not allow mustaches beyond the edge of the mouth. Had Hitler sported a broad enough tasch then this might be an issue and therefore the article could make sense. Not saying it is necessarily true, just that it is possible. ED: Someone just reminded me of another slight thing, you are confusing 'logic' and 'military logic.' My housemate was told to trim his sideburns because they would interfere with the functioning of his respirator (in the UK, in a non-deployable TA unit, off duty, incidentally they also didn't cause problems because of the location of the seal and the rest of his hair). If the story were to have any truth to it, like as not some officer either took a dislike to his tasch and used the excuse to get it removed or simply didn't understand the newfangled respirators they were being issued.
I stumbled across this photo many years ago. Regardless of the date printed, could this fellow be Hitler? 2nd from left View attachment 3420 Regards Kruska
my nan ,who grew up in befnal green;in the east end of london,in the late 20s-early 1930s said the hitler style tash,was relatively fashionable.cheers.
all wrong! he had loads of tache's, and a spare too! look! Google Image Result for http://www.totalleh.com/beta419.gif
Fashion or not , I remember very well from my army days in the field we were all ordered the daily morning shave because of the gasmask sealing to the face ,its still being told so today by instructors . (and no ,certainly didnt like to stand in the forest in middle of winter with undressed upper body with a helmet full of ice water and a tiny mirror every morning..would have preferred the beard and moustache lol)
