The Walther Hewel Diary, 1941 (Irving File 75)

Content and Structure

Scope and Content:

• March 1939 Fragment: A short entry dated 10 March 1939.
• Main Diary 1941: Daily handwritten notes by Walther Hewel, covering January–December 1941.
  • Entries provide observations from within Hitler’s inner circle, with Hewel often present at Führer Headquarters, diplomatic meetings, and Foreign Office discussions.
  • Content includes references to Hitler’s conferences, Axis diplomatic relations (particularly with Italy and Japan), and the progression of the war in 1941 — notably Operation Barbarossa and the Eastern Front.
  • Notes reflect the atmosphere, mood, and personal perspectives of a senior diplomat close to Hitler.
  • The diary is generally brief in style, recording appointments, discussions, and impressions rather than long narratives.

System of Arrangement:
Chronological arrangement by date, beginning with the 1939 fragment, followed by diary entries for each day of 1941 (January through December).

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access: Open for scholarly research, subject to reproduction and copyright restrictions.

Conditions Governing Reproduction: Requests to reproduce or quote should be directed to the rights holder (originally David Irving Esq., London, as donor of the microfilm copy).

Language of Material: German (handwritten).

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements:

• Microfilm copy, variable legibility due to handwriting style and quality of filming.
• Some pages are faint or cramped; digital enhancement recommended for transcription.

Disclaimer

This document is a historical primary source reproduced from microfilm (DJ-75: Nachlass Walther Hewel). It contains handwritten diary entries from 1941 by Walther Hewel, a senior German diplomat and close associate of Adolf Hitler.

The content reflects the language, attitudes, and perspectives of its author and time. As such, it may include terminology, viewpoints, or omissions that are outdated, offensive, or representative of Nazi ideology. These materials are preserved and made available solely for the purposes of historical research, education, and documentation.

The Irving Collection and associated platforms do not endorse the views expressed in the diary. Researchers are advised to approach the material critically, situating it within its historical context and using it alongside other primary and secondary sources.

Reproduction, citation, or publication of extracts should follow scholarly standards and must credit the source: DJ-75, Walther Hewel Diary, 1941. Courtesy of the Irving Collection (microfilmed February 1971, David Irving private collection).

Condition  Note

The file consists of a microfilm reproduction (DJ-75) made in 1971 from the original Nachlass Walther Hewel diary. The total extent is 315 pages.

• Physical Condition: As a microfilm copy, the material is stable and complete, with no major losses. Some frames show minor blur, uneven exposure, or faint contrast typical of early 1970s filming.

• Legibility: The handwriting is generally serviceable, though often tight, slanted, and occasionally cramped, which may present difficulties for transcription. Certain entries are faded or light on the microfilm, but most text remains decipherable with careful reading.

• Overall Assessment: The diary is largely legible and intact, with some challenges for OCR or automated transcription. Digital enhancement (contrast adjustment, sharpening) significantly improves readability.

4 Page Sample-The Walther Hewel Diary, 1941 (Irving File 75)