In Kunz's evidence before the Hamm Upper State Court, he said: ''Towards the end of April, Magda came up to me and said, 'I need your help in the killing of the children.' I refused her, saying that was not my responsibility.

''But Magda Goebbels insisted and shortly afterwards declared to me that it was no longer a request for help but a direct order from Hitler.''

Kunz was originally a dentist with the SS Death's Head division but became a trusted friend of Hitler after being wounded in the field and transferred to a desk job in the Chancellery.

He told the court he escaped the bunker but was tracked down by Magda Goebbels hours later. She said he must return or ''you will be a dead man''.

On the evening of May 1, 1945, he was forced to carry out his grim duty. ''The children were all in one room. But they were not asleep. 'Have no fear,' said Magda Goebbels. 'The doctor here is going to give you an injection of the sort that all children and soldiers get.' She left the room. I injected them with morphine - the eldest daughters first, then the son, then the other daughters. It took around 10 minutes.