Epilogue, Chapters 33-35 Summary and Analysis

"Chapter 33, "Stations of Imprisonments" opens with Doenitz struggling to think outside the ingrained Nazi framework. He opposes any more offensive measures but wants to expedite refugees reaching the West. Himmler refuses to be excluded from the government. Hamburg surrenders peacefully. Doenitz signs Speer's edict against demolition and encourages him to address the people to counteract lethargy. Speer records it and then encounters Himmler, who wants to censor public announcements, but Doenitz rejects it. Himmler flees to Prague. Following the unconditional surrender, Speer wants a proclamation accepting responsibility for the war and resignation, but Doenitz is convinced to remain until deposed. Government becomes a "tragicomedy." Speer helps the United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) evaluate the air war in a "comradely" atmosphere. After sneaking away several times to visit his family, Speer is detained in Flensburg, where he...