Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! On this day in 1945, the war was reaching its climax as Allied forces continued their advance towards Berlin. The day was marked by significant events, including the destruction of Hermann Göring's lavish Carinhall estate and the capture of the city of Nürnberg by the US Seventh Army. In today's issue, we will delve deeper into these events and explore their significance in the context of the larger war effort. So join us as we take a step back in time and examine the events that shaped this pivotal moment in history.

"Everyone has lied to me, everyone has deceived me… the SS has left me in the lurch. The German people have not fought heroically. It deserves to perish… it is not I who have lost the war, but the German people." - Adolf Hitler

Mother of them All

The most famous of all Lancaster bombers, ED888, was delivered to No. 103 Squadron RAF at RAF Elsham Wolds in Elsham, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom. ED888, which served as M-Mother (later adapted to Mother-of them-all) would, by the time it was retired early in 1945, have set a record of 140 completed operations to its credit.

The Lancaster bomber was one of the most iconic aircraft of World War II, known for its distinctive shape and powerful engines. Developed by the British aircraft manufacturer Avro, the Lancaster entered service in 1942 and quickly became the backbone of the Royal Air Force's bomber fleet. It was a key component of the Allied bombing campaign against Nazi Germany, and played a major role in the destruction of many of Germany's industrial and military targets.

M-Mother, also known as "Mother-of-them-all", was one of the most famous of all Lancaster bombers, thanks in part to its incredible record of service. It was flown by a number of different crews over the course of the war, but it is perhaps best known for its association with the pilot Leonard Cheshire. Cheshire flew M-Mother on a number of its most important missions, including the bombing of the German city of Cologne in May 1942, and the raid on the Peenemunde rocket research facility in August of that year.

In addition to its many bombing missions, M-Mother was also involved in a number of other important operations during the war. It was used to drop supplies to resistance fighters in France, and was also involved in reconnaissance missions over Germany and other occupied territories.

By the time it was retired from service in early 1945, M-Mother had completed an incredible 140 operational missions, making it one of the most successful and highly decorated aircraft of the war. Its legacy lived on long after the war, as a symbol of the bravery and dedication of the crews who flew it into harm's way on so many occasions. Today, there are only a handful of Lancaster bombers still in existence, and they are widely considered to be among the most important and valuable artifacts of World War II.

Göring's Mansion in Ruins

Hermann Göring's Carinhall estate was a grandiose and extravagant complex that he had built during the Nazi regime in the 1930s. The estate was filled with priceless works of art, antiques, and other treasures that Göring had acquired through plunder and theft during the course of the war.

As Allied forces were closing in on Berlin in the spring of 1945, Göring became increasingly concerned about the safety of his wealth and possessions. On April 20th, 1945, he ordered the destruction of Carinhall and the removal of his treasures to a safer location in the south of Germany.

Göring's men loaded up 24 heavy trucks and several train cars with the loot from Carinhall and set off on a perilous journey through war-torn Germany. They were pursued by Allied forces, and the journey was fraught with danger and difficulty. Nevertheless, they managed to transport most of the treasures to a safer location in the south, where they were hidden in mines and other secret locations.

Despite Göring's efforts to cover his tracks, many of his treasures were eventually recovered by the Allies after the war. The hunt for Nazi loot and plunder has continued to this day, with countless works of art and other treasures still missing and unaccounted for.

Hitler’s Last Birthday

The Soviet artillery bombardment of Berlin on April 20, 1945, which was Adolf Hitler's 56th and last birthday, was a significant event in the final stages of World War II in Europe. The Soviet forces had been advancing towards Berlin since January 1945, and by April they had encircled the city and were preparing for a final assault.

Hitler had been holed up in his bunker beneath the city since January, and he had become increasingly isolated and delusional as the situation in Germany deteriorated. On his birthday, he attended a brief celebration with his generals, during which he made a speech in which he expressed his determination to fight to the bitter end. However, the Soviet artillery barrage soon began, and the celebrations were cut short.

After the bombardment, Hitler's generals urged him to flee Berlin and set up a new command center in southern Germany. They believed that there was still a chance to continue the fight against the Allies, but they needed Hitler to be safe and able to coordinate their efforts. However, Hitler refused to leave Berlin, insisting that he would stay in the city and fight to the death.

Instead, Hitler ordered the establishment of two separate command centers, one in the north and one in the south of Germany. The northern command was placed under the leadership of Admiral Karl Dönitz, who would later become the de facto leader of Germany after Hitler's suicide. The southern command was tentatively placed under the leadership of General Albert Kesselring, although the situation was highly fluid at this point, and it was not clear how much control Kesselring would have over the remaining German forces.

Hitler's decision to stay in Berlin proved to be a fatal one. Over the next few days, the Soviet forces launched a massive assault on the city, and the German defenders were overwhelmed. On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker, and within a week, the remaining German forces in Berlin had surrendered to the Soviets. The fall of Berlin marked the end of World War II in Europe, and it was a turning point in the history of the 20th century.

The Heart of Nazism Falls

The capture of Nuremberg by the US Seventh Army was a critical moment in the final stages of World War II in Europe. The city had been heavily fortified by the Germans, with a ring of defensive positions and fortified buildings surrounding the city center. The defenders of the city were a mix of regular Wehrmacht troops and SS units, many of whom were determined to fight to the last man in defense of the city.

The US Seventh Army, under the command of General Alexander Patch, began the assault on Nuremberg on April 16, 1945. The Americans faced heavy resistance from the German defenders, who used their well-fortified positions and extensive networks of tunnels and bunkers to hold out against the assault. The fighting was intense and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

One of the key challenges facing the US Seventh Army was the need to navigate the maze of tunnels and bunkers beneath the city. These underground fortifications were designed to protect the defenders from air raids and artillery bombardment, and they provided a safe haven from which the Germans could launch counterattacks. The Americans had to fight their way through these tunnels, often engaging in close-quarters combat in the cramped and darkened spaces.

Despite these challenges, the US Seventh Army managed to make steady progress towards the city center. By April 20, the American troops had succeeded in capturing the central area of Nuremberg, including the famous medieval castle that overlooked the city. With the capture of the castle, the Germans lost one of their key defensive positions, and their resistance began to falter.

The capture of Nuremberg was a significant achievement for the Allied forces. The city was an important industrial center, with factories producing everything from machinery to textiles. The Americans were able to capture intact a significant amount of valuable machinery and equipment, which would be put to use in the post-war reconstruction of Germany.

Nuremberg was also a symbolic victory for the Allies. The city had been a key site of Nazi Party rallies, and many of the buildings and monuments in the city had been designed to glorify the Nazi regime. By capturing the city, the Allies were able to symbolically defeat the Nazis and bring an end to their reign of terror.

Following the capture of Nuremberg, the Allies held the famous Nuremberg Trials. These trials were a series of military tribunals held to prosecute prominent Nazi officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The trials were held in the Palace of Justice, a building that had served as the headquarters of the Nazi Party in Nuremberg. The trials were a significant moment in the history of international law, as they established the principle that individuals could be held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity, even if they were acting on behalf of a government or military.

Photo of the Day

Soviet BM-13 Katyusha rocket launchers firing on Berlin, Germany, Apr 1945.

As we come to the end of today's edition of the Hidden History newsletter, we reflect on the events of April 20th, 1945, as a critical moment in the history of the war. From the destruction of Hermann Göring's Carinhall estate to the capture of Nürnberg by the US Seventh Army, this day saw both the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the events of World War II and their impact on the world as we know it today.

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