Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! May 11 marks an important day in the history of the war, as we reflect on the significant events that took place on this day. From battles to breakthroughs, this day saw both triumphs and tragedies for the Allied and Axis powers. Today, we'll take a closer look at some of the key events that unfolded on May 11 during the war, providing you with a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in history. So, let's dive in and explore the events of May 11 during World War II.

"Gentlemen, you are about to witness the most famous victory in history." - Adolf Hitler

Blitzkrieg

Germany occupied Luxembourg. In Belgium, German airborne troops captured the "impregnable" Fort Eben Emael while tanks crossed Albert Canal bridges in an attempt to move behind Belgian defensive lines. Troops of the German 9th Panzer Division crossed the Meuse River; at 1200 hours, they found an undefended bridge over the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal 50 miles from Rotterdam, where airborne troops of the German 22nd Flieger Division held on to bridges along the Nieuwe Maas River, awaiting the arrival of ground troops. Seven German armored divisions began to spearhead into the Ardennes Forest, brushing aside the few French cavalry units guarding this route into France.

Operation Diadem

Operation Diadem, also known as the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino, was a major offensive launched by the Allies against German forces in Italy during World War II. The operation began on May 11, 1944, at 11:00 pm, with a massive artillery barrage that involved 1,660 artillery pieces firing on German positions in the Cassino area.

Following the artillery bombardment, troops from the US Fifth Army and British Eighth Army advanced towards the German positions. The aim of the operation was to break through the German defenses, capture the town of Cassino, and advance towards Rome.

Despite initial success in breaching the German lines, the Allies faced stiff resistance from German defenders and suffered heavy casualties. The terrain was difficult and the weather conditions were unfavorable, which made the advance even more challenging. The fighting continued for several days, with the Allies making slow but steady progress.

The battle ended on May 18, 1944, when the Allies finally captured Cassino. However, the cost of victory was high, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The Allies suffered approximately 55,000 casualties, while the Germans suffered around 20,000 casualties.

The success of Operation Diadem paved the way for the Allies to advance towards Rome and ultimately contributed to the eventual defeat of the Axis powers in Italy.

Soviet’s Run Rampant in Berlin

The situation in Berlin after its capture by Soviet forces was marked by a period of chaos and lawlessness, with reports of looting, violence, and other crimes committed by Soviet troops. The reasons for this were complex and multifaceted.

One factor was the brutal nature of the battle for Berlin itself. The city was heavily fortified, and German troops fought fiercely to defend it. The battle was marked by intense fighting, with Soviet troops suffering heavy casualties. This had a profound impact on the psychology of the troops, many of whom were battle-hardened and traumatized by their experiences.

Another factor was the long-standing animosity between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Soviet troops saw themselves as the victors in a long and bitter struggle against an enemy that had committed unspeakable atrocities against Soviet citizens. The desire for revenge was strong, and some Soviet troops saw the capture of Berlin as an opportunity to settle scores with the defeated enemy.

At the same time, Soviet troops were operating in a foreign country with different cultural norms and expectations. Many Soviet troops were from rural areas and had limited exposure to urban life. The sophisticated and cosmopolitan atmosphere of Berlin was unfamiliar to them, and they may have found it difficult to adjust to the new environment.

One of the officials who reported on the situation in Berlin was Pavel Meshik, a Soviet counterintelligence official who was part of the occupying force in the city. Meshik reported to the Soviet high command that discipline among Soviet troops was poor, and that looting and rapes were continuing to occur in and around the city.

Meshik's report was part of a broader effort by the Soviet authorities to restore order and establish control over the city. Soviet military and political leaders were concerned about the damage that the chaos and lawlessness was causing to the Soviet reputation, and they wanted to ensure that the occupying forces were seen as a force for stability and security.

To address the situation, Soviet authorities took a number of steps. They established a military administration to govern the city, and brought in additional troops and police to maintain order. They also imposed strict rules and regulations on the behavior of Soviet troops, and set up tribunals to prosecute those who committed crimes.

In addition to the reports of looting and violence, there were also reports of mass rape committed by Soviet troops in Berlin and other parts of Germany. The exact number of victims is difficult to determine, but it is believed to be in the tens of thousands. The Soviet authorities were aware of these reports and took steps to address the issue, including imposing strict rules and regulations on the behavior of Soviet troops and prosecuting those who committed crimes.

The legacy of the events in Berlin continued to haunt Soviet-German relations for many years. The issue of war crimes committed by Soviet troops was a subject of controversy and debate, both within the Soviet Union and in the international community. It was not until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the full extent of the crimes committed by Soviet troops in Germany was acknowledged by the Russian government.

Hitler’s Body Identified

The report by Lieutenant Colonel Faust Shkaravsky on May 11, 1945 is considered to be an important piece of evidence in the historical record of Hitler's death. Shkaravsky was a respected medical doctor and his report was published in a Soviet medical journal, lending it credibility.

According to Shkaravsky's report, he was one of several medical officers who were assigned to examine the remains of two bodies that were found near the Chancellery in Berlin in May 1945. The bodies had been burned with gasoline and were badly charred, making identification difficult.

Shkaravsky's report states that he and his colleagues were able to identify the bodies as those of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun through dental records and other evidence. He described the injuries sustained by the bodies, which were consistent with gunshot wounds, and noted that there was no evidence of any other cause of death.

Shkaravsky's report also describes the circumstances of Hitler's death. According to the report, Hitler and Braun both committed suicide by gunshot in Hitler's bunker on April 30, 1945. Hitler shot himself in the head with a pistol, while Braun took cyanide.

The report by Shkaravsky has been subject to some controversy and skepticism over the years. Some have questioned the authenticity of the remains that were examined, and there have been claims that the Soviet authorities may have altered or fabricated evidence to support their version of events. However, most historians and experts agree that the weight of the evidence supports the conclusion that Hitler died by suicide in his bunker in Berlin in 1945.

The evidence of Hitler's death also includes eyewitness accounts from those who were present in the bunker at the time, as well as records of Hitler's final orders and communications. The fact that Hitler's body was cremated and buried in an unmarked location, as well as the testimony of those who were involved in the disposal of the body, also supports the conclusion that he died in the bunker.

Despite the weight of the evidence, conspiracy theories and claims that Hitler survived and escaped to South America or elsewhere have persisted over the years. However, there is no credible evidence to support these claims, and the overwhelming consensus among historians is that Hitler died in his bunker in Berlin in 1945.

Photo of the Day

Hitler Youth Hour of Commemoration in front of the Town Hall in Tomaszow, occupied Poland, 11 May 1941.

As we come to the end of today's edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we hope that you found this journey through history both informative and insightful. May 11 was a day that saw both victory and defeat, and it reminds us of the immense sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the war. We hope that our exploration of these events has deepened your understanding of the war and its impact on the world. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to delve into the history of World War II. Thank you for reading, and we'll see you tomorrow.

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