Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! On May 6, 1945, the war in Europe was nearing its end as the Allied forces made significant progress against the remaining pockets of resistance. In Germany, Grand Admiral Dönitz made a crucial decision to relieve Heinrich Himmler of all government duties, while SMERSH agents of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army secretly retrieved two burned bodies near the Chancellery in Berlin, one of which was believed to be that of Adolf Hitler. Join us as we delve into the events that took place on this day in the final days of World War II.

"Maybe there are 5,000, maybe 10,000 Nazi bastards in their concrete foxholes before the Third Army. Now if Ike stops holding Monty's hand and gives me some supplies, I'll go through the Siegfried Line like shit through a goose.” - General George S. Patton

British Bravery

Certainly. John Randle was a young officer serving with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry during the Burma campaign of World War II. On May 6, 1944, he and his platoon were fighting in the Battle of Kohima, which was a critical turning point in the war in Burma.

During the battle, Randle's platoon came under heavy fire from a Japanese machine gun position. Randle crawled forward under heavy fire, reached the machine gun position and silenced it using a grenade, taking out several enemy soldiers in the process.

Later on, Randle's platoon came under fire from another enemy bunker, which was causing heavy casualties. Despite being wounded, Randle charged towards the bunker with a grenade in his hand, determined to take it out. He managed to get close to the bunker and threw the grenade inside, destroying it and killing himself in the process. His actions allowed his platoon to continue their advance and ultimately contributed to the Allied victory in the battle.

For his bravery and self-sacrifice, John Randle was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation reads:

"Throughout the operation, he displayed outstanding gallantry, determined leadership and devotion to duty which inspired all who saw him. His action in destroying a machine-gun position with grenades was a masterpiece of coolness and daring. Later, when assaulting an enemy bunker, he was hit but refused to be evacuated. Although bleeding profusely, he threw a grenade into the bunker, killing the occupants and himself. His inspiring example throughout the battle was an inspiration to all."

John Randle's selfless act of bravery and sacrifice has been remembered and honored by his country and the world for generations.

Himmler is Dismissed

On May 6, 1945, Grand Admiral Dönitz informed Heinrich Himmler of his forthcoming dismissal and promised false papers and identities for him and his leading lieutenants if they removed themselves promptly. Himmler subsequently called a meeting of his top SS leaders and informed them of the situation.

Himmler's plan was for the SS leaders to disguise themselves as ordinary soldiers and hide within the regular German army in order to evade capture by the Allies. However, by the time they attempted to carry out this plan, it was already too late. The Allies were closing in on Germany from all sides, and many SS leaders were either captured or killed in the final days of the war.

It is worth noting that Dönitz's promise of false papers and identities for Himmler and his lieutenants was not fulfilled. After Himmler's suicide on May 23, 1945, many former SS members were arrested and tried for war crimes.

The Fall of Berlin

After the fall of Berlin, there was much speculation about the fate of Adolf Hitler, who was rumored to have committed suicide in the Führerbunker in the final days of the war. Soviet intelligence had received reports that Hitler was dead, but there was no conclusive evidence to confirm this.

In an effort to uncover the truth, SMERSH agents of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army sneaked into a section of Berlin that was occupied by a different Soviet unit to secretly retrieve two burned bodies on May 6, 1945. The agents believed that one of the bodies might be that of Adolf Hitler's.

The bodies were discovered near the Chancellery in Berlin, where Hitler had his bunker. The SMERSH agents retrieved the bodies and took them to Moscow for examination. The bodies were later identified as those of Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun.

The retrieval of the bodies and the confirmation of Hitler's death put an end to speculation about his fate. The event also highlighted the intense rivalry between the various Soviet intelligence agencies, as SMERSH had to operate clandestinely in a section of Berlin that was controlled by a different Soviet unit.

Photo of the Day

Soviet troops escorting German officers to surrender negotiations, Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland), 6 May 1945.

As we conclude today's edition of the Hidden History newsletter, we reflect on the significant events that took place on May 6, 1945. The war in Europe was drawing to a close, and the Allies made important progress in their fight against the remaining pockets of resistance. In Germany, the dismissal of Heinrich Himmler and the discovery of the bodies near the Chancellery in Berlin shed light on the fate of the Nazi leadership. Join us again tomorrow as we explore the next chapter in the final days of World War II.

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Have a great weekend :)

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