>Gerhard Kretschmar was born in Pomssen, a village south-east of Leipzig.
>Gerhard was born blind, with one arm, and missing either one or both legs.
>Gerhard also suffered from convulsions.
>Brandt later testified that the child was also "an idiot", albeit how this was determined is not stated.
>Richard Kretschmar [the boy's father] then wrote directly to Hitler, asking that he investigate the case and approve of the mercy killing of "This Monster" (as he described his child).
>Hitler summoned Karl Brandt, one of his personal physicians, and sent him to Leipzig to investigate the Kretschmar case.
>Hitler told Brandt that if Gerhard Kretschmar's condition was indeed as described in Richard Kretschmar's petition, then he, Hitler, authorised Brandt to have Gerhard euthanized, in consultation with the local doctors, and if any legal action were taken, it would be thrown out of court.
>When Brandt informed the Leipzig doctors of Hitler's instructions, they agreed that Gerhard Kretschmar should be euthanized.
>Kretschmar was killed in a hospital on 25 July 1939, possibly by lethal injection of phenol or other drugs