Nazi Germany in color photos by Hugo Jaeger, Hitler's personal photographer

These color photographs were taken by Hugo Jäger, Adolf Hitler's former personal photographer. He traveled with the future Nazi leader in the years leading up to his reign, as well as during World War II. Yeager was one of the first to start shooting in color.

In 1945, when the war was nearing its end, Hugo hid his photographs in a leather suitcase. During the inspection by American soldiers, the photographer was afraid of being arrested for taking pictures of a man whom the whole world hated. However, when the soldiers opened the suitcase, their attention was distracted by a bottle of cognac.

Later, Yeager placed all the pictures in 12 glass jars and buried them near Munich. In 1955, the photographer returned to the place, dug up the photos and put them in the bank. In 1965, Yeager sold them to LIFE magazine. These shots are really unique, you can see a whole historical era in color on them.

Adolf Hitler at a session of the Reichstag in the Kroll Opera building, Berlin, 1939.

Hitler and Joseph Goebbels in the box of the Charlottenburg Theater, Berlin, 1939.

Taking the oath of SS detachments, Feldhernhalle, 1938.

The All-German Harvest Festival (Reichserntedankfest), 1934.

Nuremberg, Germany, 1937.

Hitler greets soldiers of the Condor Legion, 1939.

Hitler's speech at the Lustgarten, Berlin, 1938.

Illumination of Berlin in honor of Hitler's 50th birthday, April 1939.

The crowd cheers Hitler's campaign to unite Austria and Germany, 1938.

Members of the Union of German Girls dance, Nuremberg, 1938.

Nuremberg, 1938.

Nuremberg, 1938.

Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, Berlin, 1938.

Nuremberg, 1938.

Reich Veterans Day, 1939.

Hitler at the groundbreaking ceremony at the Volkswagen Works, 1938.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Volkswagen Works, 1938.