Adolf Hitler's last known public appearance, 20 March 1945.

Adolf Hitler's last known public appearance, 20 March 1945.

Adolf Hitler ventured out of his Berlin bunker into the Chancellery garden to award 19 members of the Hitler Youth with Iron Crosses for their heroism in the defense of Germany. The extraordinary event was captured on film and remains one of the most enduring images chronicling the collapse of Hitler's thousand-year Reich, as the tottering, senile-looking Führer is seen congratulating little boys staring at him with worshipful admiration. They were then sent back out into the streets to continue the hopeless fight.

Also appears:

-Reichsjugendführer Artur Axmann.

-Hitler's Adjutant Otto Günsche.

-Hitlerjunge Alfred Czech, awarded with the Iron Cross for rescuing 12 wounded German soldiers under russian fire with his father's farm-cart at the age of 12 years old. He made two trips to recue the 12 wounded soldiers.

-Hitlerjunge Wilhelm 'Willi' Hübne, he was a messenger attached to the Fuhrer-Grenadier-Division and was awarded with the Iron Cross for his bravery in the reconquest german city of Lauban on March 9 at the age of 16 years old.