After Hitler's death, a briefing conference was held where prior orders were implemented that those who could do so were to break out from the centre government sector and join other German formations. The plan was to escape from Berlin to surrender to the Western Allies on the Elbe or join the German Army to the north. Schädle did not join one of the break out groups, which included FBK and RSD members. According to the bunker's master electro-mechanic Johannes Hentschel, by that time Schädle's shrapnel leg wound had become gangrenous. He could only walk at a slow pace using a crutch. Schädle committed suicide by shooting himself in the mouth with a pistol, rather than attempt the break out from the surrounded Reich Chancellery area.