Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! On April 30th, we remember the end of Nazi Germany as Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide in a bunker in Berlin. We also recall the intense battle for the Reichstag, which was captured by Soviet forces, and the sinking of the HMS Edinburgh, which was carrying valuable war supplies and Soviet gold when it was attacked by a German U-boat. Join us as we reflect on these significant events and pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much during this turbulent period in history.

“We could do with some of those razor blades, Herr Reichsmarshall.” - Field Marshall Erwin Rommel

Lost Gold

The sinking of the HMS Edinburgh and the loss of its precious cargo of Soviet gold was a significant event during World War II. The incident occurred in the Norwegian Sea on April 30, 1942, during the height of the German U-boat campaign against Allied shipping.

The HMS Edinburgh was an escort vessel that was part of the Allied convoy QP-11, which was en route to Murmansk, Russia. The convoy was carrying vital war supplies, including a shipment of Soviet gold that was intended to be used to pay for US weapons and other supplies.

The German submarine U-456, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Max Teichert, spotted the convoy and launched a surprise attack, firing two torpedoes at the HMS Edinburgh. One of the torpedoes struck the ship amidships, causing extensive damage, while the other ripped off the stern.

Despite the damage, the HMS Edinburgh managed to stay afloat and began limping towards Murmansk at a speed of just 3 knots, escorted by two British and two Soviet destroyers. However, the ship was in a vulnerable state and was soon spotted by German aircraft, which launched further attacks on the stricken vessel.

Eventually, the HMS Edinburgh sank, taking its precious cargo of Soviet gold with it. Only a small amount of the gold was ever recovered, and the loss was a significant blow to the Soviet war effort.

The sinking of the HMS Edinburgh was a reminder of the dangers faced by Allied shipping during the war, and of the efforts made by German U-boats to disrupt Allied supply lines. It was also a testament to the bravery and determination of the crew of the HMS Edinburgh and the escorting destroyers, who fought valiantly to protect the convoy and save as much of the cargo as possible.

The End of Adolf and Eva

Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun's deaths came at the end of a long period of sustained military aggression and atrocities by the Nazi regime. After years of expansionist policies and military campaigns, Germany found itself in a dire situation by 1945. The Soviet army had captured Berlin, and the Western Allies were closing in from the west. Hitler, who had always been an ideologically driven leader, refused to accept the inevitable defeat and insisted on fighting to the last man.

However, by late April, it became clear that the situation was hopeless. Hitler's inner circle, including his military commanders, had abandoned him, and the German people were increasingly weary of the war. Hitler and Braun, who had been in a relationship for many years, retreated to their bunker in Berlin, where they spent their final days.

On April 30, 1945, Hitler and Braun decided to take their lives. According to eyewitness accounts, Hitler shot himself in the head with a pistol while sitting on a couch in the bunker. Braun, who had recently married Hitler, also chose to commit suicide by taking cyanide. The couple's remains were then carried to the garden outside the bunker, where they were doused in gasoline and burned by Hitler's aides.

Hitler's last wishes were that his remains be burned so that they could not be used for propaganda purposes by his enemies. The exact location of their burial remains unknown, as the Soviets who discovered the bodies kept the location secret.

The death of Hitler and Braun marked the end of World War II in Europe and the beginning of a long period of post-war reconstruction and reconciliation. The events surrounding their deaths have been studied and analyzed by historians and scholars for decades, as they offer important insights into the destructive consequences of totalitarianism, war, and hatred.

The Reich Crumbles

The battle for the Reichstag was one of the most intense and brutal conflicts of the entire Second World War. The Soviet Red Army launched its final offensive against Berlin in mid-April 1945, and the battle for the city quickly became a struggle for survival for both the German defenders and the Soviet attackers.

The Reichstag was a heavily fortified building, and the Germans had prepared extensive defensive measures to protect it. The building was surrounded by anti-tank obstacles, minefields, and barbed wire, making it a formidable obstacle for the advancing Soviet troops.

Despite these obstacles, the Soviet Red Army was determined to capture the Reichstag, which was seen as a symbolic victory that would demonstrate the Soviet Union's power and resilience. On April 28, 1945, the Soviet troops launched a massive assault on the building, which was heavily defended by German SS troops.

The fighting was intense and brutal, with both sides engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat in the cramped and dark spaces of the Reichstag. The Germans had set up machine gun nests and bunkers throughout the building, and the Soviets had to fight their way through a maze of corridors and rooms, often using grenades and flamethrowers to clear out enemy positions.

Despite the fierce resistance, the Soviet troops slowly made progress, capturing one floor of the building after another. Finally, on April 30, 1945, the Soviet flag was raised over the Reichstag, signaling the building's capture and the symbolic end of the war in Europe.

The battle for the Reichstag resulted in heavy losses for both sides. Thousands of soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded in the fighting, and the building was left in ruins. However, the capture of the Reichstag was a major victory for the Soviet Union, and it marked the end of one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War.

Photo of the Day

A USS Independence radioman-gunner posing at his post on a Dauntless dive bomber, 30 Apr 1943.

As we wrap up today's edition of the Hidden History newsletter, we are reminded of the immense impact that the war had on the world and the millions of lives that were forever changed. April 30th marks the end of an era with the final moments of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun, the capture of the Reichstag by Soviet forces, and the sinking of the HMS Edinburgh. We honor the memory of those who lost their lives and pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who fought in the war. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the history of this pivotal time in our world's past.

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Have a great weekend :)

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