| Eckhard Christian | |
|---|---|
|
Name |
Eckhard Christian |
|
Born |
1 December 1907 |
|
Died |
3 January 1985 (aged 77) |
|
Rank |
Generalmajor |
|
Known for |
Being Gerda's Husband |
Eckhard Christian (1 December 1907 – 3 January 1985) was a Luftwaffe Generalmajor who was married to Gerda Christian during World War 2.
Biography[]
Christian joined the Reichsmarine in 1926, but was transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1934. He was promoted to Captain on 1 April 1935 and later rose to the rank of Major on 1 June 1940. It was on 15 January 1941 that Christian began working for Adolf Hitler, being attached to Chief of the Armed Forces Command Staff at Hitler's Führer HQ.
Christian met Gerda at Hitler's HQ, who was Gerda Daranowski at the time. The couple married on 2 February 1943, with Gerda's work being temporarily covered by Traudl Junge. Christian was then appointed to the Luftwaffe Command Staff. He rose to his final rank of Generalmajor on 1 September 1944.
Christian was present at the Führerbunker on April 1945, representing General Karl Koller, as can be observed in the film. He left the bunker on April 22 to become chief of the liaison staff of the Luftwaffe to OKW Command Staff North, while Gerda remained with Hitler.
Real Eckhard Christian
After the German surrender, Christian was arrested by the British and held until 7 May 1947. He never reunited with Gerda, with the latter divorcing him due to not staying with her in the bunker. Christian died on 3 January 1985 in Bad Kreuznach.
In Downfall Universe[]
Christian can be seen in the Hitler Plans Scene room, behind Koller and Keitel, and has no lines. He is seen again in Goebbels's first speech from the scene, behind Keitel in the theatrical version. In the Extended edition his top bald head can be seen in the scene where Hitler says that will remain in Berlin (used for example in Hitler is informed by everybody).
He appears in all the parodies that use this scene, but so far he had no main role.