Between 1936 and 1945, German photographer Hugo Jaeger was granted unprecedented access to Adolf Hitler, traveling and chronicling, in color, the Fuhrer and his confidants at small gatherings, public events, and, quite often, in private moments. Here, and in several other galleries on LIFE, we present never-before-published and rare photographs from Jaeger's astonishing -- and chilling -- collection. (Pictured: Hitler attends the 1939 launching of the battleship Tirpitz.)
Photo: Hugo Jaeger./Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images