>>3913362>They got drunk before the ceremony and started to sober up just when Hitler showed upAbridged from Hartman's interview in the book "The German Aces Speak,"
Krupi, Wiese, and I received the message that we were to receive the Oak Leaves. We flew in halfway, then took a train due to bad weather. Gerd, Krupi, Wiese, and I were offered endless cognac and champagne on the train. The first person we met when we got off the train was Hitler's adjutant, who was in shock at our condition. We could hardly stand. Krupi always stated years later that we had to hold each other up. I cannot remember everything, to be honest.
I could not find my hat, and my vision was not the best because of the cognac. I took a hat on the stand and put it on, and it was too large. The adjutant became upset and told me it was Hitler's hat, and to put it back. Everyone was laughing. I made some joke about Hitler having a big head, and "it must go with the job," which created even more laughter.
Well, we were brought in and lined up in order of the presentation of awards. I felt so sick, I was barely able to stand. Krupi started humming this silly drumbeat tune as Hitler came through the doorway, and Gerd started to laugh. The adjutant called us to attention, but Gerd was still trying not to laugh, and Krupi was in a fit as well. The adjutant glared at us, like a schoolteacher looking at classroom to see which student was laughing.
