Letter: Hitler, Bormann and me

While not wishing for one instant to give credence to John Ainsworth-Davis's far-fetched claims in your article "Did Bond save Bormann...?" (4 August), I must point out as incorrect comments ascribed to Charles Whiting.

No German pathologist was involved in the examination of Hitler's remains. The pathologists verifying his death were all Soviet and the second forensic account based on their findings was made by myself.

The German pathologists who examined Martin Bormann's remains were overseen by Professor Sognnaes, the world famous forensic orthodontist from UCLA - who worked in close co-operation with myself.

The dental records, while proving the identity of Bormann, displayed worrying anomalies which suggested that much dental work had been carried out after 1945. Bormann's skull was also encased in red clay of a type common in Ita, the village in Paraguay where recently discovered Paraguayan police records suggest that Bormanndied. This clay is totally absent in the Berlin Ulap fairground where the skull was discovered. There is, therefore, considerable proof that Bormann's remains were taken back to Berlin for discovery - possibly to discredit those engaged in the then current search for Mengele, who it is claimed was treated by the same dentist in Paraguay, Heikel.

The Bormann family are due shortly to produce the results of DNA tests which will conclusively prove that it was Bormann whose remains were discovered in Berlin - which leaves open the question as to when he died. I suggest forensic facts and not historical hyperbole are best suited to such complicated cases.

W H Thomas

Consultant surgeon

Brecon, Powys