Secret Recording and DNA Analysis Rewrite Hitler's Medical History
A unique historical investigation, combining a clandestine audio recording with cutting-edge genetic science, has concluded that Adolf Hitler underwent normal puberty despite suffering from a rare condition that typically prevents it. The findings form the core of a revealing new Channel 4 documentary, Hitler's DNA: Blueprint Of A Dictator.
The breakthrough was made possible by a secret recording from 1942, captured without the Nazi dictator's knowledge by a Finnish sound engineer, Thor Damen. This is the only known instance of Hitler's natural speaking voice, recorded during a private lunch with Finnish military chief Carl Mannerheim after official microphones were supposed to be switched off.
Genetic Blueprint Extracted from a Bloodstained Relic
Leading the genetic analysis was Professor Turi King, who worked with an international team. They obtained Hitler's DNA from a blood-stained strip of fabric taken from a sofa the Führer used. The genetic results confirmed he had Kallman Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that disrupts sexual development.
Professor King played the secret Finnish recording for physiology expert Professor Jorma Toppari. After analysing Hitler's voice, Professor Toppari stated decisively, 'It shows he had gone through puberty and he had his voice break.' Professor King concurred, noting, 'So that sounds like a grown man's voice...his voice is quite deep really.' This auditory evidence proved that, while Hitler had the condition, its impact was not severe enough to block the testosterone needed for adolescence.
The Physical and Psychological Scars of a Dictator
The research revealed the condition's potential physical manifestations. Up to ten per cent of boys with Kallmann Syndrome are left with a micro-penis, and it is common for sufferers to have testes that do not descend normally. The documentary explores the long-standing rumour about Hitler's anatomy, which was even the subject of a mocking British wartime song.
This likely had profound psychological consequences. Professor Bret Kahr of the Tavistock Institute recounted that Hitler was bullied by army comrades during the First World War, who mocked the size of his penis when he undressed. 'That is potentially more psychologically traumatic for a young boy, a young man, than anything else,' Professor Kahr explained, suggesting this shame may have fuelled the rage that defined his later character.
The programme also examined medical records showing Hitler later received testosterone injections, a standard treatment for Kallman Syndrome. Professor Toppari elaborated that a lack of testosterone could explain Hitler's apparent lack of sexual desire and his strange, distant relationships with women. His trusted secretary, Christa Schroeder, believed he never had sex, even with his long-term partner Eva Braun.
Furthermore, the DNA analysis indicated Hitler was in the top one per cent of people at risk for schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and autism, adding another layer to the complex psychological profile of one of history's most infamous figures.
