I was Hitler’s neighbor: ‘If he’d known we were Jewish, we’d have been sent to Dachau’…

Edgar Feuchtwanger defied the odds to reach the age of 100, born into a time of poverty and political unrest in post-World War I Germany. He grew up in a Jewish family just across the street from Adolf Hitler’s residence in Munich. His family emigrated to England in 1939, just before World War II began. Feuchtwanger, now residing near Winchester, recounts his experiences of living near Hitler and the impact of National Socialism on his family.

Despite his age, Feuchtwanger vividly recalls his childhood opposite Hitler’s residence and the events that unfolded. He reflects on his family’s decision to flee Germany as the dangers of Hitler’s regime became apparent. His father’s imprisonment in Dachau during the November pogroms marked a turning point for the family, leading to their eventual escape to England.

Feuchtwanger settled in England, where he pursued a career as a historian, focusing on Victorian England and later delving into the history of National Socialism. He received accolades for his contributions to Anglo-German relations, highlighting his unique perspective as a witness to the rise of the Nazi era. Now a centenarian, Feuchtwanger remains resolute in sharing his story and warning against the resurgence of far-right ideologies in modern times.