Hitler 'appeals to reason'

19th July 1940: After a long speech congratulating himself and his generals, the Nazis 'hope and pray' that a peace offer to Britain will be accepted

Speeches at the Kroll Opera House were dramatic events with Hitler saluting and the audience responding with repeated ‘Sieg Heil’s’ (Hail Victory).

The Nazi victory over France and the Low Countries was an undoubted high point for Hitler. He had won over many in the military who had previously been sceptical about his plans. A round of victory promotions with generous tax-free salaries helped secure that support.

Hitler had every reason to be confident. William Shirer¹, the American journalist, watched his performance:

The Hitler we saw in the Reichstag tonight was the conqueror, and conscious of it, and yet so wonderful an actor, so magnificent a handler of the German mind, that he mixed superbly the full confidence of the conqueror with the humbleness which always goes down so well with the masses when they know a man is on top .

.. His oratorical form was at its best. . . I've often admired the way he uses his hands, which are somewhat feminine and quite artistic.