Unity Mitford's pattern is now well established: nearly every day she goes to the small Osteria Bavaria restaurant in Munich, hoping Adolf Hitler will be there. Whenever he summons her to his table, she chats to him about everything from politics and travel to movies and music. By now, Hitler is receiving several hundred love letters a day from female fans, who often become hysterical when they see him; they're even known to swallow gravel simply because he's walked upon it.
Lord Redesdale's daughter is different: despite being dangerously besotted, she's not at all intimidated. As Unity starts writing her diary in , she seems determined to put behind her all the gadding about of the previous year. It's as if she's resolved to be a fitting girlfriend, perhaps even wife, for the Fuhrer.
Wednesday, January 1: [Munich] Walk to Osteria. Mein Kampf Tram to National Theatre. See 'Tristan und Isolde' [Wagner opera]. Bad seat. Leave after 2nd Act. She's also embarked on a quest to see operas by Wagner — Hitler's favourite composer — whenever she can. Friday, January 3: Wash stockings. See the two big black Mercs go into V. So excited, can hardly walk. Go into Osteria. He sends Bruckner to invite me to his table. I go and sit with him.
He is in wonderful stimmung [mood]. The Fuhrer tells the awful story of how they were lost in a plane over the North Sea. A terrible thought. Deutlmoser [Osteria owner] gives us each a diary, the Fuhrer a special red one. The Fuhrer gives me the red one. He is very sweet. I eat lunch with him, chicken and fruit. He goes about 4. Shakes hands with me twice.
A wonderful day. Unity Mitford, who turned the head of Adolf Hitler. She writes in her diaries as if she's resolved to be a fitting girlfriend, perhaps even wife, for the Fuhrer.
