Magda Goebbels to her son:

April 28, 1945

In the Fuehrer's bunker.

My beloved son:

We have already been here in the Fuehrer’s shelter for six days; Papa, your six brothers and sisters, and I. We are here to give our National Socialist way of life its only possible and honourable ending.

Whether you will ever receive this letter I do not know, but perhaps some considerate soul will make it possible for you to receive my last greetings. You must know that it was against papa’s wishes that I remained here with him, and that last Sunday the Fuehrer himself wanted to help me get out. You know your mother, for we are the same blood. For me there was no alternative. Our beautiful idea is being destroyed, and with it goes everything I know in this life as being fine, worthy of admiration, noble, and good. Life will not be worth living in the world that will come after Hitler and National Socialism.

Therefore, I have also brought the children here with me. They are too precious for the life that will come after us; a merciful God will understand me when I myself help them to a merciful deliverance. You will live on, and for you I have but one request; never forget that you are a German. Do nothing against your honour and take care that you do nothing with your life that will have made our death purposeless.

The children are wonderful. Without assistance they help themselves in these more than primitive surroundings. Whether they have to sleep on the floor, whether they are unable to wash, or whether they have nothing to eat, there is neither a word of complaint nor tears. Even for me the shell crashings are nerve-wracking. The small children comfort the even smaller, and the fact of their being here is a blessing if only because every now and then they coax a smile from the Fuehrer. Yesterday the Fuehrer removed his golden insignia and pinned it to my dress. I am proud and overjoyed. God grant that I will have the strength to accomplish the last and most difficult task of all. We have only one mind left to us; to be true unto death to the Fuehrer, that we be allowed to end our lives together with him is a merciful fate upon which we could hardly have counted.

Harald, beloved boy, I give you the best life has taught me, to take on your way with you; be true; be true to yourself, true to your people, and, most of all, be true to your Fatherland – in each and every respect.

To begin a new page is difficult. Who knows whether I shall still have time to fill it, but I want to give you so much of my love, so much strength, and to take from you all the sorrow of our deaths. Be proud of us, and try to keep us ever in a proud and joyous remembrance. Everyone must one day die. Is it not better, more honourable, and braver to have lived a short happy life rather than a long one and under disgraceful conditions?

I put my arms around you with the deepest, most heartfelt mother’s love.

My beloved son, live for Germany!

Your Mother