History Daily: The Hitler Diaries Hoax

Episode Title: The Hitler Diaries Hoax
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: Lindsay Graham
Produced by: Airship | Noiser | Wondery

Introduction: A Fateful Beginning

On the early morning of April 21, 1945, as World War II neared its end, Wilhelm Arndt, Adolf Hitler's 20-year-old valet, finds himself amidst chaos. Tasked with transporting Hitler's most prized possessions to a new command center in southern Germany, Wilhelm boards a transport plane with 15 others. Despite the ominous signs—a distant boom signaling ongoing air raids—the plane takes off, seemingly safeguarding Hitler's treasures. However, fate has other plans: the plane crashes a hundred miles south of Berlin, destroying the cargo and claiming almost all lives on board, including Wilhelm.

Lindsay Graham (00:05): "The transport plane carrying Wilhelm Arndt and 15 other passengers will never reach its destination. It will go down in a forest a hundred miles south of Berlin, killing almost everyone on board, including Wilhelm."

This crash inadvertently sets the stage for one of history's most notorious forgeries.

The Emergence of the Forgeries: Fritz Stiefel and Conrad Kuya

Time Frame: 1975, Stuttgart, West Germany

Thirty years after the plane crash, Fritz Stiefel, a 47-year-old engineer and passionate Nazi memorabilia collector, stumbles upon a new antique store in his town. Despite initial reservations due to the illegality of displaying Nazi artifacts, Fritz becomes enamored with the store's collection, particularly the items purportedly originating from Adolf Hitler himself, including an alleged manuscript of Mein Kampf.

Unknown to Fritz, the store's owner, Conrad Fisher—whose real name is Conrad Kuya—is a skilled forger. Kuya has been deceiving collectors by selling meticulously crafted fakes, including the Hitler diaries. His ability to fabricate these forgeries without detection emboldens him to undertake more ambitious projects.

The Hitler Diaries: Creation and Circulation

Time Frame: Late 1970s to Early 1980s

Conrad Kuya begins crafting a series of diaries purported to be Adolf Hitler's personal writings. Utilizing cheap notebooks and improvised materials, he infiltrates the historical community with his forgeries. Kuya's deceit gains credibility when Nazi archivist Auguste Prieseck and a history professor fail to detect inconsistencies during their evaluations, erroneously validating the authenticity of the diaries.

Simultaneously, journalist Gerd Heidemann from Stern magazine becomes intrigued by the diaries' supposed provenance—the plane crash that destroyed Hitler's original archives. Convinced of their significance, Heidemann negotiates a deal with Kuya to purchase the diaries for a substantial sum, aiming to break a groundbreaking story.

Lindsay Graham (12:05): "The dark allure of something so personal that once belonged to Hitler proves impossible to resist."

The Publication and Immediate Backlash

Date: April 25, 1983

Stern magazine holds a press conference to announce the discovery of Hitler's diaries, heralding it as a monumental journalistic achievement. The diaries captivate the public and scholarly community alike, with Stern reporters and editors showcasing their seemingly impeccable authenticity. However, skepticism arises as discrepancies and historical inaccuracies begin to surface.

The decisive moment comes on May 6, 1983, when the West German Federal Archives conduct forensic analyses revealing the diaries' fraudulent nature. The findings are irrefutable:

• Material Analysis: The diaries are composed of paper and ink not available during Hitler's time.
• Handwriting Examination: The signature does not match authentic samples.
• Content Verification: Numerous factual errors and recycled content from a single source betray the forgeries.

Lindsay Graham (17:40): "They are lost."

The exposé devastates Stern magazine, leading to the resignation of top editors and a public relations nightmare. Conrad Kuya is arrested and convicted of theft and fraud, receiving a prison sentence of four and a half years. Gerd Heidemann also faces legal consequences for embezzling funds meant to finance the forgeries.

Aftermath and Legacy of the Hoax

Upon his release, Conrad Kuya capitalizes on his infamy by reopening a gallery to sell additional forgeries, expanding his deceit beyond Hitler's diaries. His notoriety sparks a trend where others attempt to replicate his success, forging forgeries in an ironic twist.

The Hitler Diaries scandal remains a cautionary tale in journalism and historical scholarship, underscoring the necessity for rigorous authentication and the dangers of sensationalism. The episode concludes by hinting at future historical intrigues, such as the audacious theft of Edvard Munch's The Scream, setting the stage for continued exploration in subsequent episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Lindsay Graham (00:05): "The transport plane carrying Wilhelm Arndt and 15 other passengers will never reach its destination. It will go down in a forest a hundred miles south of Berlin, killing almost everyone on board, including Wilhelm."

• Lindsay Graham (12:05): "The dark allure of something so personal that once belonged to Hitler proves impossible to resist."

• Lindsay Graham (17:40): "They are lost."

Conclusion

"The Hitler Diaries Hoax" episode on History Daily meticulously unpacks one of the 20th century's greatest journalistic scandals. Through engaging storytelling and detailed analysis, host Lindsay Graham illuminates the intricate web of deception spun by Conrad Kuya and the subsequent unraveling that shook the foundations of historical authenticity. This episode serves as a profound reminder of the fragile line between truth and fabrication in the preservation of history.

Next Episode Preview:
May 7, 1994: Norwegian Police Corner the Criminals Behind an Audacious Heist to Steal Edvard Munch's The Scream.

Produced by Airship and Noiser for Wondery