Der Fuehrer - Hitler's Rise to Power (1944) - Heiden

THE BEER HALL PUTSCH 185machine guns. Hitler would then approach Prince Rupprecht and Herrvon Kahr and politely inform them that the German revolution was on.The overthrow of the monarchy in 1918 would be avenged, thedethroned prince recover his rights; he could then proclaim the Germanrevolution and anything else that seemed suitable. Hitler was delightedwith the idea. On the day of the celebration, Rosenberg reconnoiteredthe side-street in question, and was horrified to find a large and wellarmedpolice guard. The revolution had to be called off.But the plan was retained and carried out four days later in modifiedform. On the morning of November 8, Hitler made a visit to ErnstPohner, the former police commissioner, who had always protected himso well. Hitler told Pohner he was going to make his putsch that night: 'Ihave great confidence in you,' he said. 'I have an important post in mindfor you — will you help?' Carried away by the conspirator's lighthearteddaring, Pohner assented, and at once rendered a vital service. On thenight of November 8, Kahr was to address a mass meeting, and thisseemed to be the decisive opportunity to put the 'revolution with thepermission of the president' through. It appears that Hitler feared Kahrmight make a kind of Bavarian separatist pronunciamento — at least,this fear gave him a pretext to do what he did. All the political leaders ofBavaria — though without the prince — were again assembled in asmall space. This time it was in the Burgerbrau Keller, one of the manygreat halls in the city, where, in accordance with Bavarian custom,thousands of thirsty souls gathered at rough-hewn tables to drink beerout of big stone mugs. Most political meetings were held in these halls;Hitler had spoken dozens of times in the Burgerbrau.Kahr was to make a political speech — on a matter of little importance.Lossow, Seisser, and most of the ministers were present; andabout three thousand people, who might well have been considered theleaders of the government, the army, society, and industry. The chief ofthe Munich police was also there, having delegated his post to a juniorofficial, with whom we are already acquainted: Wilhelm Frick — theman who could not find the murderers. Frick was still blindly devotedand fanatically obedient