Johannes Hentschel was born on May 10, 1908, in Berlin, Germany. On July 4, 1934, he was hired as a master electro-mechanic responsible for maintaining the Führer’s personal apartments in the Old Reich Chancellery.

During the final days of World War II, he was assigned to oversee the machine room in the Führerbunker, ensuring the operation of essential services like electricity, water, and ventilation.

As the Battle of Berlin intensified in late April 1945, the Führerbunker became the central command and shelter for the Führer, his wife Eva Hitler and his close associates.

Hentschel, along with telephone operator Rochus Misch, were among the last occupants of the bunker.

They exchanged letters to their wives in case they did not survive. Misch attempted to escape the encircled city, while Hentschel chose to remain to maintain the bunker’s essential systems.

Hentschel’s decision to stay was driven by his responsibility to supply power and water to a field hospital located in the Reich Chancellery above the bunker.

He continued his duties until Soviet forces captured the bunker complex on May 2, 1945, at around 9:00 a.m.

He was taken prisoner by the Red Army and remained in captivity until his release on April 4, 1949.

After his release, Hentschel moved to West Germany and lived in Achern, Baden-Württemberg, where he passed away on April 27, 1982, at the age of 73.

Hentschel’s experiences during the war have been depicted in popular culture.

In the 1981 film The Bunker, actor Martin Jarvis portrayed him as an ordinary worker witnessing the collapse of the German leadership.

In the 2004 film Downfall (Der Untergang), Oliver Stritzel played Hentschel, although many of his scenes were cut from the theatrical release.

In the extended version, his character is shown maintaining the generators and interacting with Soviet soldiers upon their arrival. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

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