BERLIN, July 6, 1940 (UP) - Adolf Hitler returned to a conqueror's welcome in Berlin today after eight weeks in the field at the head of German armies which overran the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Belgium and France and now are preparing for blitzkrieg against England.
His arrival at the Anhalter railway station, decked with flowers, was the signal for the start of a tumultuous, officially organized demonstration by massed throngs lining the streets and squares from the depot to the Reich's Chancellery.
Even greater significance attached to the Fuehrer's return to Berlin since as he arrived Italian Foreign Minister Count Galeazzo Ciano was speeding here by train from his Italian Air Force command in northern Italy to confer with the Fuehrer. Ciano was expected to see Hitler tomorrow in what were regarded as highly important talks, since no matter of maintaining contact would bring the Italian Foreign Minister to the German capital at this time.
Hitler arrived at 3:01 p.m. (9:01 a.m. New York time), and with his entourage entered automobiles for the triumphant ride to the Chancellery.
Throngs, ordered by their partly district chiefs to report, mingled with soldiers for the welcome. A call to greet the Fuehrer on an unprecedented scale had been issued through morning newspapers.
High army officials and Nazi party leaders greeted Hitler at the station, and news that he had come back to Berlin set church bells ringing throughout the capital.
Simultaneously German radio announcers described the scene to the nation and called the crowds around the Chancellery a "seething mass."
As Hitler stepped from his train a band struck up the Badenweiler March and the crowds broke into a roar
The Fuehrer was accompanied by Field Marshal Herman Wilhelm Goering, and they were greeted by Propaganda Minister Paul Joseph Goebbels in his capacity as Nazi Gauleiter of Berlin.
The boulevard leading to the Chancellery was a carpet of flowers. Throngs lining it waved flags and at times the cheering drowned out the music of the bands.
When Hitler arrived at the Chancellery the din was so great that within a few minutes he was forced to step to a balcony to respond to the cries of "We want to see our Fuehrer!"
After greeting the crowd Hitler beckoned to Goering, Col. Gen. Walther Von Brauchitsch and Gen. Wilhelm Keitel to join him.
Hitler, accompanied by Goering, appeared on the balcony fro a second time at 3:55 p.m. Immediately afterward loudspeakers instructed the crowds to disperse. They obeyed at once.
Observers noted that as Hitler stood in his open automobile his expression was grim and set as he saluted stifle and gazed from side to side.
When he first appeared on the balcony he gave only one salute and then stood with his arms braced against the balustrade, watching the yelling crowds. Red Cross nurses walked with pails of water behind the crowds, attending many who fainted under the hot sun. A number of wounded soldiers were given vantage points in the Wilhelmplatz.
Before proceeding to the Chancellory, Hitler inspected a guard of honor formed by the army, navy and air force, which had dipped its flag in salute to him. Large numbers of the Hitler youths and maidens were among the welcomers.
Tens of thousands of factory workers, still carrying their lunch buckets, had marched in the hot sun to join the welcoming throngs.
Portly, middle aged brown shirts mingled with the crowds, distributing small Nazi paper flags.
People who were unable to see Hitler heard descriptions of the scene through loud speakers placed throughout the city, along the line of march and even around the Chancellery.
All business had been ordered to cease at noon and a half-holiday had been declared.
Goebbels had issued a proclamation calling for a reception of "unparalleled enthusiasm." Newspapers carried eulogistic articles and editorials and the Voelkischer Beobachter said that "today Berlin receives the conquering general, Triumphant Adolf Hitler."
Newspapers published safety measures for the reception.
They forbade the throwing of flowers and bouquets at Hitler. Flowers must be laid in the street by the men detailed to hold back the crowd.
The crowd was forbidden to break the cordon to press around the Fuehrer's automobile.
